Chiefs shutout by Winterhawks, 3-0

Portland scored two first period goals and never looked back as they defeated the Chiefs 3-0 in front of 6,007 fans at the Spokane Arena Friday night. Eric Williams stopped 34 shots as the Chiefs fell to 16-8-0-0 at home and 30-17-2-0 overall.

Spokane was snakebit by penalties in the first period as five power plays for Portland led to a pair of Winterhawks’ goals. Ty Rattie beat Williams stick side for the first score of the game at 10:29 and Nicolas Petan added another goal at 17:27 to put Portland ahead 2-0.

The Chiefs best scoring opportunity came in the final 10 seconds of the period as the Winterhawks turned over the puck in their own zone, but Mitch Holmberg’s shot on the breakaway sailed wide of the net. Portland outshot Spokane 19-7 for the period.

Reid Gow nearly scored the Chiefs first goal of the game at the 3:10 mark of the second but his shot caromed off the left post. Adam Helewka suffered a similar fate less than a minute later as his scoring attempt clanged harmlessly off the right post.

Spokane spent the majority of the period on the attack but they came up empty handed on five power plays as Carruth turned away all 15 shots he faced. Williams stopped eight Winterhawks shots in the period to keep the Chiefs within two goals.

Riley Whittingham had a chance to close the gap with a penalty shot at the 2:01 mark in the third but Carruth’s pad save kept Spokane off the board. Portland added a goal from Brendan Leipsic at 14:01 to provide the final margin.

Williams finished 34 of 37 on save opportunities while Carruth was perfect on 36 chances for Portland. Spokane went 0 for 7 on the power play and 4 for 7 on the penalty kill.

Tonight’s three stars: Ty Rattie (1st), Mac Carruth (2nd), and Nicolas Petan (3rd).