Late goal lifts Kootenay over Spokane, 4-3

CRANBROOK, B.C. -- The Spokane Chiefs opened their home and home series with the Kootenay Ice with a 4-3 loss in Cranbrook on Friday night.

Kootenay’s Max Reinhart scored a short-handed goal to give the Ice a 1-0 lead 13:56 into the first period.

The Chiefs Kenton Miller would counter with short-handed goal of his own at 14:29 to even the game at one. Miller’s first goal of the season was assisted by Steve Kuhn.

Mitch Holmberg’s first WHL goal would lift the Chiefs to a 2-1 lead at 16:09 of the period. T.C. Cratsenberg took an Anthony Bardaro pass on the right wing and found a wide open Holmberg by the left post.

Dustin Sylvester would even the game for Kootenay 1:03 later to make it 2-2 after the first period. The Chiefs outshot the Ice 18-9 in the first.

Brayden McNabb’s slap-shot at 8:11 of the second period gave the Ice a 3-2 lead.

The Chiefs Jared Cowen would bring Spokane back to a 3-3 tie with his third goal of the season, on the power play at 19:11 of the period. Stephan Ulmer and Mitch Wahl each had an assist, their team leading 7th of the season.

Hayden Rintoul’s power play goal at 9:41 of the third period gave Kootenay a 4-3 lead and proved to be the ultimate game winner. Spokane outshot Kootenay 38-30 on the night.

The Chiefs return home to host the Ice on Saturday night at 7pm.