That is saying something when you realize the Winterhawks can light up a scoreboard too.
On Thursday night playing before 4,558 spectators at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the visiting Chiefs outgunned the Winterhawks 6-4 in Game 4 of the WHL’s Western Conference Championship Series. With the win, the Chiefs sweep the best-of-seven set 4-0. The Chiefs outscored the Winterhawks 28-18 over the four games in the series.
Spokane advances to the WHL Championship Series for the first time since 2008. In 2008, the Chiefs captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions and claimed the Memorial Cup as CHL champions. That Chiefs team included stars Drayson Bowman, Mitch Wahl, Chris Bruton, Jared Spurgeon and Dustin Tokarski.
The Chiefs will face the Medicine Hat Tigers in this year’s best-of-seven WHL Championship Series. The Tigers swept away the Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Championship Series. Medicine Hat concluded that set with a 5-3 victory over a host Lethbridge side on Wednesday.
In Thursday’s clash between the Chiefs and Winterhawks, star right-winger Andrew Cristall powered the Spokane side with two goals, one assist and a plus-two rating in the plus-minus department. Cristall leads the WHL Playoffs in goals (20) and points (37).
Chiefs star left-winger Shea Van Olm and star import centre Rasmus Ekstrom each had one goal and one assist. Coco Armstrong and Owen Martin each picked up singles for the Chiefs.
Breakout rookie 19-year-old right-winger Alex Weiermair powered the Winterhawks with two goals, one assist and a plus-one rating. Star defenceman Tyson Jugnauth had three assists, while captain Kyle Chyzowski had two helpers.
Star left-winger Josh Zakreski had one goal and one assist for Portland, while Ryan Miller picked up a single.
Dawson Cowan stopped 39 shots to pick up the win in goal for the Chiefs. Rookie 17-year-old import netminder Ondrej Stebetak turned away 39-of-44 shots to take the setback in net for the Winterhawks.
The Chiefs exited the first period holding a 2-1 lead. When the Chiefs and Winterhawks were locked in a 1-1 draw in the opening frame, Winterhawks star centre Diego Buttazzoni took a major penalty for cross-checking to the head and a game misconduct. The league will automatically review those infractions for a possible suspension to be applied if Buttazzoni returns for his 19-year-old season in the 2025-26 campaign.
The two sides proceeded to conclude the second period locked in a 3-3 tie.
Just 24 seconds into the third period, Zakreski scored his 11th of the post-season to give the Winterhawks 4-3 lead.
The Chiefs responded scoring three straight goals in the final 5:47 of the third. Ekstrom netted the equalizer that forced a 4-4 tie with 5:47 remaining in the third.
Martin scored the game and series winner with 3:11 remaining in the third to put the Chiefs up 5-4. Van Olm rounded out the contest’s scoring with an empty-net goal with 93 seconds remaining in the third.
Spokane finished fourth overall in the WHL during the regular season with a 45-20-1-2 mark, while Portland was 12th overall with a 36-28-3-1 record. The Winterhawks won two series that went seven games to make the Western Conference Championship Series.
The Chiefs took out the Vancouver Giants in five games in the first round and eliminated the Victoria Royals in six games in a Western Conference semifinal series. Spokane is currently riding a seven game winning streak.
Looking ahead to the WHL final, the Tigers topped the Eastern Conference and finished second overall in the WHL’s regular season with a 47-17-3-1 mark. In their last 47 games between the regular season and playoffs, the Tigers are an impressive 40-4-2-1. Medicine Hat has also won 10 straight games.
The Chiefs and Tigers met once in the regular season back on January 24 the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Medicine Hat claimed that encounter 3-2.
The Tigers will have home ice advantage for the WHL Championship Series. The schedule for that seven game set is still to be announced.
If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.
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