EVERETT - Despite outshooting the Tri-City Americans by a 44-21 margin the Spokane Chiefs dropped a 3-2 decision to the Ams on Friday night in their opener in Everett at the Silvertips Pre-Season Classic. Newcomer Bruin McDonald had one goal and one assist for the Chiefs in their first of three games in as many days this weekend.
Tri-City took a 2-0 lead in the first period with two power play goals by Matt Hughesman at 11:13 and 18:23.
The 18-year-old McDonald then put the Chiefs on the board at 9:03 of the second with the Chiefs skating on a man-advantage of their own. The defenseman,entering his third full season in the WHL after spending the previous two with the Prince George Cougars, was acquired in a mid-August trade. The goal was assisted by veteran defenseman Brenden Kichton.
Second year center Anthony Bardaro tied the game 4:44 into the third with the Chiefs and Americans skating five-aside. Tri-City's Connor Rankin scored the game winner at 7:45.
The Chiefs enjoyed one of their four power play chances with seven-and-a-half minutes remaining but couldn't put the puck past the American's Chris Driedger again. He finished with 42 saves. Spokane was 1-4 on the power play and 7-9 on the penalty kill.
Spokane split goaltending duties between Mac Engel, a19-year-old from Red Deer, and Chris Sharkey, an 18-year-old from Edmonton. Engel started, played 35:07 and made 13 saves on 15 chances while Sharkey made five saves on six shots in 24:07.
Both goaltenders were a part of the 10 rookies that appeared for the Chiefs on Friday afternoon.
Spokane will skate at 11:30 on Saturday against the Seattle Thunderbirds and Sunday versus the Portland Winterhawks.
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