Spokane Chiefs, overwhelmed by the second with three goals, fall in the series finale against Seattle Thunderbirds

Before the COVID-19 pandemic stalled everything last March, the Spokane Chiefs ended their season in the Western Hockey League with a goalkeeper goal.

This year it was a goalkeeper fight.

It was the only fight Spokane could unleash when they ended the short 2021 season on a thud, dropping a 3-0 decision against the Seattle Thunderbirds at the Accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington. The Chiefs finish the season in fourth place in the US Division, just ahead of the Tri-City Americans.

Mason Beaupit hit an astonishing 58 shots in the net for Spokane and exchanged blows against goalkeeper Jackson Berry from Seattle 31 seconds before the end. Both received an early exit.

The fight began after Berry ran a light blow on Spokane’s Reed Jacobson after the whistle.

It was the culmination of a frustrating night for the Chiefs and Beaupit, who played remarkably well online and kept the score from getting too far out of control.

Spokane was only able to fire 21 shots at Berry.

Keltie Jeri-Leon continued his dominance of the Chiefs, scoring his seventh goal against Spokane that season. He also added a support.

Jeri-Leon opened the scoring 33 seconds in the second period of the power play. Luke Toporowski was in the box for Spokane after receiving a suspension penalty at the end of the first half.

From there it didn’t get any better for the Chiefs as they abandoned 24 shots in the net in the second half alone. Mekai Sanders scored his first goal of the season at 10:53 a.m.

Five minutes later, Sam Oremba scored his second power play win of the season after being left alone in the left circle.

Special teams were a problem for Spokane as the Chiefs allowed Seattle to score two goals in three power games. The Chiefs’ power game was ineffective and went scoreless with three chances.

Both the Chiefs and the Thunderbirds played their third game in as many nights. However, Seattle played at home on Saturday while Spokane’s three games were out.

Nor did the Chiefs take advantage of the fact that Seattle was understaffed.

The Thunderbirds only drew 17 skaters, one less than the Standard 18. The Thunderbirds had dropped to 11 strikers thanks to injuries and a suspension from Cade McNelly, who was punished for a hit against Everett on Saturday.

The game was the last for 20-year-old Eli Zummack, Matt Leduc and Bobby Russell. Spokane finished their 21-game season 6-10-4-1. Adam Beckman was the team’s top scorer with 17 goals and 10 assists. Zummack had nine goals and 13 assists.