Spokane leads Portland 2-0 in Western Conference finals

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on April 30, 2025.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

The Spokane Chiefs are in control in the Western Conference.

The highest remaining seed in the conference holds a 2-0 lead over the Portland Winterhawks in the best-of-seven, third-round series that has seen break-neck scoring changes.

Spokane opened the series with a 10-4 win Friday at home in a game that saw eight goals scored in the first period. Two Chiefs, captain Berkly Catton and line mate Shea Van Olm, came out of the win with four-point efforts.

On Sunday the two teams traded punches, with Portland leading 2-1 after 20 minutes and Spokane adding two goals of their own in the middle frame for a 3-3 score after 40 minutes.

The two sides each scored in the third period, Spokane led 2-0 in the first 10 minutes of the final frame before Portland tallied a pair to send the game into overtime.

Spokane forward Chase Harrington scored the overtime winner 2:25 into the extra frame, giving the Chiefs the commanding 2-0 lead.

Medicine Hat product Ryan Miller scored in the second period of Portland’s loss for his third goal and 11th point of the playoffs.

The Winterhawks return home for Games 3 and 4 tonight and Thursda; if needed Game 5 of the series would remain in Portland on Saturday.

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