The Vancouver Giants lost 3-2 in overtime to the Spokane Chiefs in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinal last night in Spokane.
With the victory, the Chiefs tie the WHL playoff series 2-2, making it a best of three contest.
For the second straight game, the Chiefs opened the scoring in the first period as captain Darren Kramer netted his first of the post season to give Spokane a 1-0 lead through 20 minutes. The Giants were outshot 10 goals to three.
In the second period, the Giants continued to struggle to generate chances and the Chiefs would take advantage, getting a goal from Liam Stewart just before the midway point of the period to put the Chiefs in front 2-0 through 40 minutes. The Giants managed just 10 shots in the first two periods.
The Giants came to life nine minutes into the third period. Right off the faceoff, Jackson Houck's shot went off the post and Austin Fyten banged home his second goal of the post season to cut the lead to 2-1.
The Giants continued to press. On the power play Neil Manning had Spokane goaltender Eric Williams beat, but not the post. The score remained 2-1 into the final minute.
With the extra attacker on, Jordan Martinook found a streaking Brendan Gallagher who made no mistake and wrested home his fourth goal of the playoffs with 31.6 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime.
Mitch Holmberg scored nearly seven minutes into extra time to give the Chiefs a 3-2 victory.
Final shots were 28-23 in favour of Spokane. The home team has won every game so far in this series.
There was a grand total of three power plays combined on the night. The Giants went 0-for-1, while the Chiefs finished 0-for-2.
Game 5 is Friday night at the Pacific Coliseum. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. and the pregame show begins at 7 p.m. on AM 650.
