SPOKANE — Malte Strömwall scored the game-winner just 21 seconds into overtime to lead the Tri-City Americans past the Spokane Chiefs 4-3 on Saturday night, silencing a packed house of 10,366 at Spokane Arena.
“It was a great one. No better way to describe it,” said Tri-City coach Jim Hiller, whose team has won three in a row over the Chiefs.
The Americans (27-17-1-2, 57 points) trail the fourth-place Chiefs (28-16-2-0, 58 points) by a point in the Western Confer-ence standings. Spokane has lost three in a row.
Luke Lee-Knight was spectacular in net for the Americans, posting 39 saves against his former team.
“He made some great saves,” Hiller said. “A handful of the sensational variety.”
Parker Bowles scored two goals for Tri-City, while Jesse Mychan, with his sixth goal in four games, gave the Americans a 3-2 lead at 11:23 of the third period. Justin Feser added two assists.
Spokane’s Dylan Walchuk tied the score at 3-3 with a power-play goal at 14:40.
Todd Fiddler and Carter Proft also scored for the Chiefs, while Eric Williams finished with 18 saves.
The Americans and Chiefs are tied at 4-4 with four games remaining in their 12-game series.
Tri-City begins a four-game home stretch Tuesday against Seattle, while Medicine Hat is at Toyota Center on Friday and Portland visits Saturday.
