Former Viper Walchuk Falls Short In Game 7 Loss To Americans:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Dylan Walchuk and the WHL Spokane Chiefs season come to an end last night after a tough 3-2 to the Tri City Americans in Game 7 of the Western Conference semi-finals. The Americans win the series 4 games to 3. In 34 regular season games with the Chiefs this season Walchuk collected (10-14-24) In 13 playoff games Walchuk collected (0-6-6). Walchuk played two years in Vernon (2009-2011) before going to Northern Michigan University this season. After just 19 games with the Wildcats Walchuk returned to Vernon just before the Christmas break playing in just 6 games Walchuk left the Vipers at the BCHL trade deadline day joining the WHL Spokane Chiefs.

Dylan Walchuk's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=122281

This is posted on the Chiefs website:

CHIEFS FALL SHORT IN GAME 7 AT TRI CITIES 3-2

April 19, 2012

Despite 45 saves from goaltender Eric Williams, the Spokane Chiefs saw the Tri City Americans erase a 2-1 Spokane lead in the third period with two late goals to rally to a 3-2 win in game 7 of the two teams Western Conference semi-final series. With the win, the Americans took the best of 7 series 4 games to 3, and ended the Chiefs season.

Spokane jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period when Dominick Uher tipped a Blake Gal shot net front on the power play with just 1:12 left in the frame. Uher's 5th goal of the playoffs was also the 4th straight post season game that Uher scored a goal. Dylan Walchuk also picked up an assist, as the Chiefs were outshot 14-4 in the first. After denying all 14 Ams shots in the first, Williams turned aside 14 of 15 Tri City shots in the second. The Americans Brian Williams was the only one to break through with the tying goal just over 5 minutes into the second to tie the game at 2 after two periods.

The Chiefs would jump out to a 2-1 lead at 5:47 of the third when Mitch Holmberg scored his team high 11th goal of the playoffs on Mike Aviani's team high 12th assist of the post season. Williams continued to make save after save, many at point blank range until the Americans broke through late in the game. Malte Stromwall scored with less than 6 minutes left to tie the game at two. The Ams Brendan Shinnimin then tallied just 64 seconds later to give Tri City their first lead of the night. Spokane would pull Williams with about a minute and a half left in the game, but couldn't get the equalizing goal.

Tri City outshot Spokane 48-19 in the game. The Chiefs went 1-1 on the power play and 3-3 on the penalty kill. The game marked the final contest for Uher, Steve Kuhn, Corey Baldwin and Darren Kramer for Spokane. The Chiefs will prepare for the 2012-2013 season when training camp opens the final weekend of August at the Spokane Arena.