The Tigers scored 55 seconds into the game, but a massive first-period response powered the Spokane Chiefs to a 6–2 win in enemy territory.
Spokane has tied the WHL championship series 1–1, stealing one on the road in Medicine Hat on Sunday.
The Chiefs got on the scoreboard at 6:50 of the first period, then added three more goals in an impressive 4:36 span.
“It’s the response we wanted,” said Chiefs head coach Brad Lauer. “We didn’t want to give up that first goal that quickly, but I thought our kids… it didn’t faze them. I thought we stuck with it and found a way.”
Chiefs goaltender Dawson Cowan stopped 19 of 21 shots to preserve the win and held the Tigers to 1-for-4 on the power play.
Spokane’s statement victory also saw the Chiefs snap Gavin McKenna’s modern CHL record point streak at 54 games.
McKenna, the projected first-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, hadn’t been held without a point since Nov. 2, 2024.
The series now shifts south of the border to Spokane for Games 3 through 5. Game 3 is set for Tuesday, May 13, at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. TSN will carry the entire series for Canadian viewers, while American audiences can stream it online.
The series winner will advance to the 2025 Memorial Cup in Rimouski, Que., which is scheduled for Friday, May 22, through Sunday, June 1.
Cochrane's Ethan Neutens and Kadon McCann play for the Tigers.