The Spokane Chiefs dealt a boatload of assets to acquire Andrew Cristall from the Kelowna Rockets earlier this week. While it took a game for some chemistry to form, Cristall’s acquisition is already paying big dividends after the Capitals’ 2023 second-round pick recorded a hat trick and notched seven points (3g, 4a) in just his second outing with the club.
Cristall, now wearing number 82 for Spokane, tied his single-game career-high in scoring against the Wenatchee Wild just a day after going without a point in two straight games for the first time this season. The huge night catapulted the 19-year-old winger to first in the WHL in scoring with 67 points (29g, 38a) in 30 games and led the Chiefs to a blowout 12-2 victory.
The Washington Capitals prospect got his first goal with Spokane on a power play 6:05 into the first period. Berkly Catton sent a cross-ice feed to Cristall, who pumped a one-time blast by goaltender Brendan Gee.
Cristall added his first assist of the game 7:50 later, feeding Catton for a 2-on-1 rush chance eventually finished off by Shea Van Olm. The Chiefs’ top line would combine again just 44 seconds into the second period as Catton dropped the puck to Cristall, who found Van Olm at the back door for a tap-in.
Catton, who ended up with six assists in the game, scored his lone goal 11:32 into the second frame after Cristall found him alone in front of the Wild net. Catton would return the favor 5:56 later, delivering a pass that Cristall would again one-time past Gee.
After the Chiefs scored two more goals with other lines on the ice, the top line returned for more damage 1:48 into the third period. Van Olm grabbed his hat trick marker assisted by Cristall and Catton, and Cristall followed 4:30 later with his third goal of the game.
Spokane’s first line combined for a staggering 19 points (7g, 12a) in the win. Cristall has seven games with four or more points this season and still leads all of the CHL (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) in points per game (2.23).
Cristall was named the First Star of the Game for his performance. The 2023 second-round draft selection is on pace for a 127-point season (55g, 72a) if he plays in the remaining 27 regular season games for Spokane.
Cristall’s next game for the Chiefs will likely be an emotional one as he will return to Prospera Place in Kelowna to take on a Rockets team that he has played on for the past five seasons. Cristall has the highest point-per-game average (1.55) in Kelowna franchise history among players who have played over 100 games.
