German goalie pitches shutout as Spokane Chiefs blank Brandon 4-0

Linus Vieillard makes 22 saves in front of visiting parents for his first WHL shutout

Feb. 1, 2026 at 1:55am

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The Spokane Chiefs scored four first-period goals and cruised to a 4-0 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday. Goalie Linus Vieillard made 22 saves for his first WHL shutout, with his parents in attendance for the game.

Why it matters

The win halted a three-game losing streak for the Chiefs, who are fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Hockey League. Vieillard's shutout performance in front of his visiting parents was a feel-good moment for the young German goaltender.

The details

The Chiefs scored four goals in the first period, including tallies from Rhett Sather, Sam Oremba, Tristen Buckley, and Logan Wormald. Vieillard made several key saves, including stopping a breakaway attempt in the second period to preserve the shutout. The Chiefs killed off several penalties in the third period to hold on for the victory.

  • The game started 15 minutes late due to military appreciation night ceremonies.
  • The Chiefs scored their four first-period goals between 3:10 and 14:21 of the opening frame.

The players

Linus Vieillard

The German goaltender made 22 saves for his first WHL shutout, with his parents in attendance for the game.

Rhett Sather

Scored the opening goal for the Chiefs in the first period.

Sam Oremba

Scored the Chiefs' second goal in the first period, his team-leading 18th goal of the season.

Tristen Buckley

Scored the Chiefs' third goal in the first period, his sixth of the season.

Logan Wormald

Scored the Chiefs' fourth goal in the first period, his 17th of the season.

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What they’re saying

“It feels amazing. My parents are in the building, so there's nothing better. It's very special to me, and I'm glad they saw my first WHL shutout.”

— Linus Vieillard

“We knew they were on their long road trip, and obviously the start was important for us. I thought our five-on-five game was okay (Friday) night (a 4-1 loss to Everett). I thought we came out the right way against a team that has been on the road a long time.”

— Brad Lauer, Chiefs coach

What’s next

The Chiefs will look to build on this win as they continue to fight for a playoff spot in the Western Hockey League. Their next game is on Tuesday against the Tri-City Americans.

The takeaway

Vieillard's shutout performance in front of his visiting parents was a heartwarming moment, and the Chiefs' four-goal outburst in the first period showed their ability to capitalize on an opponent's fatigue from a long road trip. The win was a much-needed boost for the Chiefs as they push for a postseason berth.