A couple of first period goals where James Reid couldn't control the puck and his defense wasn't there to bail him out cost the Spokane Chiefs in their West Hockey League playoff game with the Tri-City Americans.

Kruise Reddick and Brendan Shinniman took advantage and then Jordan Messier added a goal midway through the third period to give the Americans a 3-1 win in the best-of-7 opener at the Arena. Game 2 is tonight in the Arena.

The Chiefs out-shot the Americans but struggled to get the puck past Drew Owsley, who ddin't have to make a lot of specular plays. Steve Kuhn had the Spokane goal late in the first period.

Though Reid gave up those early goals he also stopped a third period penalty shot by Carter Ashton.

Three stars: 3, Reddick; 2, Kuhn; 1, Owsley.

Long box below.

Americans 3, Chiefs 1

Spokane – Saturday

First period

1, TC, Reddick 1 (J.Messier) 3:41.

2, TC, Shinnimin 2 (Hughesman) 14:03.

3, Spo, Kuhn 3 (Marantz, Cowen) 16:23.

Penalties – None.

Second period

No Scoring.

Penalties – Yuen, TC (cross checking), Kramer, Spo (roughing) 11:53; Ashton, TC (charging) 14:20; Koper, Spo (slashing) 14:50.

Third period

4, TC, J.Messier 2 (Reddick, Sohor) 9:38.

Penalties – Johnson, Spo (hooking-penalty shot) 4:13.

Penalty shot – Carter Ashton (TC), stopped by James Reid.

Shots on goal by
Tri-City     11-3-4_18
Spokane    18-9-8_35

Goal (shots-saves) — Tri-City: Owsley (W, 5-0-0) 35-34. Spokane: Reid (L, 4-2-0) 18-14.

Power plays (goals-chances) — Tri-City 0-1; Spokane 0-1.

Referees — Trent Knorr, Nathan Wieler. Linesmen — Justin Hull, Nathan Van Oosten.

Attendance – 8,215.

 Scratches – Tri-City: Eric Comrie, Clinton Atkinson, Marcus Messier, Max Moline. Spokane: Cole Hamblin, Marek Kalus, Mitch Holmberg, Reid Gow.

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