Chiefs lose, prepare for regular season

KENNEWICK – The Spokane Chiefs dropped just their second game of the pre-season with a 4-2 loss at the hands of the Tri-City Americans on Saturday in Kennewick.

Spokane finished the seven-game exhibition season at 5-2. The Chiefs will take today off before gearing up through the week for the regular season opener on Saturday in Cranbrook, British Columbia, versus the Kootenay Ice.

Ondrej Roman scored for the second time in as many nights to stake the Chiefs to 1-0 lead at 6:33 of the first period.

Spokane took a 2-0 lead with a Seth Compton goal at 4:25 of the second, but his goal was bettered by three from Tri-City as the Americans took a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes. Tri-City’s Michael Kaye, Alex Aldred and Joel Broda scored at 7:34, 9:51 and 11:59, respectively.

Despite outshooting Tri- City 12-4 in the third period, the Chiefs couldn’t push the equalizer past Chet Pickard, who went the distance for the Americans. Tri-City added a goal with 21 seconds remaining while Spokane’s starter, Kevin Armstrong, was on the bench.