Rutherford scores in 4th straight

CHILLIWACK, British Columbia – The Spokane Chiefs aren’t about to let their guard down just because they have clinched a spot in the Western Hockey League playoffs.

David Rutherford increased his goal-scoring streak to four games and the Chiefs followed up Saturday night’s playoff berth-clinching victory with a 5-2 win over the Chilliwack Bruins (22-23-3-1) on Sunday night.

The Chiefs, who outshot the Bruins 43-7 in the final two periods, increased their Western Conference and U.S. Division lead to three points over Tri-City after the Americans fell 3-1 to the Seattle Thunderbirds on Sunday.

Ondrej Roman had a three-point night with a goal and two assists and Levko Koper and Tyler Johnson each had two helpers.

Chiefs captain Chris Bruton scored his 19th goal of the season, Mitch Wahl netted his 15th and Seth Compton scored an empty-net goal to round out the scoring for Spokane (36-10-1-3).

Kevin Armstrong turned away 13 shots to improve to 16-5-1-1 between the posts for the Chiefs.

Chiefs forward Curtis Kelner left in the first period with an undisclosed injury and didn’t return to the ice. His status is unknown.

Spokane plays its next two games on the road – Tuesday in Kamloops and Friday against Kootenay – before hosting the Ice in the second half of a home-and-home series on Saturday night at the Arena.