Rockets stop Chiefs

KELOWNA, British Columbia – Jamie Benn scored two goals and Colin Long had a goal and three assists to power the Kelowna Rockets to a 4-1 win over the Spokane Chiefs in Western Hockey League action Wednesday at Prospera Place.

The loss leaves the Chiefs (42-21-0-3) just one point ahead of the fourth-place Rockets (41-21-1-3) in the Western Conference standings. Spokane trails U.S. Division-leading Tri-City by 10 points with six games remaining in the regular season. Vancouver drubbed the visiting Americans 6-2 on Wednesday.

Long staked Kelowna to a 1-0 lead 4 minutes, 35 seconds into the first period with his 31st goal of the season and picked up an assist on each of the Rockets’ next three goals.

Benn’s 40th goal of the season put Kelowna up 2-0 at the 13:58 mark of the opening period and Mikael Backlund’s power-play goal increased the lead to 3-0 at 8:54 in the second.

Brady Calla netted Spokane’s lone goal – a power-play score with 2:44 left in the second. It was Calla’s 14th goal overall and his ninth since joining the Chiefs at the trade deadline.

Benn added a short-handed goal at 7:38 in the third.

Kelowna is 3-0 against Spokane this season and has held the Chiefs to two goals.

Spokane heads to Prince George for 7 p.m. games on Friday and Saturday.