Chiefs can’t crawl back

EVERETT, Wash. — The Spokane Chiefs got behind early and were unable to recover on the road against the Everett Silvertips as they fell 3-2 Sunday night.

Shane Harper scored on a wrap-around for the first goal. Kellan Tochkin followed with two goals in less than a minute to give Everett a 3-0 lead. The first was a deflection, and the second a light snap shot on the power play. The third goal chased Spokane goaltender James Reid, who was relieved by Michael Tadjdeh.

The Chiefs got on the board in the second period with Mitch Holmberg’s third goal of the season at the 10:30 mark.

Levko Koper closed the scoring off a pass from Tyler Johnson in the left corner.

“Tonight was a case of too many uncharacteristic goals scored by Everett,” said Spokane coach Hardy Sauter.

Both teams were 1 of 2 on power-play opportunities.

Spokane was without forward Blake Gal, who was suspended by the WHL for the game after receiving a major penalty in Saturday’s win over Tri-City. He will return for the Chiefs next game, Tuesday at Kamloops.