Tri-City gets early lead, tops Spokane

KENNEWICK – Tri-City jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and the U.S. Division-leading Americans beat the rival Spokane Chiefs 4-1 in Western Hockey League action Saturday night at the Toyota Center. The loss was Spokane’s fourth to Tri-City (29-7-0-0) in five meetings this season. The Americans have won 10 in a row. Michael Plutnar and Patrick Holland scored first-period goals to give T-C the advantage. The Chiefs’ Marek Kalus scored late in the first for Spokane’s lone goal. Tri-City’s Jordan Messier scored in the second and Justin Freser capped the scoring with an unassisted third-period goal. Spokane failed to score on five straight power-play opportunities in the second and third periods. The Chiefs (17-12-2-4) wrap up their four-game road trip at Kelowna (14-18-2-3) on Wednesday. Spokane beat the Rockets 4-1 last Tuesday.