Chiefs win finale, will face Chilliwack in playoffs

The Spokane Chiefs closed the Western Hockey League regular season with a 6-3 win at Portland on Sunday.

Spokane, whose playoff fate as the third seed in the Western Conference was determined on Saturday, will face Chilliwack in the first round of the playoffs, beginning Friday at Chilliwack.

The Chiefs fell behind the Winterhawks 2-0 and 3-1 before rallying to win. Anthony Bardaro scored a pair of goals. Seldom-used rookie Malek Kalus and 16-year-old Connor Chartier also scored. Darren Kramer had the game winner.

Spokane (48-18-4-2) finished with 103 points, one behind Portland (50-18-0-3), which is the top seed.

Tyler Johnson picked up one assist and scored an empty-net goal to finish with 115 points, one behind scoring champion Linden Vey of Medicine Hat. Johnson’s 53 goals led the league.