Fiddler, Chiefs remain on fire

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – Todd Fiddler and the Spokane Chiefs continued to heat up the Western Hockey League on Wednesday night. Fiddler scored his league-leading 23rd goal and the Chiefs registered their fifth consecutive win – and their 12th in the last 15 games – with a 4-1 decision over the Saskatoon Blades. Spokane (21-7-1-0, 43 points) improved to 4-0 on its six-game swing through the East Division. The Chiefs are 10-0 against the East in the last two years, including a 5-3 win over the Blades last year in Spokane. Spokane recorded its fifth consecutive road win to improve to 9-5-1-0. Fiddler, playing in his native province, recorded his 11th goal in the last eight games. Fiddler’s score from the point at 4 minutes and 4 seconds of the first period, assisted by Mike Aviani and Jackson Playfair, gave him 22 goals and 30 points in his last 19 games. Aviani notched his 28th point in the last 19 games. Liam Stewart, Blake Gal and Mitch Holmberg also scored for the Chiefs, who are 16-6 against the Blades since 1995-96. Holmberg’s second-period goal, assisted by Dylan Walchuk, was his 16th of the season. Chiefs goaltender Eric Williams stopped 30 of 31 shots to improve to 10-2-1-0 in his last 13 games. Saskatoon outshot Spokane 31-22. Matej Stransky scored for the Blades (13-14-0-1), the host team for this year’s Memorial Cup. The Chiefs have a travel day today and will finish their long road trip with games at Brandon, Manitoba, on Friday and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, on Saturday. Spokane’s next home game is Dec. 14 against Seattle.