Chiefs take tumble at Kamloops

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – For the Kamloops Blazers, things were good. For the Spokane Chiefs, not so. Western Hockey League scoring leader J.C. Lipton had three goals in the first 81/2 minutes, running his season total to seven, to lead the Blazers to their seventh win in eight games, 5-1 over the visiting Chiefs. But for Liam Stewart’s third goal of the season late in the second period that drew Spokane within 3-1, the Chiefs had little to get excited about in losing for just the second time in seven games. They squandered four power-play opportunities, three when the outcome was still in doubt. WHL goal-scoring leader Mitch Holmberg, who had nine goals in the first six games, was shut out for the first time. Colin Valcourt saw a three-game goal-scoring streak end, as did Brenden Kichton’s streak of five games with an assist. Defenseman Tanner Mort from Post Falls was helped from the ice early in the third period after colliding with Kamloops’ Brandan Ranford. Mort did not return.