Chiefs lose chance at record 5-0 start

PORTLAND – The Spokane Chiefs’ chance at a club-record 5-0 start fell apart in a matter of 5 minutes on Wednesday. The defending Western Hockey League champion Portland Winterhawks scored four goals during a 5-minute span of the first period on the way to a 6-4 win over the Chiefs at Moda Center. Spokane, which tied a club record last Saturday by starting the season 4-0, had outscored rivals 20-6 and hadn’t allowed more than two goals in a game. Alex Schoenborn had two goals and one assist during the telling stretch that gave Portland (3-1-0-1) a 4-1 lead. Mitch Holmberg, who leads the WHL with 17 points, had three assists and Spokane rallied within 5-4 on power-play goals at 16:07 and 17:21 of the third period. But Nicolas Petan’s empty-netter at 19:42 gave the Winterhawks some insurance.