Strong third period boosts Chiefs

RED DEER, Alberta – Jackson Playfair’s first goal of the season capped a late charge and gave the Spokane Chiefs a 3-2 Western Hockey League win over the Red Deer Rebels on Saturday night.

Playfair’s goal, which came off a rebound with just more than 2 minutes left play, was Spokane’s third of the final period.

Mike Aviani got the rally started with a goal at 8:15 of the third. Mitch Holmberg gave the Chiefs (7-2-0-0) a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal a minute later.

The Rebels’ Haydin Fleury scored a power-play goal at 12:21 of the third to knot the game at 2 before Playfair’s eventual winner.

Wyatt Johnson gave Red Deer (6-5-0-0) an early advantage with a goal 30 seconds into the first period.

Holmberg’s goal was his league-leading 11th of the season. He has a point in all nine of Spokane’s games this season and leads the WHL with 23 points.

The Chiefs improved to 5-2 on the road this season. They play at Calgary today before five straight in Spokane, beginning Wednesday against Swift Current.