Yamamoto scores twice as Chiefs defeat Americans

KENNEWICK – Keanu Yamamoto scored twice during Spokane’s four-goal second period and the Chiefs breezed to a 5-2 victory over the Tri-City Americans in Western Hockey League play on Thursday at the Toyota Center.

After a scoreless first period, Parker Bowles staked the Americans (15-20-2-0) to a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 1:38 in the second.

Yamamoto pulled the Chiefs (19-14-3-1) even with a goal at 5:03. Markson Bechtold, Ethan McIndoe and Yamamoto all scored over a 3:23 span late in the second to take control of the annual New Year’s Eve clash.

Domonic Zwerger capped the scoring for Spokane with a third-period netter.

Goalie Tyson Verhelst stopped 22 of 24 shots to notch the victory. Spokane outshot Tri-City 37-24.