Ben Betker’s career night carries Everett past Chiefs

EVERETT – Everett defenseman Ben Betker enjoyed a career night before the first period had ended Friday night.

Betker, a 20-year-old who was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 2013, registered three of his four assists in the first period as the Silvertips defeated the Spokane Chiefs 5-3 at Xfinity Arena.

Betker, who had never recorded more than two points in a game during his four seasons in the Western Hockey League, ruined a record night for Chiefs left wing Adam Helewka.

Helewka’s 26th goal of the season, scored at 13 minutes, 15 seconds of the second period, trimmed Everett’s lead to 4-3 and gave the 19-year-old a goal in a club-record nine consecutive games. Helewka shares the record with three players, most recently Marian Cisar in 1997-98.

Everett (26-12-3-1, 58 points) leads the U.S. Division by seven points over Portland, which defeated Prince George in a shootout to leap past the Chiefs (23-16-3-1, 50) into second place.

Everett led 3-0 after less than 8 minutes as Betker assisted on Dawson Leedahl’s goal at 28 seconds and Matt Fonteyne’s shorthanded goal at 7:40.

The Chiefs rallied on goals by Curtis Miske and Markson Bechtold (shorthanded, assisted by Helewka) but trailed 4-2 after one period. Spokane’s Garret Hughson replaced Tyson Verhelst in goal and stopped 15 of 16 shots.