Kamloops starts fast, routs Chiefs 5-1

KAMLOOPS, British Columbia – Orrin Centazzo and Connor Zary scored two goals apiece, and the Kamloops Blazers beat the Spokane Chiefs 5-1 Tuesday night at Sandman Centre.

Kamloops took control late in the first period when Centazzo scored at the 15:20 mark and Zary doubled the lead 1 minute, 26 seconds later on the power play.

Ryley Appelt added another for the hosts in the second before Jaret Anderson-Dolan got Spokane on the board midway through the period with a power-play goal, assisted by Ty Smith and Riley Woods. Anderson-Dolan has scored in eight straight games, the second longest streak in the Western Hockey League this season.

Smith’s assist gave him 60 this season, tied for fourth most in the WHL, and takes him past his total of 59 from last season.

Centazzo and Zary scored two quick goals again, this time 1:37 apart, within the first two minutes of the third to give the Blazers (26-35-5-2, 59 points) a comfortable win.

Reece Klassen made 46 saves for the Chiefs (37-21-2-5, 81), who were outshot 51-28.

Spokane’s loss, coupled with Portland’s 4-1 win over Everett, almost certainly locks the Chiefs into third place in the U.S. Division. Spokane trails second-place Portland by five points with three games remaining.

Kamloops trails Kelowna by two points for the third and likely final playoff spot in the B.C. Division.

Chiefs add goalie

Spokane announced Tuesday the addition of goalie Campbell Arnold to the roster as an affiliated player.