Spokane Chiefs left wing Taylor Ross (on left) celebrates Spokane Chiefs center Jaret Anderson-Dolan (11) goal against Tri-City Americans goalie Nicholas Sanders (30) during the first period of a WHL hockey game, Fri., March 11, 2016, in the Spokane Arena. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Tri-City Americans goalie Evan Sarthou (31) stops a goal attempt by Spokane Chiefs left wing Dominic Zwerger (22) during the first period of a WHL hockey game, Fri., March 11, 2016, in the Spokane Arena. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs center Markson Bechtold (back to glass) celebrates scoring the Chiefs third goal against Tri- City in the first period, Fri., March 11, 2016, in the Spokane Arena. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Tri-City Americans left wing Maxwell James (being restrained by referee) takes a swing at Spokane Chiefs center Markson Bechtold (12) during the second period of a WHL hockey game, Fri., March 11, 2016, in the Spokane Arena. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Tri-City scores their first goal of the night against Spokane Chiefs goalie Tyson Verhelst (31) during the second period of a WHL hockey game, Fri., March 11, 2016, in the Spokane Arena. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Tri-City Americans left wing Nolan Yaremko (22) and Tri-City Americans left wing Maxwell James (20) chase Spokane Chiefs right wing Keanu Yamamoto (9) and the puck during the second period of a WHL hockey game, Fri., March 11, 2016, in the Spokane Arena. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Tri-City Americans defenseman Dylan Coghlan (10) and Spokane Chiefs left wing Dominic Zwerger (22) check each other during the second period of a WHL hockey game, Fri., March 11, 2016, in the Spokane Arena. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane right wing Keanu Yamamoto (9) scores the chiefs fourth goal during the second period of a WHL hockey game, Fri., March 11, 2016, in the Spokane Arena. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
The Spokane Chiefs play the Tri-City Americans at home in the Spokane Arena, Friday, March 11, 2016.
In a must-win game to reach the playoffs, the Spokane Chiefs put on an offensive show and crushed visiting Tri-City Americans 6-1 Friday night to get some breathing room. The Chiefs (31-27-5-4, 71 points) now hold a six point lead over the Americans (31-34-2-1, 65 points) for the Western Conference’s final playoff spot with five games to play.