Chiefs Succumb To Tri-City Americans Take Over First Place With 5-1 Victory Over Spokane

Tri-City defeated Spokane for the fourth straight time Sunday night, prevailing 5-1 in a game that moved the Americans ahead of the Chiefs and into sole possession of first place in the Western Hockey League West Division.

The loss, witnessed by 5,960 at the Tri-City Coliseum, was the Chiefs’ second straight and dropped Spokane to 24-11-3 on the season - two points behind the Americans (26-12-2).

Tri-City improved to 4-3 against Spokane by taking charge early, jumping to a 2-0 first-period lead on unassisted goals from Dan Focht and Mike Hurley.

The Americans proved efficient no matter the situation - Focht’s goal, which ricocheted off a Chiefs defender past goalie David Lemanowicz, came on the power play.

Hurley’s effort came short-handed after the Tri-City center stole the puck from Shawn Gillam.

Tri-City continued its domination in the second period, using a pair of power-play goals to make it 4-0.

Hurley added his second of the game - with Greg Leeb and Dmitri Leonov watching from the penalty box for Spokane - and Byron Briske scored his seventh of the season with a slap shot from the right point.

Spokane finally answered at 8:03 of the second, Joe Cardarelli’s tally off assists from Greg Leeb and Hugh Hamilton trimming the deficit to 4-1.

The power-play goal was scored from the slot when Cardarelli rebounded Leeb’s miss for his first goal since returning from a broken left ankle.

Tri-City goaltender Aaron Baker, filling in for U.S. World Junior team member Brian Boucher, stopped 39 of 40 shots.

Spokane’s next game is Wednesday night at 7, when Red Deer visits the Arena.