Defenseman’s Salvo Quells Chiefs Prince George Routs Spokane For A Split In Weekend Series

Defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski scored twice in less than two minutes Sunday night, helping Prince George crush the Spokane Chiefs 8-3 in Western Hockey League action.

Quinn Hancock also connected for his 27th goal of the season as the Cougars defeated the Chiefs for the first time in three tries this season.

Prince George’s victory came one night after Spokane returned from its holiday break to defeat the Cougars 3-1. The split left Prince George with a flashy 16-5-1 record at home.

Jared Smyth had the first multigoal game of his career, accounting for two of Spokane’s three goals.

The game was tied briefly at 1-1 in the first period.

Prince George’s Trent Hunter opened the scoring with a shot over goalie Aren Miller’s shoulder from the right wing at 7:08. Greg Leeb answered just 36 seconds later.

Kwiatkowski then put the Cougars ahead for good.

At 9:53 of the first, his shot from the right point bounced off Miller’s glove and rolled into the goal. Then, at 11:42, Kwiatkowski played Jarrett Smith’s shot on the rebound and blasted it past Miller.

Prince George broke the game open with three goals in the first 8-1/2 minutes of the second period.