Quick Start Propels Chiefs To Victory

With a quick start, aggressive defense and a pair of power-play goals, the Spokane Chiefs upset Swift Current on Tuesday night to complete a sweep of their season series with the Broncos.

Ty Jones, Dan Vandermeer and Curtis Suter scored in the Chiefs’ 3-2 Western Hockey League win over the Broncos.

The Chiefs (12-25-5), who broke a four-game losing streak on the road, are in Moose Jaw tonight trying to even their season series with the Warriors and extend a string of successes against East Division teams. Spokane is 6-4-1 against the East after beating Swift Current for the second time.

The Chiefs often struggle without Brad Ference to quarterback their power play, but not on this night.

With Ference at home in Calgary, taking time off after the World Junior Tournament, Spokane enjoyed a strong opening 20 minutes, when they held the Broncos (20-19-5) to two shots and scored twice on the power play.

It was the first time in 17 games Spokane had multiple power-play goals, cashing in on two of three chances with the extra attacker.

Jones struck first, at 8:27, with his 13th goal of the season, assisted by Brandin Cote and Vandermeer.

Vandermeer, the Chiefs’ 20-year old assistant captain, put Spokane up 2-0. Jones and Derek Schutz earned the assists.

The Broncos cut the deficit to 2-1 in the second period on Jeremy Reich’s 10th goal.

Spokane’s Curtis Suter scored the game-winner at 5:15 of the third period, tipping Kyle Rossiter’s shot past goaltender Bryce Wandler.

Swift Current’s Layne Ulmer jumped on a turnover deep in the Chiefs’ zone to score with 9:24 left, but with Mike Lencucha turning in his fourth strong start in goal, the Chiefs stood up to third-period pressure.

Lencucha stopped 17 of 19 shots. Wandler turned away 25 of 28.