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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Mcdonald Does It Again As Chiefs Close In On Title Two Late Goals Lift Spokane To Within One Win Of Division Title

It’s been a case of better late than never for Spokane’s Brent McDonald.

McDonald, fresh off a two-goal burst in the final 57 seconds of Spokane’s 4-2 victory over Prince George on Thursday, netted two goals over the final 1:35 to help the Chiefs hold off Seattle 6-3 in Western Hockey League action Friday night at KeyArena in Seattle.

The victory means the Chiefs can clinch the West Division title tonight at home against Seattle. Prince George beat Kelowna 4-3 in overtime on Friday, leaving Spokane’s magic number at 1.

Daniel Bohac’s 37th goal of the season, on power-play assists from Roman Tvrdon and Tim Smith, gave the Chiefs a 1-0 lead at the 12:46 mark of the first period.

Seattle pulled even at 7:42 of the second period on a Greg Black score.

Spokane regained the lead just 2:20 later on Smith’s 26th goal of the year. Tvrdon and Steven Mann assisted on the goal.

Ryan Thorpe’s third goal of the season, his first since Nov. 5, put the Chiefs up 3-1. Lynn Loyns and Brandin Cote picked up assists on the play, 52 seconds into the final period.

Shane Endicott’s unassisted goal pulled the Thunderbirds to within 3-2 at the 3:43 mark.

Derek Schutz’s 32nd goal of the season, with assists from Tvrdon and Daniel Bohac, at 5:22 stretched the lead to 4-2.

Tim Preston scored a goal at the halfway point of the period to again pull Seattle within a goal.

But McDonald put the game out of reach by nailing his 27th and 28th goals of the season at 18:25 and 19:22.

McDonald put it away with his 27th and 28th, first from Schutz at 18:25, and then from Jeremy Farr at 19:22.

Spokane improves to 45-20-4-2 on the season, while Seattle falls to 30-30-7-4.

Tyler MacKay started in goal for the Chiefs and made 13 saves. Jason LaBarbera entered the game at the 6:48 mark of the final period after MacKay picked up a 5-minute major. LaBarbera finished the game, stopping six of seven shots.

The starting time for tonight’s game against the Thunderbirds in the Arena has been moved to 7:35 to accommodate the fans who want to watch the Gonzaga-St. John’s NCAA basketball game. Radio coverage of tonight’s game will air on KXLY 920-AM immediately following coverage of the Zags.