Chiefs look fine by cashing in with nine

KENNEWICK – The Spokane Chiefs erupted for nine consecutive goals, six in the second period, in posting a 9-5 Western Hockey League win over the Tri-City Americans Saturday night at the Tri-Cities Coliseum.

Spokane’s victory was its first in Tri-City since February, 2003, a span of seven games. The Chiefs’ goals were scored by nine different players, including two players who got their first WHL goals.

Ned Lukacevic had four assists, Derek Ryan had two assists and a goal, Adam Hobson had two assists, and Jevon Desautels added a goal and an assist as Spokane evened its record at 4-4. Tri-City fell to 2-3-2.

The Chiefs were out-shot 10-1 in the first five minutes of the game and trailed 2-0, but gathered themselves and got back into the game by taking a 3-2 lead after one period despite being out-shot 16-6.

Spokane got on the board at the 8-minute, 34-second mark when Chad Klassen netted his team-high sixth goal on a 2-on-1 break with Lukacevic. Then, after a key save by Spokane goalie Jim Watt (who had 32 saves), rookie Chris Bruton scored his fourth goal of the season, 24 seconds later to tie the game. The Chiefs closed out the first period with a 3-2 lead as defenseman Scott Lynch scored at the 17:31 mark.

Then the wheels came off for the Americans as Spokane scored on six of 12 shots in the period, four of them against goalie Carey Price, who was pulled after eight minutes in the period. He was replaced by Jesse Deckert, who gave up two more goals.

The Chiefs had goals in the period from Kyle Howarth (his first as a Chief); Desautels; Stephen Gillen; Ryan; and rookies Mike Reich and Jason Lynch (their first each in the WHL). Spokane led 9-2 after two periods before withstanding a three-goal Tri-City rally in the third.

Chiefs defenseman Joe Logan did not play after injuring his groin Friday.