Chiefs power way into 3rd place
PORTLAND – The Spokane Chiefs’ power play is on a roll, and so are a few of their top players.
Spokane had a season-high four power-play goals – three in the first period – and defeated the Portland Winter Hawks 5-2 Tuesday night in Western Hockey League play.
Spokane (8-8-3, 19 points) moved ahead of idle Seattle (18 points) for third place in the U.S. Division with the win. Last-place Portland is 7-10, 14 points.
Chiefs forward Drayson Bowman scored two goals, giving him scores in four straight games. Rookie Ondrej Roman added two assists – for the fourth consecutive game – and a goal.
Spokane’s David Rutherford matched the WHL’s season-high scoring streak with a goal in his sixth straight game and J.P. Szaszkiewicz added two assists
Chiefs 5, Winter Hawks 2
| Spokane | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | |
| Portland | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 2 |
First Period—1, Por, McLaren 9 (Sceviour, Hotson) 6:20 (pp); 2, Spo, Roman 2 (Bruton, Compton) 8:21; 3, Spo, Bowman 7 ( Ryan, Roman) 10:12 (pp); 4, Spo, Bowman 8 (Roman, Rutherford) 17:08 (pp); 5, Spo, Compton 3 (Szaszkiewicz, Mercer) 18:52 (pp). Second Period—6, Por, McLaren 10 (Sceviour, Sauer) 2:28 (pp); 7, Spo, Rutherford 8 (Compton, Hobson) 16:36 (pp).
Third Period—None.
Power-play Opp.—Spokane 4 of 9; Portland 2 of 8. Saves—Spokane, Armstrong 22 saves. Portland, Ward 11 saves; Mucha 11 saves. A—2,701.