Chiefs work way out of skid

The Spokane Chiefs and Portland Winter Hawks both needed a win Friday night for different reasons.

The Chiefs were looking to get back on track after an unbeaten preseason and a quick 3-0 start to the regular season ended with a four-game skid.

Portland, regarded as the one of the worst teams in the Western Hockey League, is desperate for points. They only had two heading into Friday’s game.

Both needed the win, and the Chiefs got it in the first of nine meetings with the Winter Hawks this season, a 5-2 victory in front of an Arena crowd of 4,804.

“I think we needed (the win) just so the guys can get their heads picked up a little bit and feel better about themselves,” Chiefs coach Bill Peters said.

“The work ethic has always been there and tonight we got rewarded for it, and I think it will go a long way to help with the confidence of our guys individually and collectively.”

The Chiefs (4-2-1-1) took a quick lead in the opening period, converting on the first power play of the game.

Captain Chris Bruton tipped in a short pass to bury the Chiefs’ first goal on Portland goalie Mark Guggenberger at 4 minutes, 48 seconds. Drayson Bowman and Mitch Wahl were credited with the assists.

Midway through the first, Cody Esposito was called for hooking and the Winter Hawks (1-6) had their first power play opportunity.

Not only did the Chiefs kill the penalty, they took a 2-0 lead when Tyler Johnson stole the puck at center ice and slotted a backhanded shot past Guggenberger for the second goal of his WHL career, shorthanded at 10:46. Johnson scored his first goal in the Chiefs’ home opener last Saturday, a 2-1 shootout loss to division rival Tri-City.

“Great penalty kill,” said Peters. “He works so hard and he’s got great skill to match it and great hockey sense. It was an outstanding individual effort on Tyler’s part.”

Portland pushed back before the first flood when Chris Francis snuck a long shot off a faceoff past Spokane goalie Kevin Armstrong at 17:43 and evened the score at 2-all at 2:19 in the second period on a Radim Valchar goal, which came off another faceoff in the Chiefs’ defensive zone.

Then the Chiefs struck again – burying two goals in 17 seconds.

Bowman scored the game-winner at 3:22 on a pass from Bruton, and Wahl popped in a dish from Mike Reddington to give the Chiefs a 4-2 lead at the second intermission.

Spokane’s Curtis Kelner netted his first goal of the season in the third period for the final goal of the game.

“I think the series with Tri-Cities (overtime and shootout losses last weekend) was a frustrating one,” said Bruton. “We thought we could have come out with some wins there, and then we fell into a bit of a skid.

“Tonight we used our speed and worked hard and were able to come out with the two points.”

Chiefs defenseman Jared Spurgeon had a standout game as Spokane killed five Portland power plays. Armstrong finished with 22 saves.

“I think (the win) is going to make it a little easier coming to the rink tomorrow,” Peters said. “Both of their goals came off face-off situations and that’s something we can correct.

“I thought we got contributions from everybody and it was a great effort. … When we are at our best everyone finds a way to make an impact.”

Recently acquired forward Ryan Letts had an impressive first outing for Spokane, bringing energy on the line with Cody Esposito and Johnson.

“I thought (Letts) had a great game,” Bruton said. “We were able to roll all four lines throughout the game and wear them out – it was definitely a collective effort.”

The Chiefs are back in action tonight when they host the Kelowna Rockets at 7 at the Arena.

Ice chips

Chiefs forward David Rutherford was scratched from the lineup with a nagging groin injury. He is listed as week-to-week. … Forward Dustin Donaghy (broken hand) will be out for up to five more weeks.