Chiefs defeat Cougars again

PRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia – The Spokane Chiefs accomplished something they hadn’t done in five years – start a Western Hockey League season with a 2-0 record.

David Rutherford had a hat trick and Drayson Bowman added two goals and two assists to power the Chiefs to a 7-2 victory over the Prince George Cougars on Saturday night. It was Spokane’s second win over Prince George in as many nights.

Spokane took control of the contest early – scoring five first-period goals.

Rutherford got the Chiefs off and running with a goal just 1 minute, 34 seconds into the match. Judd Blackwater and Ondrej Roman tallied assists.

Bowman made it 2-0 just 24 seconds later with an assist from Mitch Wahl.

Alex Poulter’s power-play goal at the 6:38 mark pulled Prince George within a goal.

But the Chiefs used three power-play goals of their own – over a span of 1:50 – to all but bury the Cougars.

Chris Bruton started Spokane’s scoring with a man advantage at 15:20. Bowman (16:07) and Rutherford (17:10) put the finishing touches on the 5-1 first-period lead.

Rutherford added his third goal at 12:23 of the second period and Jared Spurgeon capped the scoring for Spokane at 14:32 in the third.

Ty Wishart scored Prince George’s final goal – a power-play tally with 1:18 left to play.

Kevin Armstrong went the distance in goal for the Chiefs, stopping 16 of 18 shots.

The Chiefs next game is Saturday against the Kootenay Ice in Cranbrook, B.C.