Balanced attack guides Chiefs

KAMLOOPS, British Columbia – The Spokane Chiefs just keep finding ways to win.

Justin Falk scored one goal and had one assist and 11 other players accumulated one point apiece to lead the Spokane Chiefs to a 4-3 Western Hockey League victory over the Kamloops Blazers Wednesday night in front of 4,434 at Interior Savings Centre.

Chris Bruton, Levko Koper and David Rutherford also scored for Spokane (49-14-1-5).

The Chiefs remain tied with the Tri-City Americans (50-16-2-2) atop the Western Conference standings with 104 points. The Americans beat Everett 3-1 Wednesday night. Vancouver, which was idle, trails the co-U.S. Division leaders by four points (100).

The 49 victories for the Chiefs are the second most in franchise history. The 1995-96 squad won 50 games and accumulated 104 points, also a franchise record, which was duplicated Wednesday.

Kamloops opened the scoring when Mark Hall scored shorthanded and unassisted 4:28 into the game.

Spokane answered at 6:26 of the first when Bruton tallied on the power play with help from Mitch Wahl and Drayson Bowman.

Brady Calla gave the Blazers (27-38-2-2) a 2-1 lead before the end of the first period.

The Chiefs scored three unanswered goals in the second period to take a 4-2 lead before Kamloops’ Kenton Dulle scored with the goalie out for an extra attacker late in the third period for the final margin.

Dustin Tokarski made 20 saves for the Chiefs. James Priestner stopped 22 shots for Kamloops.

The Chiefs host Portland on Friday.

Game time is 7 p.m.