Koper, line lead Chiefs
Spokane takes 2nd on 6th straight win
CHILLIWACK, British Columbia – It didn’t take Levko Koper long to find his ice legs.
In his first game back after missing three with a groin injury, the veteran left winger scored a natural hat trick and added an assist as the Spokane Chiefs established a couple of season highs with a 7-1 victory over the Chilliwack Bruins before 2,834 at the Prospera Centre on Friday night.
Spokane scored a season-high in goals in running its winning streak to a season-best six games. In the process, the Chiefs (20-8-2) moved into second place in the Western Hockey League’s U.S. Division by a point past idle Portland, 42-41.
Koper had lots of offensive help. Linemate Tyler Johnson and Kyle Beach scored two goals apiece, running their season totals to 18 and 23, respectively, and seven other Chiefs had assists.
That number includes Blake Gal, who skates on the right side with Johnson and Koper. Their line collected seven points and all three of the game’s stars – Koper No. 1, Johnson No. 2 and Gal No. 3.
“It was a good road win for us,” Chiefs coach Hardy Sauter said. “They (Bruins) played very hard and showed great intensity. I’m glad we didn’t take them lightly because of their goalie situation.”
Chilliwack was without No. 1 goalie Lucas Gore and the Chiefs chased backup Braden Gamble, who started, amid a three-goal second period.
On the other end of the ice, Chiefs goalie James Reid was shutting out the Bruins until he wandered behind the net to try and collect a loose puck.
The puck took a fortuitous bounce for the Bruins in front of the vacated net and Roman Horak was there to slam it home for his 12th goal 12:54 into the third period.
Spokane scored on three of four power-play opportunities, with two of Koper’s goals as he ran his season total to 14 coming with a man advantage.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, killed off all three Chilliwack power plays.