Streaking Chiefs topple T-Birds

SEATTLE – Drayson Bowman scored two goals and Dustin Tokarski stopped 28 shots for his 20th victory of the season and the Spokane Chiefs beat the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-1 in Western Hockey League action Friday night.

The victory was the seventh straight for the Chiefs, who trail the Tri-City Americans by six points in the Western Conference U.S. Division standings.

The Americans beat Everett 4-1 Friday night at Kennewick to keep pace with Spokane (29-14-0-3).

Tri-City and Spokane will face off at 7 tonight at the Arena. The game will be televised on Comcast cable channel 78.

Stefan Ulmer also scored for Spokane, his second straight game with a goal.

Bowman scored on a backhand in the first period.

After Thomas Hickey tied it at 1 in the first period for Seattle (20-24-1-3), Ulmer scored on a power play for the eventual winner early in the third.

Bowman added a shorthanded, empty-net goal with 5 seconds remaining in regulation.

Four other Chiefs had assists.