Fiddler, Aviani pace Chiefs

SWIFT CURRENT, Saskatchewan – Todd Fiddler felt right at home on Friday night.

Fiddler, of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, continued his recent tear with two goals and one assist as the Spokane Chiefs kicked off their long East Division swing with a 7-2 win over the Swift Current Broncos.

Fiddler has scored eight goals in his last five games to move within two goals of Western Hockey League leader JC Lipon of Kamloops, who has 22. Fiddler has 18 goals and 25 points in his last 16 games.

Mike Aviani added two goals and two assists for the Chiefs, who will play six games in nine days during their annual trip to the Eastern Conference. Aviani has seven goals and 22 points in his last 16 games.

The Chiefs (18-7-1-0, 37 points) won for the ninth time in 12 games as they pursue first-place Portland in the Western Conference’s U.S. Division.

Spokane is 6-5-1-0 on the road.

Spokane is 12-5-0 against the Broncos (11-13-3-2) since the 1998-99 season.

Reid Gow and Tyler King contributed one goal and one assist apiece for Spokane.

Brenden Kichton, who sparked Spokane’s win over the Broncos last season, added two assists.

Spokane’s Eric Williams stopped 27 of 29 shots to improve to 7-2-1-0 in his last 10 games.