Chiefs improve to 5-0 on East trip

BRANDON, Manitoba – The Spokane Chiefs entered new territory Friday night. Mitch Holmberg finished with two goals and one assist as the Chiefs defeated the Brandon Wheat Kings 5-2 to improve to 5-0 on their six-game trip through the Western Hockey League’s East Division. Spokane hadn’t won in Brandon in 12 years. Spokane (22-7-1-0, 45 points) had never won five games during its annual Eastern Conference tour. The Chiefs have outscored East teams 29-14 during the trip. Dylan Walchuk added one goal and one assist for Spokane, which has won six consecutive games and 13 of 16. Jason Fram and Adam Helewka had two assists apiece for the Chiefs. Backup goaltender Garret Hughson stopped 33 of 35 shots. Mike Aviani’s empty-netter with 32 seconds left capped the Chiefs’ scoring. Aviani has 11 goals and 29 points in his last 20 games, and leads the team during the road trip with 10 points. The Chiefs went 6-0 against East teams in Spokane last season, including a 4-3 win over Brandon. Spokane is 15-7-1 against Brandon in regular-season play since 1995-96.