McKinlay’s hat trick lifts Kootenay past Chiefs

CRANBROOK, B.C. – Dylen McKinlay’s hat trick lifted the Kootenay Ice to a 4-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs in Western Hockey League play on Saturday Night.

McKinlay scored twice in the second period and once in the third to seal the win for Kootenay – its first in three tries against the Chiefs this season.

After McKinlay opened the scoring, Mitch Holmberg scored his 21st goal of the season at 7:10 of the second period to knot the game at 1. McKinlay responded with his second goal, giving the Ice a 2-1 advantage heading into the third.

Spokane’s Brenden Kichton scored a power-play goal midway through the third to tie the game at 2, but Kootenay scored twice in the period to cap the scoring.

The Chiefs fell to 29-16-4-3 and remain in fourth place in the Western Conference. Kootenay improved to 29-15-4-4 – fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Spokane hosts Seattle at 7:05 p.m. Monday.

The Chiefs are 1-1 against the Thunderbirds this season.