Cheek helps Giants slip past Spokane Chiefs

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Trevor Cheek scored with 5:53 left in the third period to propel the Vancouver Giants to a 3-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs in Western Hockey League play Sunday.

The loss was the first of the season for the Chiefs (2-1), who rolled into Vancouver at 6 a.m. for a 4 p.m. start after playing host to Tri-City on Saturday night.

Vancouver (1-3) picked up its first win of the season.

The Chiefs took a 1-0 lead on a power play at 4:29 in the first on Mike Aviani’s third goal of the season. Jason Fram and Jason Vandane had assists.

The Giants took a 2-1 lead on Nathan Burns’ power-play goal at 17:59 in the first period and David Musil’s tally at the 6-minute mark of the second.

Mitch Holmberg pulled the Chiefs even with a power-play goal at 7:59 in the third. Holmberg’s fifth goal was assisted by Brenden Kichton and Reid Gow. Kichton’s assist was his 185th point – a club record for defensemen. He topped Bryan McCabe’s 184 points set from 1993-94.