Holmberg powers Chiefs to victory

KELOWNA, B.C. – Mitch Holmberg scored twice as the Spokane Chiefs beat the Kelowna Rockets 6-4 in Western Hockey League play Wednesday night. Holmberg has nine goals on the season, the most in the WHL by two goals, as Spokane improved to 5-1-0-0. Eric Williams made 39 saves for the Chiefs, who jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Holmberg scored on the power play and Liam Stewart scored shorthanded in the first period, and Dylan Walchuk added a tally at 4:41 of the second period. The Rockets scored three straight goals – two in the second period and one at 8:46 of the third – to tie the game. Just more than a minute later, Mike Aviani scored his fifth goal of the season to give Spokane the lead once again at 4-3. Holmberg’s second goal, at 15:04 of the third, gave Spokane a 5-3 lead. Kelowna scored at 18:11 to make it a one-goal game before Collin Valcourt completed the scoring with an empty-netter at 19:17. Brenden Kichton and Blake Gal each had two assists for Spokane. The Chiefs visit Kamloops on Friday, then return home Saturday against Vancouver.