Chiefs rout Ams for 7th straight win

KENNEWICK – The Spokane Chiefs enter 2015 with a seven-game winning streak, the best in the Western Hockey League. Calder Brooks had two of the team’s five power-play goals and Adam Helewka accounted for four assists and one goal Wednesday while powering the Chiefs to their seventh consecutive victory, 10-2 over the Tri-City Americans at Toyota Center. The teams met for the 25th time on New Year’s Eve in the Tri-Cities. The Americans hold a series advantage of 15-8-0-1 (with one tie). Garret Hughson finished with 24 saves as the Chiefs (21-12-3-0, 65 points) registered a season high for goals in a game and moved within one point of first-place Everett in the U.S. Division. Kailer Yamamoto added two goals and an assist; Jason Fram had one goal and two assists; and Nick Charif, playing his first game since being acquired in a trade with Red Deer last Saturday, added two assists. Spokane has outscored rivals 36-15 during the streak, which began Dec. 12 with a 4-3 win over Portland that ended the Chiefs’ five-game losing streak. Brian Williams scored a pair of power-play goals for the Americans (18-17-0-1), who have lost nine of their last 13. Williams’ second goal, early in the second period, tied the game at 2. Spokane scored the final eight goals, with the winner going to ex-Tri-City player Jackson Playfair, assisted by ex-Americans player Devon McAndrews. The Chiefs, 12-5-1-0 on the road, will play at Victoria on Friday and Saturday before starting a three-game homestand Wednesday against Portland.