Spokane Chiefs take big lead, fold in third period in loss to Tri-City

KENNEWICK – Adam Helewka and Markson Bechtold had two goals apiece as the Spokane Chiefs raced out to a 3-1 lead after the first period, but Tri-City scored twice in the third and rallied to beat Spokane 6-5 on Friday night, snapping the Chiefs’ four-game winning streak.

Trailing 5-4 entering the third period, Tri-City’s Parker Bowles scored his second of the night with 5:35 to go to tie it. Parker Wotherspoon scored just 1 minute, 11 seconds later for the winner. Both goals came at four-on-four play.

The Chiefs (13-9-2) played well early, as Helewka scored on a power play just 3:28 in, but Tri-City’s Brian Williams answered at full strength barely one minute later. Bechtold then scored twice, the second with a man advantage with 21 seconds to go in the frame.

The teams traded goals – twice – in the second period, with Ethan McIndoe and Helewka registering for the Chiefs and Tri-City (10-15-1) picking up a pair of power-play markers from Bowles and Jordan Topping.

Spokane outshot Tri-City 38-28. Tyler Verhelst made 13 saves on 17 shots and was relieved by Lasse Petersen, who saved 9 of 11 shots.