Dominic Zwerger scores 7 seconds into OT as Chiefs edge Ams

KENNEWICK – Dominic Zwerger scored 7 seconds into overtime Saturday to lift the Spokane Chiefs to a 4-3 victory over Tri-City in the Americans’ Western Hockey League home opener at Toyota Center.

Spokane (2-1-0-0) entered the third period with a 2-0 lead and held a 3-2 advantage when Jordan Topping scored for T-C (0-2-0-0) with 4 minutes, 43 seconds left.

Jason Fram, who scored twice to give him three goals for the season, assisted on Zwerger’s OT goal. Zwerger also has three goals this season after scoring twice.

Fram’s power-play goal at 13:46 of the first broke a scoreless tie. Zwerger gave the Chiefs a 2-0 lead at 12:14 of the second.

The Americans rallied with a three-goal third against Tyson Verhelst, who got the start in goal for Spokane. Vladislav Lukin and Parker Bowles scored 2:03 apart to knot the score at 2.

Kailer Yamamoto, who finished with two assists, and Hudson Elynuik aided Fram’s go-ahead goal with 9:10 left. Tyler Sandhu and Brandon Carlo assisted on Topping’s tying score.

Spokane opened the season Sept. 26 with a 6-4 home victory over Tri-City.

The Chiefs will play four road games next week before returning home on Oct. 16 to face the Prince Albert Raiders.

The following night, Spokane will welcome the Kamloops Blazers.