Kailer Yamamoto and Hudson Elynuik both score twice in Spokane Chiefs win over Kootenay

CRANBROOK, B.C. – Kailer Yamamoto scored twice – his team-leading 24th and 25th of the season – Hudson Elynuik added two goals and two assists, and the Spokane Chiefs handled the Kootenay Ice 4-1 in Western Hockey League action at Western Financial Place on Friday.

Trailing 1-0 after one period, Yamamoto got the Chiefs on the board midway through the second period with his first of the night, a tip in of a shot by Elynuik. Riley Woods picked up the second assist.

Elynuik gave Spokane (17-16-5-1, 40 points) a lead it never relinquished 4 minutes, 7 seconds into the third period with a short-handed, breakaway goal, assisted by Jaret Anderson-Dolan.

Yamamoto made it 3-1 midway through the third period – capping a 2-on-1 rush – assisted again by Elynuik, who has 16 goals and 28 assists in the campaign.

Elynuik added an empty-net goal, assisted by Yamamoto, with nearly 3 minutes left in the game.

Jayden Sittler made 24 saves for his third straight and 12th win of the season.

The Chiefs dominated shots on goal 50-25.

Zak Zborosky scored his 28th goal of the season for the Ice. Zborosky is fifth in the WHL in goals scored.

The teams play the second game of their home-and-home series on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at the Arena.