Kamloops Blazers ride two first-period goals stand up in 2-1 win over Spokane Chiefs

The Kamloops Blazers scored a pair of first-period goals and made them stand up in a 2-1 Western Hockey League victory over the visiting Spokane Chiefs on Tuesday night.

Quinn Benjafield scored off a rebound to give Kamloops the game’s first goal at 2:49 of the first period. Luc Smith made it 2-0 with a one-timer between the circles with just 51 seconds left in the period.

The Chiefs broke through at 1:10 of the third period when Riley Woods got his career-high 18th goal with an assist going to Dalton Hamaliuk.

The Chiefs had a frustrating night on the power play, failing to convert on seven chances, four in the third period. Spokane outshot Kamloops 48-28, including 17-5 in the third period. Spokane has just two goals in its last two games after scoring nine in a win over Portland.

Spokane’s Jaret Anderson-Dolan had an eight-game points streak end.

Donovan Buskey made 26 saves for Spokane while Dylan Ferguson had 47 for the Blazers.

The loss left the Chiefs alone in last place in the Western Conference with 35 points after the Seattle Thunderbirds escaped the cellar by picking up a point in a shootout loss to the Portland Winterhawks.

The Chiefs complete their road trip Wednesday night with a 7:05 game.