Riley Woods’ overtime goal gives Spokane Chiefs 2-1 series lead over Portland

PORTLAND – The Spokane Chiefs recaptured home-ice advantage in their Western Hockey League first-round playoff series.

Riley Woods’ overtime goal on a backhander out front Tuesday gave the Chiefs a 5-4 victory against the Portland Winterhawks in Game 3 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Spokane leads the best-of-seven series 2-1. The teams split the first two games in Spokane.

Jake McGrew and Ty Smith assisted on Woods’ winning score – his second goal of the series – at 9 minutes, 33 seconds of OT.

The Chiefs forced OT when Jack Finley, cutting to the net, scored at 7:48 of the third period.

Spokane trailed 2-0 before Luke Toporowski scored with 3:23 left in the first period. Luc Smith and Ethan McIndoe scored 39 seconds apart in the second period to give the Chiefs a 3-2 lead.

Portland’s Jared Freadrich tied the score midway through the second period. Early in the third, Robbie Fromm-Delorme’s second goal of the night put Portland ahead 4-3.

Smith nearly ended the game 3 minutes into OT, hitting the post.

The Chiefs outshot Portland 43-32. Spokane’s Bailey Brkin stopped 28 shots and the Winterhawks’ Joel Hofer had 38 saves.

After Wednesday night’s Game 4, the series will return to the Arena on Saturday night.