SWX Right Now-Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WAChiefs Put Seven Up

SPOKANE, WA - The Spokane Chiefs scored four goals in the third period to defeat the Seattle Thunderbirds by a score of 7-3 Monday night at the Spokane Arena. Mike Aviani had a three point night and Eric Williams made 31 stops picking up his 14th win of the season. Brenden Kichton's power play goal at the end of the first made him the all team leading goal scorer amongst Chiefs' defenseman.

The Thunderbirds were the first team on the board, scoring at 5:04 of the first with Brendan Rouse picking up a loose rebound and shooting over Spokane goaltender Eric Williams.

The Chiefs responded just 12-seconds later thanks to Blake Gal making a poke check on the Seattle defenseman, allowing him to skate in all alone and score unassisted to tie the game at one.

Spokane continued to put on the pressure later in the period, as defenseman Davis Vandane scored his second goal of the year at 14:19 of the first by using his backhand after being allowed to skate in all alone from the blue line.

Unfortunately a defensive lapse by Spokane occurred just over a minute later, turning it over at their own blue line allowing Connor Honey of Seattle to score on a two-on-one rush at 15:48 of the first.

The Chiefs scored their third goal of the first period on the power play with Brenden Kichton blasting a shot past Thunderbirds goaltender Calvin Pickard from the right face off circle at 19:37 of the first making it 3-2 Spokane going into the first intermission.

Marek Kalus scored his second goal in three games on the power play, cleaning up a rebound at 1:44 of the third with assists going to Corbin Baldwin and Mike Aviani.

Captain Darren Kramer went five-hole on Pickard later in the period at 10:01 thanks to assists from Mitch Holmberg and Reid Gow.

The offense continued for Spokane a few minutes later as Connor Chartier and Mike Aviani worked the give-and-go to set up a Chartier short handed at 13:02 of the third. It was the rookie's fourth goal of the season.

Aviani finished off his evening with a goal to give the Chiefs a 7-3 advantage at 16:37 of the third. Dylan Walchuk set the goal up with a centering pass into the slot.

The Chiefs outshot the Thunderbirds 35-34. Spokane finished the game 2-4 on the power play and an impressive 7-7 on the penalty kill.