Chiefs End Road Trip with 8-3 Loss at Portland - SWX Right Now-Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA

The Portland Winterhawks scored 5 straight goals to start the game and went on to defeat the Spokane Chiefs 7-2 Monday afternoon in Portland. Oliver Bjorkstrand led the way for Portland with 4 goals and an assist, while his linemates Taylor Leier had 2 goals and 3 assists, and Chase DeLeo had 5 assists.

Leier scored the first two goals of the game in the first 5 minutes of the game to put the Winterhawks 2-0. Shaun McPherson scored late in the first to give Portland a 3-0 lead after one. Bjorkstrand would score his first two goals of the game on the power play in the first 7:04 of the second period to put Portland up 5-0. Alessio Bertaggia would get Spokane on the board with a 5 on 3 power play goal at 11:03 of the second to cut the lead to 5-1. Bertaggia's 5th goal as a Chief was assisted by Blake Gal and Liam Stewart. Adam Helewka's 9th goal of the year from Mitch Holmberg and Carter Proft at 14:47 would bring Spokane within 5-2. Bjorkstrand would score with 1:14 left in the second to give Portland a 6-2 lead after two.

Bjorkstrand would cap his 4 goal night at 7:57 of the third to make it 7-2 Portland. Mike Aviani's power play goal at 12:05 would leave it a 7-3 game. Aviani's 26th goal of the year was assisted by Holmberg and Reid Gow. Paul Bitner's power play goal would cap the scoring late in the third. Spokane was outshot 33-31, while going 2-5 on the power play and 5-8 on the penalty kill.

Spokane will return home to open a 2 game homestand against the Edmonton Oil Kings Friday night at 7:05pm. Mike Boyle will have the call on 1510 KGA beginning with the pre-game show at 6:30pm.