Chiefs down Rockets, close in on first

SPOKANE - Five different players scored for the Spokane Chiefs as they crept to within two points of the U.S. Division lead following a 5-2 win over the Kelowna Rockets in Western Hockey League action in front of 4,643 at the Spokane Arena on Tuesday night.

Kyle Beach scored his league-leading 52nd goal midway through the opening period to give the Chiefs a 1-0 lead.

Spokane (43-21-3-2, 91 points) scored three times in the second period, getting goals from Levko Koper, Blake Gal and Stefan Ulmer to take a 4-1 lead.

"We knew after what happened in Kelowna last week that we had to come out and work hard," Ulmer said. "We did that and got the win. Now we can get ready for Tri-City on Friday."

Kenton Miller added a goal for Spokane in the third.

"It was a big win for us tonight," Gal said. "Now we're in a position to get the top spot in the division if we beat Tri and Everett this weekend."

James Reid had 30 saves for Spokane, which hosts co-division leader Tri-City on Friday night at 7.

Ulmer signs: Spokane Chiefs defenseman Stefan Ulmer signed a three-year contract with the Lugano Hockey Club in the Swiss National League. Ulmer will remain with the Chiefs through the end of the season and join HC Lugano next year. The Swiss National League is the top professional league in Switzerland.