Chiefs rally past Portland in Game 1

PORTLAND, Ore. - Kyle Beach scored the game-winning goal on a shot from the high slot with 1:58 remaining in regulation to give the Spokane Chiefs a 5-4 win over Portland in the opening game of their Western Hockey League playoff series on Saturday night at the Rose Garden.

"Two words sum it up - guts and determination," Spokane coach Hardy Sauter said. "It was a great way to start this series on the road."

Former Coeur d'Alene Laker Tyler Johnson tied the game at 4 on a rebound of his own shot with 6:25 remaining. Stefan Ulmer started the scoring for Spokane in the third to cut the deficit to one.

Beach finished with two goals, also adding a a power-play goal in the first period to start the scoring for Spokane.

Game 2 of the series is tonight at 5 at the Rose Garden.