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Chiefs force a Game 7

| March 30, 2010 9:00 PM

PORTLAND, Ore. - Levko Koper's second goal of the night came at 12:32 of the third period, and the Spokane Chiefs held on for a 4-3 win over the Portland Winterhawks to force Game 7 in their Western Hockey League Western Conference first-round playoff series on Monday night before 6,101 at the Rose Garden.

"We did the simple things and got the win. We handled the pressure real well and lived to play another game," Koper said.

Kyle Beach and Kenton Miller had goals for the Chiefs, and former Coeur d'Alene Laker Tyler Johnson dished out three assists, with Ryan Johansen adding two.

"Right off the start I thought our guys came out with a fire in their belly, put pressure on Portland's defense," Chiefs coach Hardy Sauter said. "We got two goals early. I thought we deserved the win tonight."

Spokane goalie James Reid stopped 40 of 43 shots. He made a point-blank save on a shot by Portland's Luke Walker with 1:48 remaining to preserve the win.

The Chiefs scored on 1 of their 2 power plays, while Portland converted on 1 of 3.

Portland blistered Reid with 31 shots in the last two periods, at a time when Spokane managed 25 shots on net.

With both teams 3-0 on the road in the series, Game 7 will be Wednesday night at the Spokane Arena at 7 p.m. Tickets will go on sale this morning at 9 a.m.