Chiefs hand Blades first home loss

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Brenden Kichton's first two-goal game of his Western Hockey League career lifted the Spokane Chiefs past the East Division-leading Saskatoon Blades 3-2 in front of 5,121 at the Credit Union Centre on Tuesday night.

Former Coeur d'Alene Laker Tyler Johnson and Dominik Uher assisted on Kichton's first goal 1:10 into the game. Kichton's second gave the Chiefs (7-7, 14 points) a 2-0 lead at 7:08 of the first period. The assist increased Johnson's points streak to seven consecutive games.

Saskatoon (11-5, 22), which was 7-0 on home ice entering the game, cut the deficit to 2-1 midway through the first on Jake Trask's breakaway goal.

Jared Cowen's third goal of the season - with 38 seconds remaining in the first - increased Spokane's lead to 3-1.

"I think all 20 guys showed up to win the hockey game," Chiefs coach Don Nachbaur said. "We won a lot of battles. Our penalty kill was outstanding. I'm real proud of the guys. We beat a good hockey team."

James Reid stopped 20 shots for Spokane, which plays at Prince Albert tonight at 6.