Koper helps Chiefs tie series

SPOKANE - Spokane's Levko Koper recorded the first postseason hat trick of his WHL career and added an assist to lead the Chiefs past the Portland Winterhawks 8-3, evening their Western Conference finals series at two games apiece Friday night in front of 8,412 at the Spokane Arena.

The Chiefs showed no ill effects after Wednesday night's 3-2 home overtime loss in Game 3, as Matt Marantz opened the scoring 10 seconds into the game.

Spokane's Tyler Johnson scored midway through the opening period to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead and the former Coeur d'Alene Laker added assists on both of Koper's third-period goals.

Collin Valcourt added one goal and three assists for Spokane, which also received goals from Anthony Bardaro and Mitch Holmberg.

The Chiefs went 1 of 10 on the power play, Portland 2 of 7. Spokane outshot the Winterhawks 41-32.

Game 5 is at 7 tonight in Portland.