Chiefs win, move into tie for first

EVERETT, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs scored three goals in the first 3 minutes, 8 seconds and went on to beat the Everett Silvertips 4-1 in Western Hockey League play Sunday night before 4,957 at Comcast Arena.

Spokane (27-11-3-2, 59 points) moved into a tie for first play with Portland in the U.S. Division. They also share the top point total in the Western Conference.

"I thought we played really well and were really focused," Chiefs coach Don Nachbaur said. "We know first is up for grabs. I thought from the opening faceoff that we really dictated the play and took the crowd out of the game with those quick three goals at the start of the game."

Jared Cowen scored 1:11 into the game on a goal that had to be reviewed because his shot tore through the back of the net and hit the boards behind the goal.

Former Coeur d'Alene Laker Tyler Johnson scored his league-leading 34th goal just 17 seconds later, and Dominik Uher scored on the power play for a quick 3-0 lead. Matt Marantz scored 13 seconds into the second period to make it 4-0.

Spokane, which outshot Everett 47-33 and was 6 for 6 on the penalty kill, travels to Chilliwack on Tuesday.