Chiefs fall in critical Game 5

PORTLAND, Ore. - Craig Cunningham scored the eventual game-winner on a breakaway at the 11:37 mark of the third period for Portland in a 3-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday night in front of 9,486 at the Rose Garden, giving the Winterhawks a 3-2 lead in their Western Hockey League Western Conference final series.

Former Coeur d'Alene Laker Tyler Johnson opened the scoring 59 seconds into the game to give Spokane a 1-0 lead. Portland tied the game at 1-all with 33 seconds remaining in the second period.

Ty Rattie broke the tie 5:22 into the third period to give Portland a 2-1 lead. Spokane's Mitch Holmberg scored with less than eight minutes remaining, but the Chiefs, who were outshot 43-41, couldn't score the equalizer.

Spokane can avoid elimination with a win in Game 6, starting at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Spokane Arena.