Tri-City takes down Chiefs in New Year's Eve matchup

| January 1, 2012 8:00 PM

KENNEWICK - Justin Feser and Patrick Holland had a goal and two assists each as the Tri-City Americans beat the Spokane Chiefs 4-1 in the 22th annual New Year's Eve game between the Western Hockey League teams in front of 6,064 at the Toyota Center on Saturday.

Tri-City opened a 2-0 lead on goals by Michal Plutnar and Holland. Marek Kalus scored on an assist from Mitch Holmburg to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the final seconds of the period for Spokane.

Jordan Messier scored on a power play just over a minute into the second period and Feser capped the scoring with his 18th goal of the season in the third for Tri-City.

Tri-City (29-7, 58 points) now leads Spokane by 19 points in the U.S. Division.

Spokane (17-12-2-3, 39 points) travels to Kelowna on Wednesday.