Chiefs thump Portland for 3rd win in 3 nights

| January 23, 2012 8:00 PM

SPOKANE - Mike Aviani and Mitch Holmberg scored two goals each as the Spokane Chiefs beat the Portland Winterhawks for the second straight night, 6-1 in Western Hockey League play Sunday night before 4,315 at the Spokane Arena.

Holmberg now has 19 goals for the Chiefs, who beat Portland 5-2 on Saturday, and won three games in three nights against the top two teams in the U.S. Division. Spokane won at first-place Tri-City on Friday.

Spokane's newest Chief, Dylan Walchuk, scored on the power play in the second period for his fourth goal in seven games, giving the Chiefs a 5-0 lead.

Dominik Uher had three assists for the Chiefs, and Mac Engel had 21 saves for his 21st victory of the season.

Spokane (25-14-3-3, 56 points), seven points behind Portland for second place in the U.S. Division, travels to Everett on Wednesday.