Chiefs put Giants on thin ice

Vancouver, British Columbia - Mitch Holmberg scored twice and the Spokane Chiefs defeated the Vancouver Giants 5-1 in Game 5 of their Western Hockey League Western Conference first round series Friday night in front of 6,328 at the Pacific Coliseum.

The Chiefs can advance to the second round of the playoffs with a win in Game 6 on Sunday night at 6 at the Spokane Arena. The winner of the series will face the Tri-City Americans, who swept the Everett Silvertips in the opening round.

Liam Stewart, Darren Kramer and Blake Gal also scored for the Chiefs. Gal's goal midway through the final period came after deflecting a shot from Post Falls native Tanner Mort.

Spokane's Eric Williams, who took over for struggling goalie Mac Engel midway through Game 2, made 23 saves for his third straight win of the playoffs.

Spokane, which put 24 shots on net, finished 1 of 4 on the power play. Vancouver converted 1 of 6 chances with the one-man advantage.