Chiefs drubbed by 'Hawks

SPOKANE - Oliver Bjorkstrand had two goals and an assist as the Portland Winterhawks whipped the Spokane Chiefs 9-1 in Western Hockey League play Saturday night in front of 7,855 at the Spokane Arena.

The loss snaps a three-game win streak by Spokane, which is now 10-2 on home ice.

Portland took a 2-0 lead early in the first period and Brenden Kitchton scored his eighth goal of the season for Spokane on a backhanded shot 10:47 into the period to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Portland answered 50 seconds later to take a 3-1 lead and added another goal in the final five minutes to take a 4-1 lead after the first.

Portland added three goals in the second and two in the third, scoring seven unanswered on the way to an 11th straight win.

Spokane (14-7-0-0, 28 points) trails Portland by three points for first place in the U.S. Division and faces Seattle next Saturday at the ShoWare Center in Kent, Wash.

Mac Carruth had 43 saves for Portland (15-3-1, 31 points).