Chiefs fall in 3-0 hole

SPOKANE — Nicolas Petan scored the eventual game-winner 8:01 into the second period as the Portland Winterhawks beat the Spokane Chiefs 3-1 to take a 3-0 lead in their best-of-7 Western Conference semifinal series in front of 3,708 at the Spokane Arena on Tuesday night.

Portland can close out the series with a win in Game 4 tonight at 7 at the Spokane Arena.

Ty Rattie opened the scoring on an assist from Petan with 47 seconds remaining in the first period.

After Petan made it 2-0, Spokane’s Blake Gal scored his sixth goal of the playoffs to make it 2-1 after two.

Eric Williams had 33 saves for Spokane, which was outshot 36-26.