Chiefs fall at Kelowna

KELOWNA, British Columbia - Alessio Bertaggia scored two goals in his Spokane debut, but a late rally by the Chiefs came up short in a 5-3 loss to the Kelowna Rockets in Western Hockey League play in front of 5,017 at Prospera Place on Wednesday night.

Kelowna tied a franchise record for consecutive wins at home with its 18th straight and led 4-0 lead after two periods.

Spokane got on the board as Todd Fiddler scored his 29th goal of the season midway through the third. Bertaggia, acquired at last week's trade deadline from the Brandon Wheat Kings, scored two goals less than two minutes apart to cut the deficit to 4-3, but an empty netter by Zach Franko capped the scoring for Kelowna.

Spokane (28-15-1-0, 57 points) now leads Tri-City by two points for second place in the U.S. Division and will face Kelowna again on Friday at the Spokane Arena at 7:05 p.m.