Chiefs hold on late to beat Tri-City

SPOKANE — Dawson Weatherill stopped all five shots he faced in the third period after coming in as a replacement as the Spokane Chiefs held off the Tri-City Americans 4-3 in Western Hockey League play in front of 9,848 at the Spokane Arena on Saturday.

It is the first win for Spokane against Tri-City since the season opener on Oct. 1.

Spokane took a 2-0 lead after the first period on goals from Kailer Yamamoto — his 31st of the season — and Keanu Yamamoto, both coming on the power play.

Ethan McIndoe scored a pair of goals to extend Spokane’s advantage to 4-0 after the second.

Tri-City cut the deficit to 4-3 midway through the third on just six shots, but Weatherill turned away a tying shot with under five seconds remaining to preserve the win.

Spokane (23-23-6-3, 55 points) trails Portland by eight points for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Chiefs visit Prince George to start a four-game road trip on Monday at 2 p.m.