Tri-City takes down Chiefs

SPOKANE — Tyler Sandhu recorded a hat trick for the Tri-City Americans in a 5-1 win over the Spokane Chiefs in Western Hockey League play in front of 9,331 at the Spokane Arena on Saturday.

Tri-City has won 8 of 10 matchups with Spokane this season.

Spokane took a 1-0 lead in the first period on Kailer Yamamoto’s 35th goal of the season. Sandhu scored on an assist from Jordan Topping to even the score at 1-1 after the first period.

Sandhu scored midway through the second to give Tri-City a 2-1 lead after two. Topping scored two goals in the third period for Tri-City.

Spokane (25-26-6-3, 59 points) trails Portland by nine points for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Spokane hosts Kelowna tonight at 5.