Hughes nets first WHL goals in Chiefs' rout of Tri-City

SPOKANE — Post Falls native Bear Hughes scored his first Western Hockey League goal 1:55 into the game for the Spokane Chiefs in a 10-1 romp of the Tri-City Americans in the regular season finale in front of a sellout crowd of 10,373 at the Spokane Arena.

Spokane won four straight over Tri-City to split the season series 6-6.

Tri-City tied the game midway through the first period, but Spokane regained the lead on a power-play goal by Nolan Reid to take a 2-1 lead. Ethan McIndoe scored on a tip with 1:15 remaining in the first to give Spokane a 3-1 lead after the first period.

Spokane scored six goals — a season-high in a period — with Adam Beckman scoring twice and Hughes added his second career goal to take a 9-1 after the second.

Beckman capped the scoring in the third period for Spokane with his 32nd of the season. He is the first Chiefs rookie to lead the team in goal scoring since 1999 and the first Chiefs rookie with 30 goals since 1997.

Spokane (40-21-2-5, 87 points) moves into second in the U.S. Division over Portland. Portland hosts Seattle to conclude the regular season tonight.

If Portland loses to Seattle, Portland will travel to Spokane for Games 1 and 2 of their playoff series next Friday and Saturday.

If Portland wins tonight, Spokane will travel to Portland to start the series next Friday and Sunday.