Smith’s record night powers Chiefs blowout

SPOKANE — Ty Smith set a single-game franchise record for scoring by a defenseman with eight points as the Spokane Chiefs routed the Seattle Thunderbirds 9-2 in Western Hockey League play in front of 8,261 at the Spokane Arena on Friday.

It was Smith’s first career hat trick and only the franchise’s fifth by a defenseman, and first since Jared Cowen in 2010.

Smith had two goals and two assists to push Spokane to a 4-1 lead after the first period, then had a goal and an assist as Spokane built a 7-1 lead after the second.

Owen MacNeil and Noah King scored on assists by Smith in the third to set the record.

Luke Toporowski had two goals and an assist for Spokane (36-18-4-1, 77 points), which hosts Tri-City tonight at 7.