Chiefs shoot past Tri-City for second straight night

SPOKANE — Erik Atchison and Luke Toporowski finished with two goals and an assist each for Spokane, which beat the Tri-City Americans for the second straight night, winning 5-4 in front of 4,203 in Western Hockey League play at the Spokane Arena on Saturday.

The game was delayed a half four from its 7 p.m. start time due to the Tri-City bus arriving late into Spokane.

After a scoreless first period, Spokane’s Chase Bertholet scored his fourth goal as a Chief to give the team a 1-0 lead. Tri-City tied the game a little over two minutes later before Toporowski gave Spokane a 2-1 lead with 1:09 remaining in the second period.

Atchison scored his first goal of the night four minutes into the third to give Spokane a 3-1 lead. Tri-City cut the deficit to 3-2 before Toporowski scored his fourth goal in the last two games against Tri-City to give Spokane a 4-2 lead.

Atchison capped the Spokane scoring with a tip netfront with a little over six minutes remaining.

Post Falls native Bear Hughes had two assists for Spokane (10-17-2-1, 23 points), which leads Tri-City by one point for fourth in the U.S. Division. The Chiefs have now won five straight against the Americans, and five of six games this season.

Spokane hosts Everett on Friday at 7:05 p.m.