Mike Aviani's four point night lifted the Spokane Chiefs to a 7-2 win in Swift Current Friday night. Todd Fiddler chipped in two goals and an assist as Spokane won the first game of their 6 game road trip through the WHL's Eastern Division.
Aviani started the scoring, converting on a rebound of a Fiddler shot on a 4 on 4 at 12:02 of the first period to give Spokane a 1-0 lead. Fiddler would then score his league leading 3rd shorthanded goal of the season at 14:30 to put the Chiefs up 2-0. Aviani and goaltender Eric Williams picked up the assists. Swift's Chance Lund scored the first of two goals on the night to bring the Broncos within 2-1 after one.
Aviani would score his second of the night, and 12th of the year from Tyler King just 3:40 into the second period to lift the Chiefs to a 3-1 lead. Fiddler would follow with a power play goal past Bronco replacement goalie Landon Bow at 8:43 to make it 4-1 Spokane. Fiddler's team leading 20th goal of the year was assisted by Brenden Kichton and Reid Gow. Lund would score his second of the night shorthanded later in the period to cut Spokane's lead to 4-2 after two.
Spokane would take over in the third. Gow would score his 4th of the season from Liam Stewart and Marek Kalus, who was playing his first game of the season after an injury, just 1:58 into the third to extend Spokane's lead to 5-2. King would then score his 4th of the year off another 4 on 4 from Aviani and Cole Wedman late in the third to put the Chiefs up 6-2. Mitch Holmberg would cap the scoring 44 seconds later on yet another 4 on 4 situation, with his 14th of the season from Dylan Walchuk and Kichton to make it a 7-2 final.
Spokane outshot Swift Current 15-7 in the third period and 35-29 on the game as Eric Williams turned aside 27 shots for his 14th win of the season.. Spokane will continue their Eastern swing Saturday night in Regina against the Pats. Mike Boyle will have the call on 790 KJRB beginning with the pre-game show at 4:30pm and the puck drop at 5pm.
