The Spokane Chiefs defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-1 Tuesday night at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

Spokane (21-9-2-0) opened the scoring at 9:25 of the first period on Levko Koper's 15th goal of the season. Mitch Wahl and Kyle Beach registered assists on the play.

Seattle (12-19-1-3) outshot Spokane 15-11 in the first period.

The Chiefs extended their lead to 2-0 at 5:41 of the second period on Brady Brassart's 3rd goal of the year. Mitch Holmberg and Anthony Bardaro both had assists.

Beach increased Spokane's lead to 3-0 at 11:45 of the second period on his 24th goal of the season. Wahl and Kenton Miller were credited with assists on the play.

The Chiefs outshot the T-Birds 18-9 in the second period and led 29-24 in total shots after two periods.

The T-Birds cut the lead to 3-1 at 10:02 of the third period on Luke Lockhart's second goal of the season. Jonathan Parker had control of the puck and put a shot on goal that was saved by Spokane goalie James Reid. The rebound bounced out to Lockhart who was waiting just above the crease. Lockhart spun around and put a backhand shot underneath Reid's blocker to give Seattle their only goal of the night.

Seattle outshot Spokane 14-9 in the third period. Both teams finished with 38 shots on goal in the game.

Seattle goalie Calvin Pickard (10-15-1-3) made 35 saves on 38 shots in the loss.

Spokane's Reid (18-5-0-0) stopped 37 of the 38 shots he faced to earn the victory.

These two teams meet Friday in Spokane in the second game of the home-and-home series. The T- Birds are at home to take on the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at ShoWare Center.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period - 1, Spokane, Koper 15 (Wahl, Beach), 9:25. Penalties - Spurgeon, Spo (tripping), 12:01. Gal, Spo (goaltender interference), 20:00.

Second period - 2, Spokane, Brassart 3 (Holmberg, Bardaro), 5:41. 3, Spokane, Beach 24 (Wahl, Miller), 11:45. Penalties - Ramsay, Sea (roughing), 7:18. Wahl, Spo (roughing), 7:18. Jacobs, Sea (checking from behind), 12:14.

Third period - 4, Seattle, Lockhart 2 (Parker), 10:02. Penalties - Jacobs, Sea (delay of game), 17:24. Gal, Spo (delay of game), 19:57.

Shots on goal - Seattle 15-9-14 38. Spokane 11-18-9 38. Goalies - Seattle, Pickard 38 shots-35 saves (10-15-1-3); Spokane, Reid 38-37 (18- 5-0-0). Power plays - Seattle 0-3; Spokane 0- 2. A - 4,108. Referee - Jason Nissen. Linesmen - Zach Brooks, Brian Fortin.

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