Three-goal 2nd period helps Spokane pull away in Game 2

SPOKANE - Matt Marantz and Levko Koper scored 25 seconds apart as the Spokane Chiefs blew the game open with three second-period goals and beat the Tri-City Americans 6-3 to square their Western Hockey League Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece Sunday night before 5,026 at the Spokane Arena.

Spokane out-shot Tri-City 40-15, and has held the Ams to 33 shots in the two games.

Mitch Holmberg scored twice in the first period for Spokane - giving him four goals in the first two games - and the Chiefs led 2-1 after one. Marantz, Koper on the power play, and Steven Kuhn on a tip shot boosted Spokane's lead to 5-1 after two.

Former Coeur d'Alene Laker Tyler Johnson, in his second game back after suffering a concussion early in the last series vs. Chilliwack, scored a power-play goal in the third period for the Chiefs, who were 3 for 5 on the power play.

Jared Cowen had a career-high four assists for Spokane.

The series shifts to Kennewick, Wash., for the next three games on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.