KENNEWICK, Wash. - Tyler Schmidt scored his first goal of the postseason from the blue line 2:32 into the second overtime as the Tri-City Americans defeated the Spokane Chiefs 4-3 on Thursday night to even their best-of-seven Western Hockey League Western Conference semifinals series at two games apiece in front of 3,888 at the Toyota Center.

Steve Kuhn opened the scoring midway through the first period for Spokane. Former Coeur d'Alene Laker Tyler Johnson scored a shorthanded goal early in the second period to make it 2-0.

Tri-City tallied three straight goals, taking a 3-2 lead heading into the final period. Johnson scored his fifth goal of the playoffs to even the game at 3 midway through the third.

James Reid had 46 saves for Spokane, including a stop of a penalty shot by Brendan Shinnimin late in the first overtime. Drew Owsley had 47 saves for Tri-City.

Game 5 is Sunday at Kennewick.