Koper helps Chiefs tie series
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 13 years, 11 months AGO
SPOKANE - Spokane's Levko Koper recorded the first postseason hat trick of his WHL career and added an assist to lead the Chiefs past the Portland Winterhawks 8-3, evening their Western Conference finals series at two games apiece Friday night in front of 8,412 at the Spokane Arena.
The Chiefs showed no ill effects after Wednesday night's 3-2 home overtime loss in Game 3, as Matt Marantz opened the scoring 10 seconds into the game.
Spokane's Tyler Johnson scored midway through the opening period to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead and the former Coeur d'Alene Laker added assists on both of Koper's third-period goals.
Collin Valcourt added one goal and three assists for Spokane, which also received goals from Anthony Bardaro and Mitch Holmberg.
The Chiefs went 1 of 10 on the power play, Portland 2 of 7. Spokane outshot the Winterhawks 41-32.
Game 5 is at 7 tonight in Portland.