KENT, Wash. - Mitch Holmburg had two goals and an assist as the Spokane Chiefs defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 5-2 in Western Hockey League action in front of 4,388 at the ShoWare Center on Saturday.

The win moved Spokane past Tri-City, which lost 8-2 in Portland, for second place in the U.S. Division. Portland sits five points ahead of Spokane.

Former Coeur d'Alene Laker Tyler Johnson scored his league-leading 39th goal of the season in a three-goal third period for Spokane. Anthony Bardaro and Steve Kuhn also scored.

Spokane (32-14-4-2, 70 points) hosts Portland on Wednesday at the Spokane Arena.