KENNEWICK, Wash. - Darren Kramer's first period goal put Spokane in the lead for good as the Chiefs easily skated past the Tri-City Americans 5-1 before 5,691 Monday night at the Toyota Center.

The Chiefs' Matt Marantz found the net at the 9-minute mark to open the scoring, and teammates Kenton Miller, Levko Koper and Brenden Kichton also had goals. Koper and Marantz added assists.

Kichton's goal gives him 20 for the season, the first Spokane defensemen to achieve that milestone since Brian McCave in the 1993-94 season.

With the win, the Chiefs (38-16-4-2, 82 points) move a game ahead of Portland into first place in the U.S. Division.

Spokane hosts Seattle on Wednesday at 7 p.m.