KENNEWICK, Wash. - Mitch Holmberg scored with a shot from the right side 1:06 into overtime to lift the Spokane Chiefs past the Tri-City Americans 3-2 in Game 1 of the WHL Western Conference semifinals Friday night in front of 4,351 at the Toyota Center.

Holmberg gathered a loose puck and scored unassisted for his team-leading seventh goal of the postseason to give the Chiefs a 1-0 series lead entering Game 2 at Kennewick tonight at 7:05.

Tri-City led 1-0 after the first period on a power-play goal by Brenden Shinnimin.

Spokane tied the game in the second period as Mike Aviani put back a rebound to make it 1-1 after two.

Spokane captain Darren Kramer scored in his third straight game on an assist by Holmberg to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead before Mason Wilgosh scored off the faceoff at the 14:34 mark for Tri-City.

Friday's game was the 12th time in the last 17 playoff games that the teams have gone to overtime.

Eric Williams had 29 saves for Spokane, which outshot Tri-City 38-31.