KENNEWICK, Wash. - Justin Hamonic's first career playoff goal late in the second period proved to be the game-winner as the Tri-City Americans defeated the Spokane Chiefs 5-3 in Game 5 of their WHL Western Conference semfinal series Saturday night before 4,587 at the Toyota Center.

Tri-City leads the series 3-2, with Game 6 set for Monday night at 7:05 at the Spokane Arena.

Steve Kuhn opened the scoring for Spokane in the first period with his second goal in the last three games. Patrick Holland evened the score with a goal late in the first for Tri-City.

Reid Gow scored 41 seconds into the second period for Spokane, but Tri-City tied it again on a power-play goal by Adam Hughesman at the 7:37 mark of the period. Dominik Uher scored his second shorthanded goal in the last two games to give Spokane a 3-2 lead.

Tri-City defenseman Mitch Topping scored 41 seconds later to tie it again, with Hamonic's goal giving the Americans the lead for good

Tri-City, which capped the scoring with an empty-net goal with one minute remaining, outshot Spokane 33-24.

Eric Williams had 28 saves for Spokane.