SPOKANE - Mitch Holmberg recorded a hat trick in a four-goal third period for the Spokane Chiefs as they defeated the Tri-City Americans 5-3 in a Western Hockey League game Saturday night in front of 8,867 at the Spokane Arena.

Justin Feser scored 11 seconds into the game for Tri-City, but Jason Fram scored on a shot from the left circle for Spokane at the 12:01 mark to tie it at 1-1 after the first period.

After a scoreless second period, Holmberg scored his first of the night 1:02 into the third on a redirection of a Collin Valcourt shot. After Tri-City tied it 5:12 into the third, Holmberg struck again on the power play from the left circle for a 3-2 lead.

Marcus Messier tied the game for Tri-City at the 15:47 mark in the third.

Mike Aviani scored the game-winner on a rebound at 17:05. On the goal, Brenden Kitchton had an assist, his 184th point to tie Bryan McCabe for the most points all-time by a Chiefs defenseman.

Holmberg capped the scoring 19 seconds later for Spokane (2-0-0-0, 4 points), which had three assists from Dylan Walchuk.

Eric Williams had 23 saves for Spokane, which travels to Vancouver to face the Giants today at 4 p.m.