KAMLOOPS, British Columbia - Mitch Holmberg recorded a hat trick for Spokane, but the Chiefs lost their third straight game after a 7-4 defeat at the hands of the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League action in front of 4,527 at the Interior Savings Centre on Friday night.

Kale Kessy had two goals and three assists, Colin Smith one goal and four assists and Tim Bozen two goals and an assist for Kamloops, which outshot Spokane 38-28.

Blake Gal scored Spokane's other goal late in the third period on an assist from Adam Helewka.

Spokane (30-19-2, 62 points) travels to play the first-place Portland Winterhawks tonight at 7:05.

In other WHL action, the Tri-City Americans beat the Everett Silvertips 2-1 in a shootout to move past Spokane for second place in the U.S. Division and fourth in the Western Conference.