Chiefs fall in overtime, still lead series 2-1

KENNEWICK, Wash. - Connor Rankin scored when a loose puck popped out from behind the net 10 minutes and 46 seconds into overtime as the Tri-City Americans came back to beat the Spokane Chiefs 5-4 in Game 3 of their first-round Western Hockey League playoff series Tuesday night before 3,112 at Toyota Center.

Spokane leads the best-of-7 series 2-1, with Game 4 on Thursday night in Kennewick.

Spokane led 4-1 after Liam Stewart's goal 6:34 into the second period. But Marcus Messier, Justin Feser and Drydn Dow scored for Tri-City over an 8-minute span to tie the game at 4 at the end of two periods.

Mike Aviani (shorthanded), Mitch Holmberg (on the power play) and Blake Gal (shorthanded) scored in the first period for Spokane, which led 3-1 after one period. Gal's goal was his fourth of the playoffs.

Tri-City outshot Spokane 43-38, including 8-5 in overtime.