Dylan Walchuk’s Spokane Chiefs pulled even with the Tri-City Americans in their Western Hockey League Western Conference semifinal series with a 3-2 win in Game 4 Friday night at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
Walchuk, a former Vernon Viper, was a plus-2 in the win, which was secured by Dominik Uher’s overtime winner. Collin Valcourt and Mitch Holmberg scored for Spokane in regulation.
Adam Hughesman and Derek Ryckman answered for Tri-City.
The Americans entertained the Chiefs in Game 5 Saturday night, with Game 6 slated for Monday in Spokane.
Meanwhile, Curtis Lazar’s Edmonton Oil Kings will battle the Moose Jaw Warriors for the WHL Eastern Conference title starting with Game 1 Friday in Edmonton.
Lazar, a 17-year-old Vernon product, leads all WHL rookies with four goals and six assists in eight playoff games.
The Oil Kings swept the Brandon Wheat Kings in their Eastern semi.
– The Brooks Bandits were one win away from securing the Alberta Junior Hockey League title heading into Game 6 against the host Fort MacMurray Oil Barons Saturday night.
Dakota Mason and R.J. Reed each recorded a goal and assist as the Bandits iced the Oil Barons 4-1 in Game 5 Thursday night in Brooks to take a 3-2 series lead.
The AJHL winner will host the BCHL champion Penticton Vees in the Doyle Cup regional series, starting with Game 1 Friday.
