March 8th 2008

The Spokane Chiefs built up a 3-0 first period lead with all goals coming on the power play en route to a 5-1 win over the visiting Chilliwack Bruins Saturday night. The Bruins (26-33-4-4) remain in seventh place in the Western Conference, two points ahead of the eighth place Kamloops Blazers.

Drayson Bowman scored twice and Jared Spurgeon scored first period goals for the Chiefs who were a perfect 3/3 with the man advantage in the opening frame. Judd Blackwater's goal with three seconds left in the second period gave the home team a 4-0 lead after two periods.

Nick Holden got the Bruins on the board at the 8:37 mark of the third before Mike Reddington finished the scoring with just under nine minutes remaining in the final period.

Spokane finished 4/5 on the power play, the Bruins were 1/4. Matt Esposito made 26 saves in a losing effort. Spokane outshot Chilliwack 31-14.

The Bruins next action is Sunday when they host the Kelowna Rockets.

Ice Chips: Defenseman Brandon Manning made his WHL debut with the Bruins in tonight's game. Manning joined the Bruins earlier in the week from the BCHL's Prince George Spruce Kings...Not in the lineup tonight for the Bruins were Kevin Sundher, Brayden Metz, Liam Darragh and Scott Ramsay...Matt Meropoulis returned to the lineup after missing 19 games with a broken hand...Nick Holden's goal was his 20th of the season, tops among WHL defensemen.