The Victoria Royals led 3-2 in the first period but that鈥檚 as good as it got for them in Western Hockey League action Friday night in eastern Washington state.
The Spokane Chiefs (28-17-6) scored the final six goals in an 8-3 victory.
Kaid Oliver, with his team leading 22nd goal of the season, Kody McDonald and defenceman Mitchell Prowse scored for the Victoria (26-22-3) in the opening period. McDonald鈥檚 was a power-play goal as the Royals went 1-4 with the man advantage.
Spokane鈥檚 power play, meanwhile, was lethal at 4-8.
Ethan McIndoe led the Chiefs with two goals on a four point night. Los Angeles Kings鈥� prospect Jaret Anderson-Dolan added a goal.
A harried Griffen Outhouse faced 48 shots in goal for Victoria. The Royals mustered 30 shots on the Chiefs鈥� Bailey Brkin.
The game was the first in a five-game, 1,700-kilometre road trip for the Royals, which continues tonight in Kennewick, Washington, against the Tri-City Americans, followed by games Wednesday in Kamloops and back-to-back contests next Friday and Saturday in Prince George.
The Royals conclude six games in a row against American Division opponents tonight in Kennewick. The Royals are 2-2-1 in that stretch following Friday鈥檚 nights loss.
鈥淪pokane and Tri-City are both tough buildings to win in,鈥� said Victoria head coach Dan Price.
The Royals were again missing veteran defenceman Ralph Jarratt in Spokane. He is week to week with a lower-body injury and is not on the travel leg to Spokane and Tri-City, but the club has not ruled out a return in Kamloops or Prince George. The 20-year-old has only played 25 games this season.
