Portland beats Chiefs for 15th consecutive time

PORTLAND – The time will come when the Spokane Chiefs defeat the Portland Winterhawks.

Friday was not the time, however, as Brendan Burke stopped 32 shots and Oliver Bjorkstrand scored his 35th and 36th goals of the season a little more than 3 1/2 minutes apart in the second period during a 6-0 Winterhawks win at Moda Center.

The Chiefs are 0-7 against Portland this season and have lost 15 consecutive games to the Winterhawks since their last victory on Jan. 23, 2013.

Burke has two shutouts this season, both against the Chiefs.

Nicolas Petan, Taylor Leier and Derrick Pouliot added two assists apiece for Portland. Petan has a Western Hockey League-leading 58 assists and improved to 83 points, seven behind WHL leader Mitch Holmberg of Spokane.

Bjorkstrand has 10 of his 36 goals against the Chiefs this season. Portland has held league leader Holmberg (46 goals) to three goals this season, all during a 6-3 loss on Nov. 29.

Spokane was whistled for 15 penalties for 39 minutes, including five in the final 5 minutes.

The teams will meet once more during the regular season.

Spokane (31-16-2-2, 66 points) had its four-game winning streak snapped. Portland (35-12-2-3, 75) won its ninth consecutive game and 10th in 11.