4/29 Recap: Boychuk scraps as Chiefs pull even

Riley Boychuk finished -3 with a fighting major Friday as Portland got hammered by Spokane, 8-3. Thrashers prospect Levko Koper notched a hat trick and an assist for the Chiefs, who evened the WHL Western Conference Final at two games apiece with the series heading back to Portland for Saturday's game five.

After coming to the defense of 16-year old Brendan Leipsic on several occasions during the regular season, a Corbin Baldwin elbow on his 5'8 linemate twelve minutes into the game resulted in Boychuk again stepping in to earn an instigator, major, and misconduct.



This was Boychuk's second scrap of the season with the big Chiefs defenseman, as the 6'5 banger racked up an instigator and misconduct in their battle back in January (again stemming from the 6'5 Baldwin's hit on Leipsic).

In the USHL, Christian Isackson logged a -1 with a shot on a goal as Sioux Falls opened the Western Conference Final with a 5-2 loss to Dubuque. Thrashers prospect Vinny Saponari, previously dismissed from the Boston University program, notched a pair of goals including the game winner for the Fighting Saints. Game two is Saturday in Dubuque.