CHIEFS, WHL

The Spokane Chiefs have had a chance to regroup, reenergize and relax – a little – after opening the Western Hockey League season on the road.

That season-opening four-game road trip - caused by the Promise Keepers being in the Arena, which is what kicks off John Blanchette's Chief-themed column today - concludes tonight with a game against first-place Everett. Then the Chiefs head back to the Spokane Arena for Saturday night's home opener against Tri-City.

Jeff Bunch covers all of the hoopla around the Arena-opener in a story in today's Spokesman-Review and on his Chiefs blog.

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In Everett, the Chiefs will be facing a team that is undefeated, but according to a story in today's Everett Herald, untested as well. The Silvertips' coach Kevin Constantine believes the Chiefs will be a sterner challenge for his team.

The Silvertips almost lost one of their former players recently, when Shaun Heshka was nearly killed in a car crash en route to Winnipeg, where he was scheduled to play this season.

The new stick rules in place this year seem to be helping one Seattle Thunderbird, according to this Times' story.

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