Kamloops Blazers At Spokane Chiefs

Faceoff: Tonight at 7:05 in the Arena.

Records: Spokane (28-26-4), Kamloops (22-33-5).

Tickets: Available in all price ranges at $12, $10, $8, $6. Order by phone at 328-0450 or 1-800-325-7328.

Radio: KGA-AM (1510) 6:05 p.m. Hockey Tonight with Craig West. Chiefs coach Mike Babcock 6:20 (approximate).

Key players: Spokane: C Trent Whitfield (28 goals, 34 assists), C John Cirjak (28, 46), D Hugh Hamilton (7, 34), LW Greg Leeb (19, 48), GK Aren Miller (3.05 goals against), LW Joe Cardarelli (20, 39), D Adam Magarrell (3, 17), D Brad Ference (3, 15), RW Ty Jones (18, 22). Kamloops: C Donnie Kinney (38 goals, 42 assists), C Shawn McNeil (33, 39), GK Randy Petruk (3.73 goals-against), C Ajay Baines (28, 39), D Chris St. Croix (10, 32), LW Wade Burt (18, 12), LW Rob Skrlac (7, 9, 24 fighting majors).

At a glance:Chiefs seem to be building the late-season momentum that has marked Mike Babcock’s Spokane teams. They’re playing the Portlands and Seattles of the upper division on even terms now. Addition at the trade deadline of journeymen Chad Reich and Kirk Dewaele has helped. The rebuilding imperative common throughout the WHL finally caught up with Kamloops, where coach Ed Dempsey has had to play four 16-year-old defensemen. This is the team’s first sub-.500 year of the 1990s, but there is no outward panic. Dempsey has a contract extension and, with Tri-City stuck in last, the Blazers appear headed for the playoffs.

, DataTimes