Food poisoning puts Chiefs games on ice

A widespread case of food poisoning has forced the postponement of two Spokane Chiefs hockey games - including the regular-season home finale originally scheduled for Sunday. Eleven Chiefs players were diagnosed with food poisoning, which combined with a number of injuries left the club unable to dress a team for tonight’s game in Kennewick against the Tri-City Americans and the Sunday finale against the Kelowna Wings. “Obviously the health and well-being of our players is the number one factor in these situations,” said Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz. “Unfortunately with this illness we are unable to ice a team for tonight and tomorrow. We appreciate the cooperation of the Tri-City Americans and Kelowna Rockets.” Tonight’s game with Tri-City now becomes the Chiefs’ last regular-season game on Tuesday in Kennewick at 7:05 p.m., and will be televised live on Comcast channel 78. The Sunday game has been rescheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. in the Spokane Arena. The Chiefs and Wings are battling for third place in the Western Hockey League’s Western Conference standings, with Kelowna holding a one-point lead with two games to play. “It’s an unfortunate situation that has caused us to cancel tonight’s game,” said WHL commissioner Ron Robison. “But given the situation, we had no choice.” Tickets for Sunday’s game will be honored Monday night as well as for any Chiefs playoff game. Spokane is scheduled to open the post-season on Friday.