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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Chiefs, Ams likely playoff foes for 3rd straight season

Unless the Spokane Chiefs or Tri-City Americans lay an egg in the next two weeks, the teams will meet in the Western Hockey League playoffs for the third consecutive season.

That means the final seven-game sprint of the regular season for the Chiefs is a contest to win home-ice advantage.

Tri-City (39-24-1-2, 81 points), which lost 3-0 at Prince George on Tuesday, clings to a one-point edge over the Chiefs (39-24-2-0, 80) for the fourth-best record in the Western Conference. The Americans have six games remaining.

Under the WHL’s playoff format, the fourth-place team earns home ice during a best-of-7 opening-round series against the No. 5 team.

Kamloops locked up no worse than third-place with a win over Victoria on Tuesday. Spokane leads the Royals by 10 points, so strange things would have to happen to the keep the Chiefs and Ams from meeting in postseason.

Tri-City defeated the Chiefs 4-3 in a second-round series last season. Spokane beat the Ams 4-2 in a second-round series two years ago.

Spokane leads this year’s series with the Ams 5-3-2-0 with games remaining March 15 in Spokane and March 16 in Kennewick. Tri-City has won four of the last five matchups.

Both teams are on hot streaks. Tri-City has won eight of its last 11 and Spokane is on a five-game winning streak, including three road wins last week.

“It gives us confidence. I think our team game is better,” Chiefs coach Don Nachbaur said after recent home wins over Edmonton and Kamloops.

Spokane’s schedule appears favorable, with five consecutive home games before the game in Kennewick. The homestand begins tonight against Seattle and continues Friday against Everett, which is 2-5 against the Chiefs.

Kichton moves up

Chiefs defenseman Brenden Kichton should pass Levko Koper (2006-11) during the homestand to become No. 3 in franchise history for games played.

Kichton has played in 327 games, three fewer than Koper.

The blueliner should tie Tim Krymusa (1998-2003) for No. 2 (332 games) by the time the homestand ends.

Kichton, with 192 career assists, is two behind Pat Falloon (1988-91) for No. 2 on the Chiefs’ list.

Chiefs right wing Blake Gal will tie Mason Wallin (1998-2003) tonight for sixth place for games played, with 319.

Notes

Spokane backup goaltender Garret Hughson is 4-0 with a .937 save percentage and 1.97 goals-against average in his last four starts. … Alessio Bertaggia, acquired from Brandon during a January trade, has seven goals in 10 games with the Chiefs.