WHL notes: Odds favor Spokane Chiefs for top draft pick

Postseason possibilities are the main focus during the final week of the Western Hockey League’s regular season.

But one team eliminated from playoff consideration has given the Spokane Chiefs a reason to celebrate.

The Saskatoon Blades (19-47-2-2) clinched the league’s worst record last week. Ordinarily, the Blades would own the No. 1 spot in the WHL Bantam Draft’s lottery, but Saskatoon traded that pick to the Chiefs in January 2013 for Collin Valcourt.

Although the Chiefs aren’t guaranteed the No. 1 pick in the bantam draft, their odds will be better than 50 percent when the lottery order is determined next week. Spokane will draw no worse than the No. 2 pick.

The bantam draft is May 7.

Chiefs set playoff dates

Spokane will open the WHL playoffs either March 28 and 29 at Portland or March 27 and 28 at Everett, the team announced Tuesday.

If Portland is the opponent, Spokane will host Games 3 and 4 on March 31 and April 1. If Everett is the opponent, the Chiefs will host Games 3 and 4 on April 1 and 3.

Everett (90 points) leads Portland by two points in the chase for the U.S. Division title. Portland has four games remaining, including tonight at Spokane. Everett has three left, including Sunday at Spokane as the regular season ends.

Potent Pats

The Regina Pats became the second team in the league with seven 20-goal scorers when veteran center Patrick D’Amico joined the group last Saturday against Moose Jaw.

“It’s easier to have success when you don’t rely on one guy,” D’Amico told Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post. “It’s different guys every night.”

No Pats player has reached the 30-goal plateau, but Adam Brooks (29), Pavel Padakin (26), Taylor Cooper (25) and Braden Christoffer (25) all have 25 or more.

The Brandon Wheat Kings, who lead the league with 111 points, are the other team with seven 20-goal scorers.

Sibling rivalry

Brandon’s race with Kelowna (107 points) for the WHL’s overall lead has caught the attention of two members of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn, 25, played for Kelowna for three seasons. His brother Brayden, 23, a forward, spent three-plus years with Brandon.

“They both go to the (WHL) final, we’ll maybe have to throw something on the line,” Brayden told Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province after Tuesday morning’s skate in preparation to play the Canucks.

Around the league

Victoria Royals 20-year-old Coleman Vollrath was named Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Week after posting a 3-0-0-0 record with two shutouts and a save percentage of .970. Vollrath totaled 53 saves while shutting out the Vancouver Giants on Friday and Saturday. … Portland Winterhawks forward Oliver Bjorkstrand earned honors as WHL Player of the Week after collecting five goals and six assists in four games. The Herning, Denmark, native capped his week Sunday with four assists and one goal during an 8-6 home win over Spokane. … Red Deer Rebels captain Conner Bleackley, who has missed 17 games because of a groin injury, hopes to return Friday against the Edmonton Oil Kings.