Injury-plagued Chiefs gear up for homestretch

The Spokane Chiefs return their battered lineup to home ice Wednesday night for the final stretch of games as the players make a final push to solidify a spot in the playoffs.

The Chiefs, who are down six key players, currently reside in the Western Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot behind Kamloops, which comes to town Wednesday night.

Spokane is also just ahead of Tri-City, which visits the Spokane Arena on Friday. The Chiefs then finish off the home schedule against Kelowna before hitting the road for the final four games.

“To be honest, I’ve never been through this in all the years I’ve been in the Western League, 18 years,” coach Don Nachbaur said. “We’ve got almost as many players in the sick bay as we do who are healthy and playing. But I’ve got to give my guys a lot of credit. We’re competing.”

For most of the recent past, the Chiefs have played without leading scorer Kailer Yamamoto (64 points), forward Wyatt Johnson and captain Jason Fram (44 points). Recently joining them on the injury list were Evan Fiala, Ethan McIndoe and Jacob Cardiff.

Nachbaur said he couldn’t say when any of those players could or would return.

“There are so many injuries right now. It’s been going on all year,” he said. “It’s been a tough year from that standpoint because we’ve never been healthy on a consistent basis. But, we are hanging in there.”

The Chiefs (30-26-5-4, 69 points) are one point behind Portland (70 points) and reside in fourth place in the U.S. Division.

However, the Chiefs are also four points behind the Kamloops Blazers (73 points). If the playoffs started today, the Chiefs would play the first-place Victoria Royals.

But, Tri-City (65 points) is chasing the Chiefs for that final playoff spot and two of Spokane’s final seven games are against the Americans.

“They know what is at stake,” Nachbaur said of his players. “I’ve got a lot of respect for the guys playing right now and what they have been able to accomplish.”

Dominic Zwerger, who leads the team with 25 goals, said the players just try to focus on what is ahead of them.

“We are looking at it game to game, period to period,” he said. “This time of year, you’ve got to buckle down and give all you’ve got. We’ve got two huge games coming up. You can’t look forward too much.”

For a season that starts in September and could last until late May, Zwerger said he’s not ready for it to end.

“It’s what we love and want to do every day,” he said. “You have to play in the moment.”

Markson Bechtold (43 points), who along with Zwerger are among the few forwards healthy enough to play, said the team has to find a way to win this time of year.

“It’s definitely big,” Bechtold said of the final three home games. “You want to put on a good show for the fans … and do the best we can. Every game is important right now.”

Nachbaur has had to play several younger players to fill the holes left in the roster.

“We’ve built a lot of character through all these injuries and I think a lot of guys have taken some big steps,” he said. “That has helped in the development and the mental toughness.

“This time of year we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” he continued, “but in that process, there have been a lot of kids who have really showed their character. It’s been a pleasant surprise.”