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Kramer gives Chiefs fighting chance

Spokane Chiefs' Darren Kramer, left, starts the first period with a fight against Kootenay Ice's Brendan Hurley at the first ever Rockstart Outdoor Hockey Classic at Avista Stadium on Jan. 15. Kramer leads the WHL in fights and penalty minutes. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs' Darren Kramer, left, starts the first period with a fight against Kootenay Ice's Brendan Hurley at the first ever Rockstart Outdoor Hockey Classic at Avista Stadium on Jan. 15. Kramer leads the WHL in fights and penalty minutes. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)

Darren Kramer, 22, is one of the most popular Spokane Chiefs. He is also their protector.  There's also another side to the Western Hockey League leader in fights and penalty minutes.

The team has a big week with U.S. Division and Western Conference leading Portland coming in Wednesday and rival Tri-City, just a point behind the second-place Chiefs, here Saturday. On Friday the Chiefs are at Everett and beginning Sunday play five games in eight days on the road.

Last weekend they lost in Tri-City 5-2, with Tyler Johnson's point streak ending, before rebounding to win 5-1 at Seattle, with Johnson getting three points to sit one-point back in the league scoring race.

SportsLink is your portal into sports news around the Inland Northwest and beyond. You'll find updates, notes and opinions, and plenty of reader feedback.

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Vince Grippi's daily take on all things regional sports has been moved to our main sports section online. You can find a collection of these columns here.