Chiefs No. 3 seed, opponent unknown
The Spokane Chiefs' 6-4 loss at Tri-City on Saturday night answered a few questions and left a few hanging.
The Chiefs are the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference when the Western Hockey League playoffs start in a few days. Who they'll play will be determined do as they're slotted against the only spot still undecided.
On an individual level, Spokane's Tyler Johnson has wrapped up the goal scoring title but with a final game in Portland tonight will have a shot at the overall scoring championship.
Read on.
Playoff pairings:
No. 1 Portland vs. No. 8 Everett
No. 2 Kelowna vs. No. 7 Prince George
No. 3 Spokane vs. Chilliwack/Vancouver
No. 4 Tri-City vs. Chilliwack/Vancouver
Chilliwack is one point ahead of Vancouver but the Giants are home against Everett tonight at 5, the same time the Chiefs take on Portland.
The Spokane-Portland game is interesting on a couple of fronts.
Johnson started the day 2 points behind Linden Vey of Medicine Hat in the scoring race (Vey now has a first-period assist). The question is if the Chiefs, after winning nine straight to have a shot at making this game important, shuts it down to the extend the top lines rest a little. And what does Portland do? Johnson has 52 goals, thanks to a late goal at Tri. The person with 51, Ryan Howse of Chilliwack, who is done for the regular season.
The other question is if there is a goalie controversy brewing in Spokane. James Reid, who had gotten back in form after an injury, was pulled in Tri-City Saturday night. His replacement, Mac Engel, became real good in the month Reid was out with an injury. It doesn't appear either goalie is the type that can alternate.