Chiefs look toward big weekend
The Spokane Chiefs are playing their toughest hockey at the same time they're preparing for their toughest opposition. Read story
With back-to-back wins over Seattle, the Chiefs have reached double digits in points (10) despite having played only seven games.
The Chiefs have scored nine goals in their last three games after being held to three goals in their previous two games.
"We have a little bit of a remnant of a first and second line right now, which is good to see," Chiefs coach Don Nachbaur said. "I wouldn’t have said that three games ago, just because of the injuries, but when you get guys back in the lineup, it adds to your depth and that’s a key for me."
The Chiefs and Thunderbirds played overtime last Friday and a went to a shootout on Tuesday, but Spokane was clearly the better team on Wednesday.
"After the past two times we played them, I was expecting (a close game), but bounces went our way and things just went our way this game and we were lucky to come out on top," said Liam Stewart, who led Spokane with two goals and one assist.
Now Spokane faces a huge challenge this weekend at the Arena. First up, on Friday, is Canadian Hockey League top-ranked Kelowna, which improved to 9-0-0-0 on Wednesday with a win over Kamloops. On Saturday, Spokane will host Everett (5-0-2-0), which has 12 points in seven games.
"(Kelowna is) a top-end team," Nachbaur said. "We’re not there yet, but we know we have to be our best with both Everett ... and Kelowna. These are the two toughest games we’re going to face this year so far."
