CHIEFS GAMERS

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Faced with elimination after losing the first three games of their Western Hockey League Western Conference first-round series against Prince George, the Spokane Chiefs extended the series two games with dramatic consecutive victories at the Arena on Wednesday and Thursday.

There's something about these Spokane Chiefs where they play their best when their backs are against the wall. It's an instinct that's keeping them alive in the Western Hockey League postseason.

No team wants to be eliminated on their home ice. Yet, the Spokane Chiefs were faced with that prospect on Wednesday after falling behind Prince George 3-0 in their best-of-seven Western Hockey League Western Conference first-round matchup.

There's an old adage that says a playoff hockey series doesn't really start until the home team loses. So, when the Spokane Chiefs lost the first two games of their Western Conference first-round series on the road in Prince George, Alberta, there wasn't any panic.

When you’re trying to solve a goalie who was an NHL first-round draft pick, it helps to generate a ton of shots and create traffic in front of the net, looking for deflections or rebounds.

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – The Prince George Cougars finished eight wins and 16 points ahead of the Spokane Chiefs, sweeping the four games between the two teams in the regular season. But when the Western Hockey League playoffs start, the records reset to 0-0.

KENNEWICK – It wasn’t easy, and it took until three games left in the regular season. But the Spokane Chiefs have clinched a playoff spot.

The Spokane Chiefs entered play on Friday with an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot – if they got a little help. They emphatically took care of their part of the equation but didn’t get the help they needed, delaying a clinching celebration at least one more game.

The Spokane Chiefs met the Portland Winterhawks in last year’s Western Conference finals – which the Chiefs swept to reach the Western Hockey League championship series. But the fortunes of the franchises have been much different this season, with both mired in the bottom half of the conference, fighting for their playoff lives.

KENNEWICK – Don’t look now, but maybe – just maybe – the Spokane Chiefs are starting to gain some momentum just in time for a stretch run into the playoffs.

The Spokane Chiefs came into Friday's home game against Vancouver 12 points and six standings spots higher than the Giants. But that didn't stop the game from turning into a hot-contested, penalty-filled affair.