Goaltender Controversy Put On Ice Lemanowicz Undisputed Starter For Chiefs; Miller’s Future Bright

When the Spokane Chiefs rallied to win three of five games on their annual swing through the Canadian prairies last week, they remained in the thick of the fight for the Western Hockey League West Division lead.

In the process, a second goalkeeper stepped up, giving coach Mike Babcock the luxury of choice.

There’s David Lemanowicz with the glitzy 11-3 won-lost record.

There’s Aren Miller, with the better goals-against average and saves percentage, who won both of his starts last week.

Before you can say “goaltender controversy,” Babcock made it clear who’s No. 1.

“Lemanowicz is the guy,” the coach said Tuesday, before the Chiefs boarded the bus for tonight’s game at Portland. “Miller plays when I tell him.

“I believe in having one guy who’s No. 1,” Babcock added. “He has to know that and he can’t ever doubt himself.”

The chief Chief said the franchise has its goaltender of the future in Miller.

“We like Aren’s commitment,” Babcock said. “He’s lost weight, improved his fitness and increased his skill level.”

For now, though, it’s Lemanowicz with the grip on the starting job.

Portland coach Brent Peterson said the ideal situation is a strong starter backed by capable relief.

“One guy can’t carry it all the way,” Peterson said. “It’s the mental thing, playing every night. Fifty games is plenty for a goaltender in this league. You’d like to have a No. 2 guy who can play 22-25 games and give you a chance to win.”

Aren Miller, in other words.

Fading depth a concern

The Chiefs’ depth chart took a hit when veteran defenseman Joel Boschman went down for up to a week with an ankle injury in Saturday night’s win at Moose Jaw.

The Chiefs also are without rookie right wing Ty Jones, who’s out six weeks with a separated shoulder suffered in Friday night’s win at Brandon.

“The key on our road trip may have been the play of our fourth-line guys - Kris Graf, Derek Schutz, Mike Haley and Jones,” Babcock said. “They played so much and so well.”

Scratch Jones from that mix.

The Chiefs still have strength in numbers, but injury is sapping the depth.

With Joe Cardarelli (broken ankle), Jared Hope (concussion, his second of the year), Boschman and Jones out, Spokane is down to 21 healthy players, including the backup goaltender.

They suit 20 per game.

Of the wounded, only Boschman will be ready any time soon. The others are out for at least two weeks and, in Cardarelli’s case, it’ll be as many as two months.

The Chiefs are close to suiting up every available body.

“The bottom line is that the depth we’ve talked about so much isn’t what it was,” Babcock said.

Linemates on a roll

The Chiefs start a veteran checking line centered by Darren Sinclair, with Dmitri Leonov on the left wing and Jay Bertsch on the right.

Lately, that defensive/offensive threesome is coming up with key goals - just what Babcock envisioned when he set his lines in training camp.

Sinclair had the game-winning goal in two games last week, Leonov the deciding strike in another.

With six goals and six assists in his last eight games, Leonov is the scorer the Chiefs hoped he’d be before a broken ankle set him back a year ago.

Undrafted at 20 and playing for a contract, Leonov is finally turning some heads.

“When you come back halfway through the season like he had to - and you haven’t grown with the league - it makes it tough,” Babcock said. “He was a prolific scorer when he came into the country (from Russia) and with his injury, the adjustment has taken time.”

Babcock likes Leonov’s response to coaching.

“If you ever have to go after him - when you want more out of him - you get more,” the coach said.

Around the league …

The Tri-City Americans, on a tear since Daymond Langkow returned from the NHL, could be even stronger come January, the Regina Leader-Post reports. Tri-City could inherit defenseman Peter Buzek, who went to the Dallas Stars as the 63rd pick of the ‘95 NHL draft. Buzek is back with a rebuilt kneecap, recovered from a serious car accident. He’s skating in Dallas, the paper reports, and is expected to be an impact player in Tri-City … Kamloops left wing Hnat Domenichelli is WHL player of the week for the second time after running his scoring total to 62 points in 21 games. The Blazers captain is on pace to equal the league record of 212 points in a season, set in 1986-87 by Rob Brown of Kamloops … The refurbished Coliseum in Seattle - now the Key Arena - is no hockey palace. Portland writer Jim Beseda wandered into a luxury box Friday night and noticed obstructed sight lines. “You can’t see a quarter of the arena from the best seat in the house,” Beseda said. “What a joke.” … Portland coach Brent Peterson leveled a blast at referee Barry Kennedy in the wake of his 6-5 Friday night loss in Seattle, where the T-Birds received an 8-minute power play. Winter Hawks defenseman Brad Symes was hit with 12 minutes and an ejection for instigating, charging and fighting after catching Seattle’s Shawn Gervais with a forearm that opened a 10-stitch cut above the right eye. The T-Birds escaped unpunished. “They called nothing on the guys who started it,” Peterson fumed, “and he (Symes) gets kicked out. It was total incompetence.” … Stay tuned. That was only the first of 12 meetings between the two rivals … Although killing penalties for 8 straight minutes is unusual (Seattle didn’t score on the extended power play), Peterson said, “You’re never surprised. There’s usually something new in this league every night.”

Notes

Former Spokane Chiefs defenseman Kevin Popp is one of Seattle’s assistant captains … Defenseman Rob Sandrock is playing with Tier II Trail, British Columbia, of the B.C. Junior League. It was a deal of his own making. Chiefs GM Tim Speltz found a team for Sandrock in Melfort, Sask., but Sandrock - who figures he’s ready for the WHL wanted to play closer to home. “He’s a B.C. kid who wanted to stay in B.C.,” Speltz said. “He remains on our (protected) list and in our plans.” … Former Chiefs coach Bryan Maxwell is 1-3 since taking over hockey operations of the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Nov. 6. After losing three straight, the Canes presented Maxwell with his first win in his new job, a 5-3 decision over Prince Albert on Sunday.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SPOKANE CHIEFS AT PORTLAND Time: Tonight at 7 in Memorial Coliseum Records: Spokane (14-6-0), Portland Winter Hawks (6-11-1). Radio: KGA-AM (1510). Hockey Tonight with Craig West, 6 p.m. Key players: Spokane: D Sean Gillam (4 goals, 19 assists), LW Greg Leeb (16, 8), C Trent Whitfield (14, 21), C/RW Jason Podollan (11, 6), LW Dmitri Leonov (10, 12), RW John Cirjak (11, 11), RW Randy Favaro (7, 16), D Hugh Hamilton (2, 16), C Darren Sinclair (8, 12), GK David Lemanowicz (3.55 goals-against) or Aren Miller 3.16), RW Jay Bertsch (2, 4). Portland: RW Richard Zednik (17 goals, 15 assists) C Todd Robinson (10, 16), RW Brad Isbister (13, 17), GK Brent Belecki (4.55 goals-against), C/RW Matt Davidson (10, 7), D Andrew Ference (2, 6), D Brad Symes (2, 3), LW Colin Forbes (5, 14), D Brad Swanson (1, 10). At a glance: Chiefs are on the road one more time before returning to the friendly confines Friday night to play 10 of their next 12 at home before the Christmas break. Portland coach Brent Peterson is impressed with Spokane. “They didn’t have to put a rookie in their lineup this year,” he said. “They’ve got a veteran defense and lots of scoring power. It’s tough to beat them when they’re on. They have as much quality depth as any team in the league. You just have to be at your best and hope to catch them on an off night.” Chiefs are looking for fourth straight win on the road; Hawks have lost four in a row. Hawks may regain center Dave Scatchard, their No. 2 scorer when he went down 11 games back with torn ligaments in his right hand. Portland is struggling in goal, with Belecki and Scott Rideout rebounding from injuries. Belecki, who suffered a calf laceration in practice a week ago Monday, is the expected starter.