Chiefs To Open On Road Home-Ice Advantage Begins After Two Weekend Games

The Spokane Chiefs will open the Western Hockey League West Division finals Saturday and Sunday at either Kamloops, British Columbia, or Tri-City, depending on who survives tonight’s fifth game of the division semifinals.

The Tri-City Americans and Kamloops Blazers play the deciding game of their best-of-5 series tonight in Kamloops.

The winner will host Spokane on Saturday and Sunday nights. Starting times are undetermined.

Saturday’s game won’t be on KXLY Extra because of its commitment to Junior Bloomsday.

If Tri-City is the opponent, Sunday’s game will be on KXLY Extra (Cox Cable channel 14).

No road-game television coverage is planned if Spokane plays Kamloops, Chiefs marketing director Dave Pier said.

KXLY will carry Spokane’s first two home games in the series. The Chiefs are in the Arena Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 7 p.m.

If Game 5 is played, TV coverage will depend on ticket sales.

A few tickets to Games 3 and 4 remained as of noon Wednesday - 350 for Tuesday and 700 for Wednesday, all $7 seats in the upper sections.

Playing three games in as many weeknights here is not the greatest situation, but Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz is resigned to it.

“Obviously we have some pressure on our building here, but it’s used for more than just hockey,” Speltz said.

Spokane has a second-round bye in the playoffs for winning the regular-season division title. , DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: WEST DIVISION FINALS Saturday: Spokane at Kamloops or Tri-City, time TBA Sunday: Spokane at Kamloops or Tri-City, TBA Tuesday: Kamloops or Tri-City at Spokane, 7 p.m. Wednesday: Kamloops or Tri-City at Spokane, 7 p.m. x-April 18: Kamloops or Tri-City at Spokane, 7 p.m. x-April 20: Spokane at Kamloops or Tri-City, TBA x-April 22: Kamloops or Tri-City at Spokane, 7 p.m. x-If necessary