Red Deer At Spokane Chiefs

Time: Tonight at 7 in the Arena.

Records: Spokane (24-11-3), Red Deer Rebels (14-21-4).

Tickets:$6, $8, $10, $12.

Radio: KGA-AM (1510) 6 p.m. Hockey Tonight with Craig West. Chiefs coach Mike Babcock 6:20.

Key players: Spokane: C Trent Whitfield (19 goals, 33 assists), D Sean Gillam (7, 29), C Darren Sinclair (16, 27), D Hugh Hamilton (5, 32), LW Dmitri Leonov (20, 30), LW Greg Leeb (24, 13), RW John Cirjak (19, 19), RW Randy Favaro (11, 21), GK David Lemanowicz (3.17 goals-against), RW Jay Bertsch (7, 10).

Red Deer: RW B.J. Young (28 goals, 16 assists), LW Pete Vandermeer (9, 26), C Jon Zukiwsky (12, 14), D Harlan Pratt (1, 2), C Arron Asham (12, 21), LW Greg Schmidt (23, 19), LW Mike Broda (5, 5), D Chris Kibermanis (2, 3).

At a glance: Rebels make their first stop in a four-game, five-night run through the West. Ex-Seattle T-Bird D Harlan Pratt is playing well as is former Tri-City American B.J. Young, who had a six-point night against Regina on Friday night. With 28 goals, Young has topped the final total of last year’s leader, Pete LeBoutillier. Rebs lost a prospect two weeks ago when 19-year-old import David Hruska returned to his native Czechoslovakia. Mike Whitney, who alternates with Chris Wickenheiser in goal, is the likely starter tonight. Chiefs are without D John Shockey (wrist). Joel Boschman is back and Ryan Berry is ready, so even without Shockey, Chiefs are defensively solid. With Jason Podollan off at the World Junior Tournament, Chiefs have dropped two straight but are unbeaten in their last eight at home. Watch them pick up the tempo on the forecheck and try to jump on the Rebels early.

, DataTimes