Silvertips provide big opportunity

It sounds like a cliché, but Bill Peters may be right on the mark with this one: “They’re all big in this division.”

It has been the catch phrase of the Spokane Chiefs rookie head coach this season, as he’s positioned his team (7-7-0-0, 14 points) in second place in the U.S. Division of the Western Conference.

He’s right, they are all big. But tonight’s game is as big as they get for early-season contests.

The division-leading Everett Silvertips (11-4-0-0, 22 points) visit the Spokane Arena tonight at 7 on a six-game winning streak.

The Tips have been on a roll because of two veterans (goaltender Leland Irving and left wing John Lammers) and an emerging superstar (rookie center Peter Mueller). Lammers (22 points) and Mueller (20 points) are the last two players of the week for the Western Hockey League.

“What are they, 9-1 in their last 10 games?” asked Peters. “It’s a big game. You’re playing the team that’s in front of you in the standings. We’re excited about that …”

The Chiefs are in the midst of a five-game homestand and follow tonight’s game with contests against division rivals Portland (on Friday), Tri-City (on Saturday), and Seattle (on Nov. 9).

Everett is threatening to run away with the division if it continues at its torrid pace. Spokane and its rivals can ill afford to let the Tips get even further ahead. The teams have split their first two meetings (a 1-0 win and a 4-2 loss for Spokane).

“Both games in Everett have been real hard-fought games and I expect (tonight) to be more of the same,” said Peters.

Youth is served

Tonight’s game matches the WHL’s two youngest players: 15-year-olds Zack Dailey of Everett (5-foot-6, 155 pounds, born Dec. 16, 1989); and Spokane defenseman Jared Spurgeon (5-9, 155, Nov. 29, 1989).

Spurgeon has earned the trust of the coaching staff. He’s found himself on the ice for lots of regular shifts, the power play, and the penalty kill.

“He’s a guy who’s obviously undersized by today’s WHL standards, but he’s a good player,” said Peters. “He’s a smart player, moves the puck very well from the back end to our forwards, and he’s very composed and plays with a lot of poise.”

For his part, Spurgeon said his early-season ice time has been a bonus.

He’s tried to make the most of his ice time, both in game situations and in practice, to learn the skills needed at this level. He spent last season playing Midget Triple-A hockey in his hometown of Edmonton, Alberta.

“It’s a big leap, because of the size of the players. … It’s taken a while to get used to, but now that I’ve been up here, I’m starting to get used to it,” Spurgeon said.

Spreading the load

There is a lot of scoring pressure on Spokane’s big two: Chad Klassen (15 points) and Derek Ryan (14).

That’s why the emergence of other players has been a bonus for the Chiefs.

Most recently, Chris Bruton (five goals, four assists, nine points), Adam Hobson (four goals, one assist, five points), and Michael Grabner (four goals, three assists, seven points) have it going.

“I think our offense is really coming around now,” said Bruton. “Even young guys like (rookie Drayson) Bowman are really getting in there and putting the puck into the net. So, as a collective group, we’re starting to get it done.”

Bruton and Grabner, in particular, have been good for each other. Grabner has all of his points in the last four games after a slow start.