Spokane faces tall task with Giants

Wed., Jan. 25, 2006

By Jeff Bunch jeffb@spokesman.com

The thinned Spokane Chiefs will meet the reinforced Vancouver Giants tonight in a Western Hockey League matchup at the Arena.

The game represents a tall test for a Spokane team trying to end a seven-game winless streak. The Chiefs (17-24-4-1, 39 points) are last in the U.S. Division of the Western Conference.

Vancouver (31-12-0-5, 67) is second in the B.C. Division and is boosted by the return of superstar Gilbert Brule, who was drafted last season and stuck with the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets before injuries required the team to send him back.

Spokane, which is still trying to assimilate new players from the trade deadline, will have a bench shortened by injuries.

Out indefinitely are: captain Jeff Lynch (shoulder); defenseman Dan Mercer (groin); toughman Myles Stoesz (hand); and forward David Linsley (hand).

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Spokane faces tall task with Giants

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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