Reeling Chiefs scrape bottom
It’s official: The writers who cover the Western Hockey League have voted the Spokane Chiefs as the worst of the 20 teams in the league.
It’s been a constant slide toward that position over the past few weeks – reflective of the team’s recent play.
Spokane hasn’t won in nearly a month and has scored one goal in its last five games. Despite that, the Chiefs are soldiering forward after coming back from a winless road trip of four games, during which coach Bill Peters thought his team didn’t quit.
“We were in every game, we just didn’t capitalize on our opportunities,” he said.
So, now, the team must show its coach how it will finish the season.
“I have every confidence they’ll finish it right,” said Peters, whose mantra the past week has been: “There are still a lot of things to play for.”
The coach tries to motivate by reminding drafted players they need to continue impressing their National Hockey League teams. Players who are hoping to be drafted or signed as free agents also have that inspiration. There is the ongoing evaluation of this year’s team as Spokane looks at its roster for next season. If all else fails, Peters has spurred his team to play for the “organization” or “respect for the game.”
They are all high ideals, but the truth remains that Spokane is just one loss or one Tri-City victory away from elimination in the WHL playoff race.
As they try to ignore the apparent inevitable, Chiefs players were on the ice at Eagles Ice-A-Rena – trying to keep the mood light and working under the watchful eyes of Peters and assistant coach Kevin Sawyer, who will continue to challenge them.
“It’ll be as tough as you want it to be to finish the year,” said Peters. “As a coaching staff, we’re going to keep working at it, practicing – our routine isn’t going to change.”
Peters and his team were preparing for two home games this week, before they take off for two more road games. Spokane hosts Seattle tonight and Tri-City on Saturday night, looking to end an 11-game losing streak.
As is the case with teams on such skids, it’s the little things that are hurting the Chiefs: turnovers of the puck that lead to odd-man rushes for the other team; open nets that are being missed by the team’s top scorers; and the ever-present injury bug.
Spokane had just 15 position players on the ice for Monday’s practice and hopes to get a couple of those back by tonight.
In the interim, versatile forward J.P. Szaskiewicz may continue his extended tour on Spokane’s blue line.
It’s almost certain the Chiefs will have to do without captain Jeff Lynch (shoulder), as well as defensemen Dan Mercer (ankle, groin) and Phil Magistrale (knee) for the remaining two weeks of the season.
Rookie defenseman Jared Spurgeon (leg) is day to day and forward Michael Grabner (flu) is hoping to return.
It has been a revolving door to the trainer’s room lately, but perhaps the biggest factor haunting Spokane has been its lack of discipline.
Spokane is the second-most penalized team in the league and has one of the lowest-rated penalty kills.
In short, the Chiefs are making their task more difficult every night, giving powerful teams a man-advantage for long periods of time in almost every game.