Chiefs enter crucial home stretch
The Spokane Chiefs went through an abbreviated but vigorous practice Thursday at the Arena, exhausted from a busy two-game road trip but glad to be playing the next five Western Hockey League games at home.
In fact, the Chiefs will play 10 of their next 12 in the Arena in what may prove to be a critical stretch in the U.S. Division race when all is said and done.
Spokane (8-9-3, 19 points) is holding on to third place by just a point and has played four more games than fourth-place Seattle. Of the next 12 games, seven are against U.S. Division foes (including three against Seattle).
“It’s a big stretch for us, there’s no question about that,” said coach Bill Peters. “We want to try and distance ourselves from other teams in the division and there’s only one way to do that – establish yourself at home.”
Spokane is 4-3-1 at home and 4-6-2 on the road.
Tonight, Red Deer and ex-Chiefs assistant captain Jason Lynch visit. On Saturday, the Chiefs host Tri-City as they try to get their first win of the season against the rival Americans.
The Chiefs will be without several key players again this weekend, meaning several younger players will get more WHL on-the-job experience.
In the training room are: Michael Grabner (hip), Judd Blackwater (head injury), and Evan Haw (knee).
After Saturday’s game, the Chiefs will have nearly a full week to heal. Grabner and Blackwater are aiming for returns Nov. 17. Haw is week-to-week.
Road weary
The Chiefs traveled to Portland Monday and played there Tuesday night.
They had an all-night bus trip to Kelowna, British Columbia, after the game, overcoming a flooded border crossing and snow in the mountains.
Finally, they played Wednesday in Kelowna, got back on the bus, and arrived at the Arena around 3:30 a.m. Thursday.
Special teams improve
Spokane has corrected its power-play problems and righted the ship in its last six games to become more competitive nightly.
During a seven-game losing streak, Spokane went 4 for 46 (.086) on the power play and was ranked near the bottom in the league in that category. In six games since, Spokane has gone 3-3 with marked improvement on the power play (10 for 36, .277).
Special teams play is a bigger factor in games this year with WHL referees making more calls that result in odd-man situations.
“They’re huge,” Peters said. “Your specialty teams have to be good. When you look at the teams that are in the top seven – and someone’s in the top seven in both (penalty kill and power play) – they’re usually first or second in their division.”
The Chiefs are 14th overall in both the power play and penalty kill with inconsistent goaltending.