Road trip offered mixed bag

The Spokane Chiefs aren’t happy with their 2-5 record on their recent road trip, but they say it isn’t all about the wins and losses.

“The effort was there each and every night,” said coach Bill Peters. “Obviously, the results weren’t the way that we wanted them. Even so, there were some positives to take out of the trip.”

First and foremost, Peters said the goaltending was “outstanding” every night. He was also pleased with the penalty kill, which was more than 90 percent on the trip and stopped all 15 chances over a three-game stretch.

“Some guys took a step and the battle level got better as the trip wore on,” Peters said. “That was a good sign. We could have easily folded our tent with the start we had, but we didn’t do that. I thought we played our best hockey at the end of the trip.”

Nothing may have been more encouraging, though, than the return of their captain.

Adam Hobson returned from his knee injury to score the game-winning goal in his first game back since Nov. 11 – a 3-2 Chiefs win over Saskatoon that ended a four-game losing streak.

Though he gave his team a lift that night and the next (as they posted their only two wins), Hobson was just happy to be back.

“It was unbelievable, it felt so good just to be playing again,” Hobson said. “Especially, just to come back with two wins and a couple of goals, I wasn’t expecting that. … Things just kind of fell my way and it felt really good out there.”

Hobson said he had some soreness in the knee after coming back, but nothing that would keep him off the ice.

Peters said Hobson’s return had tangible and intangible benefits.

“He was outstanding in Saskatoon, both an emotional lift, and on the ice he was outstanding,” said Peters, noting the team awarded Hobson the game puck afterward. “That was the kind of impact he had that game, then the next night he scored on the power play in Swift Current.”

Hobson smiled as he thought about getting the game puck.

“It was really nice,” he said. “All the guys were really happy for me and I was really happy to be back. To get the game puck, was just something special.”

Peters said the return of key players such as Hobson is important as the Chiefs try to establish regular lines and chemistry for the home stretch in a competitive U.S. Division, which has four teams in the top 10 of the Western Hockey League writers’ poll this week.

“I feel that our team can step up the last part of the season and really make a run,” said Hobson. “It really inspires us to make sure we have a home-ice advantage. We need to make sure we finish off in second place, maybe higher.

“We feel we’re capable of doing that.”

First place is nearly out of reach for the rest of the division. Everett (82 points) has already clinched a playoff spot. Tri-City (63) is next, followed by Spokane (57) and Seattle (56).

Ice chips

The team returned from the last stop on the road trip, Saturday night at Cranbrook, British Columbia, and had some time off before hitting the ice Tuesday at Eagles Ice-A-Rena. Tonight, they play the first of three home games this week. … Jared Spurgeon (knee) returned to practice Tuesday and should be ready to play. Judd Blackwater (skate cut, heel) is still listed as week-to-week.