Chiefs open road trip with rivalry game
It almost seems scripted.
The Spokane Chiefs, coming off a dominant six-game homestand with five wins and a loss, hit Kennewick’s Toyota Center tonight. There couldn’t be a better way for the Chiefs to kick off a six-game road trip than paying a visit to their long-standing rivals, the Tri-City Americans.
“You play each other 12 times and if you can have a good head-to-head series then that’s where you get your separation,” Chiefs coach Bill Peters said. “It’s an important game as far as that goes.”
The Chiefs (18-3-1-2) have a three-point lead over Tri-City (18-5-0-0) in the U.S. Division standings that they are looking to extend. Spokane would also like to get its first win of the season over the Ams, who took both parts of the home-and-home series in early October – in overtime and a shootout.
Both teams are on a five-game winning streak.
“The way we’re looking at it is that we’re playing well right now and we haven’t played (Tri-City) in a while,” said Peters. “Both teams have changed since early in the year, but both teams are playing real well, so it should be a high-level game.”
It’s common knowledge that there is no love lost between the two Western Hockey League clubs. With the proximity of the towns, it’s easy to see how the rivalry developed.
Why it continues is up to the veteran guys training the rookies.
“It’s definitely talked about (when you come in), but you don’t really know what the experience is like,” Chiefs veteran defenseman Jared Spurgeon said. “Once you play in one, you know what it’s about right away.
“The crowds are always into it more – they hate each other as well, so it’s not just players.”
Both teams struggled against each other on the road last season. The Chiefs were 4-1-0-1 in the Arena, while going 1-4-0-1 in Tri-City’s barn.
“They’re definitely a good team in their building, but we definitely have a good enough team to beat them,” Spurgeon said. “We just have to play our game and stick to our systems, and we’ll be good.”
Notes
The Chiefs have a slight advantage in the all-time series, leading 113-102-1-3, with 13 ties. … Chiefs forward Curtis Kelner will have the night off to rest a sore shoulder. Forward Dustin Donaghy (hand) will be re-evaluated next week. … Dustin Tokarski, who leads the WHL with a 1.73 goals-against average, will start in goal for the Chiefs. … Chiefs veteran defenseman Justin Falk is fine after dislocating a finger during a fight in Wednesday’s game against Chilliwack. “He had an outstanding practice (Friday),” said Peters. … Drayson Bowman leads the Chiefs and is tied for second in the league with 39 points. Colton Yellow Horn leads the Americans with 31 points.