Chiefs swing for the fence

Not that the Spokane Chiefs’ home opener needs any hype, not with Western Hockey League rival Tri-City as the opposition, but the game certainly has an interesting sub-plot.

The Chiefs traded two defensemen for the player it seems every one loves to hate, Lethbridge forward Kyle Beach. (Here is our story , which was posted on the blog last night.)

Beach has a history with the Chiefs - and if you read the other blog posts on the trade you’ll see the famous punchout.

This trade is akin to swinging for the fence. It could be a home run - the Chiefs’ need for a big, scoring forward is well known. But it could be a whiff if it disrupts the lockerroom. However, Spokane management is convinced there is enough leadership on the team to make this trade a winner. It remains to be seen.

But what is going to be interesting Saturday night is how fans react to Beach. The punch-out was in Spokane, so fans are well aware of Beach. The guess is there may be some negative reaction that will turn around as soon as Beach contributes to a win.

There is this reaction on the Silvertips’ blog from Nick Patterson and his story in the Everett Herald. From Lethbridge, Pat Diedlecki’s blog and his story in the Lethbridge Herald. And then there is the take from Tri-City on Annie Fowler’s blog.