Chiefs need breakthrough in series with Royals

With a break here and there, the Spokane Chiefs might be talking about finishing off the Victoria Royals rather than desperately needing a win to get back in their Western Hockey League first-round series. The Chiefs, trailing the best-of-seven series 2-0 after a pair of overtime losses in British Columbia, host Victoria on Wednesday and Thursday at the Arena. Read story

The other Western Conference playoff series are unfolding mostly as predicted, although eighth-seeded Tri-City edged top-seeded Kelowna 4-3 on Tuesday to cut the Rockets’ series lead to 2-1.

Second-seeded Portland leads No. 7 Vancouver 3-0 and fourth-seeded Seattle also has a 3-0 lead after Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime win over No. 5 Everett.

The Eastern Conference is a bit more unsettled, although top-seeded Edmonton took a 3-0 lead on No. 8 Prince Albert after Tuesday’s 4-3 comeback win. No. 7 Brandon is pulling off the biggest stunner, leading No. 2 Regina 2-0, and third-seeded Calgary is attempting to hold off No. 6 Kootenay after the teams split the first four games. In what figures to be a close series, No. 4 Medicine Hat leads No. 5 Swift Current 2-1.