Chiefs continue trend of close, low-scoring games

It appears likely that the Spokane Chiefs will play many 2-1 and 3-2 games this season. Nine games into their Western Hockey League season, the Chiefs have played six games decided by one goal. Four of the final scores have been 3-2 and two have been 2-1. The Chiefs continued the trend Saturday during a 3-2 overtime loss to the Everett Silvertips at the Arena. Read story

The Chiefs will likely struggle to score all season. No Spokane player is ranked in the top 60 for points scored and the Chiefs are averaging 2.4 goals per game.

Although they’ve only accounted for 22 goals, the Chiefs have only given up 23. Spokane has been especially sharp on the penalty kill, ranking third in the league at 88.1 percent.

Spokane held Everett to 1 for 7 on power plays on Saturday, but the cumulative effect helped to wear down a team that was playing its fourth game in five nights.

“We killed too many penalties tonight,” Chiefs coach Don Nachbaur said. “We stood around too much for me. I know the reason, because we were tired, and (Everett) only played tonight and last night. They didn’t play during the week like we did.”

Chiefs goalie Garret Hughson ranks fifth in the league in goals-against average (2.15) and seventh in save percentage (.916).

Spokane will get another shot at Everett, on the road Wednesday.