Old news: Chiefs open at Tri-City

Marcus Messier has witnessed four Western Hockey League season openers between the Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans. But this year, in his final season in the league, Messier will experience the opener from the other side. As recent tradition dictates, Messier and his Chiefs will open the WHL season against Tri-City at 7 tonight (Saturday) at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. Messier, a 20-year-old center, was acquired by the Chiefs from Tri-City about midway through last season. He had 11 points in 32 games with Spokane after totaling 20 in 39 games with the Americans. “Opening night, no matter where you are, you’re excited,” Messier said. … “I’m still going to get the same chills I had at 16 going into that building.” Spokane had the upper hand against Tri-City all last year, winning the season opener 6-2 and finishing 8-3-0-1 against the Americans. But the Chiefs are rebuilding this season while the Americans have one of the league’s top goaltenders in Eric Comrie, who broke the franchise record last season with 1,849 saves. Tri-City finished 3-0 against Spokane during the preseason, winning two games in overtime and holding the Chiefs to one goal in each game. Spokane scored just eight goals in its final six preseason games, so offensive production will be a big focus for a team that lost its top three scorers from last season: Mitch Holmberg, 118 points, graduated; Mike Aviani, 81, graduated; and Reid Gow, 62, chose not to return. The team’s leading returning scorer, defenseman Jason Fram (57 points), will miss the opener after earning an invitation to the Calgary Flames’ main training camp this weekend. “With such a young lineup, they’re still learning (the process),” said Chiefs fifth-year head coach Don Nachbaur, who previously coached Tri-City. “And we’re going to learn how to score. We’re not going to put up one goal every night and expect to win, but to win you have to be competitive and you have to have some good details to your game.” Messier and the team’s other overage players – center Liam Stewart and right wing Connor Chartier – can help with the young players’ transition. “As a 20-year-old you have a lot of responsibilities, but we have to use our experience in the league and just lead the way, really,” Stewart said. “Give good examples to the young guys, show them how to play and how to work hard, on and off the ice, and hopefully they follow.” The first opportunity will come tonight in Kennewick. At least one veteran welcomes the chance for Spokane to begin league play on Tri-City’s home ice for the fifth consecutive year. “I think it fits perfectly,” fourth-year Chiefs player Chartier said. “We’re big-time rivals with Tri-City. I think we love it and the fans love it.” Spokane’s home opener will be Sept. 27 at the Arena against Tri-City. The Chiefs will play nine of their first 14 games at home.