If you don’t count the two seasons when COVID-19 prevented the Western Hockey League from hosting playoffs, this spring will be the first time since the 2016-17 season that there will be no playoff hockey in Spokane.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – This time last year, Gabriel Hughes was wearing the uniform of the Gonzaga Bulldogs, mowing down batters across the West Coast Conference.
If you don’t count the two seasons when COVID-19 prevented the Western Hockey League from hosting playoffs, this spring will be the first time since the 2016-17 season that there will be no playoff hockey in Spokane.
The Spokane Chiefs had to ice a shorthanded lineup Friday night, and it was clear which team was outmanned. The Tri-City Americans, on the other hand, are still playing for seeding in the WHL’s Western Conference playoff race.
Spotting your opponent four goals is a good recipe for a loss. For the Spokane Chiefs, it did result in a loss, but not without a fight. The Chiefs roared back to tie the game with 2:02 remaining the game before ultimately losing in overtime.
The Spokane Chiefs haven’t had much success against anybody this season, but lately they’ve had the Portland Winterhawks’ number. Spokane came into Friday’s game winners of the previous two meetings against Portland, but the streak would end there.
For the second straight game against the Portland Winterhawks, a team in contention for the Western Hockey League crown, the Spokane Chiefs played better from start to finish.