Chiefs Update: Looking ahead

When the Spokane Chiefs welcomed in the Seattle Thunderbirds for a U.S. Division battle on Wednesday night, they were playing some of their best hockey of the season, which was reflected in their 7-3 thrashing of the T'Birds that night. Both Drayson Bowman and Tyler Johnson recorded hat tricks and each added an assist in Spokane's fifth straight win.

However, like myself, Spokane may have been looking ahead to their much-anticipated rematch with the Vancouver Giants on Tuesday when they entered the weekend facing a pair of road contests against Seattle and the rival Tri-City Americans.

On Friday, the Chiefs headed to Kent and were beaten soundly, 3-0 in another matchup with the Birds. Spokane outshot the hosts 36-28, but couldn't generate any offense even-strength and failed on three power plays in being shutout for only the fourth time on the season.

Travelling down to Kennewick on Saturday didn't serve as the remedy for the Chiefs as the visitors were greeted by Mitch Fadden scoring 14 seconds into the contest. Adam Hughesman would score just under 10 minutes later, which would stand as the game-winner as Tri defeated Spokane 2-1.

Again, Spokane outshot the home team, this time by a 42-36 margin. Spokane starting goaltender Dustin Tokarski kept the Chiefs in it with several terrific saves on Ams breakaways, but the only offense Spokane would muster was a great individual effort by Mitch Wahl on the penalty kill midway through the second that pulled Spokane within one. But Spokane failed on a late power play and Tri-City prevented Spokane from gaining the offensive zone, which meant Tokarski couldn't get off the ice for a 2-man advantage. With no late pressure, the Ams captured two huge points in the race for the U.S. Division title, an achievement they're looking to repeat from a season ago.

Nevertheless, the Chiefs now can turn their full attention to the Giants, broadcast on FSN Tuesday night at 7 p.m. from north of the border. Vancouver will be coming off a loss of their own to Seattle, 3-2, so both teams will be looking to rebound, as Spokane will be looking to avoid only their third three-game losing skid of the year. The Giants, meanwhile, have yet to lose two consecutive games in regulation this season.

Yeah, they're that good.