Spokane Wa -

Kicking off their 25th year in the WHL, it only seem fitting that the Spokane Chiefs would host the Tri-City Americans in a classic rivalry.  Currently the Chiefs lead 7-5 in the 12 game series.

After the excitement of the ceremonies commemorating the 25 years of Chiefs hockey, the players took to the ice with thunderous applause from the 9,500+ Chiefs fans.

Spokane started out slow with missed passes and mishandling of the puck resulting in sloppy play.  It took no time for the Americans to score.  At 17:43 Tri-City Defenseman #23 Tyler Schmidt nailed a score from about the middle of the rink through several defenders.

This score shook the crowd and still did not wake up the Chiefs.  It took nearly another 7 minutes before the Chiefs Center #14 Mitch Wahl scored at 11:25 tying up the game.

Up until that score, the Spokane Chiefs looked cold.  The Chiefs started to gain their composure and began handling the puck a little better.

Newly acquired Chiefs Right Wing #21 Kyle Beach had a great opportunity to shoot with a one-on-one and reared back to shoot and lost the puck.  The crowd was not pleased.

During the first period there was one great body chuck by American's Defenseman #3 Jarrett Toll on Chiefs Defenseman #8 Brenden Kichton.

At the end of the period, the game was 1-1 with 14 shots on Chiefs Goalie James Reid.   

The start of the second period brought on a new Chiefs team.  They were fired up and heating up the ice.  In less than two minutes Spokane Chief Defenseman #24 Brett Bartman scored at 18:22 left in the 2nd period.  It looked almost effortless.  From this point on the Chiefs handled the buck well and began playing classic Chiefs hockey.

Spokane Chiefs Right Wing #21 Kyle Beach and Bartman really started to shine in the second period.

At 5 minutes left in the 2nd period, both teams were tied for 17 shots on each other. However the chiefs lead by one and started really controlling the momentum of the game.  Much better control of their passes, setting up on the offense and overall efficiancy.  The aggressive playing really began picking up in the last part of the 2nd period.

The second period ended with the Chiefs at 2 point and 21 shots.  While Tri-City had 1 point and 18 shots.

At the start of the third period, Spokane Chiefs Defenseman #2 Jared Cowens (took 39 seconds) 19:20 scores.  Chiefs 3-1.

Tri City's Right Wing #15 Brooks Macek and Tri City's Defenseman #39 Brock Sutherland were both Penalized with 17.48 left in the third period.  This led to another score by Beach with 16 minutes left in the 3rd. By this time the Chiefs had 30 shots vs the Americans 18 shots.  Things were heating up.

Chiefs Goalie James Reid had two excellent saves in a row keeping the Americans from getting back in the game.  Chiefs Beach continued to show the crowd that he was the right trade by scoring again with 9:14 left in 3rd. Score 5-1, Chiefs.

As the game slipped through the Americans fingures they became more aggressive and intense.  Tri City's #23 Tyler Schmidt and Chiefs #11 T.C. Cratsenberg started fighting with 7:14 left in the 3rd after number Cratsenberg pushed Schmidt.  Cratsenberg was penalized for 5 mins after trying to yank the helmet off Schmidt.

The Chiefs faced Tri City with one less player on the ice.  Jared showed he had no problem handling two Americans.  As many of you know, Spokane Chiefs Defenseman Jared Cowen was out with an injury last season with questions about his draft potential.  Well, tonight, Jared was back in full form. 

While Cratsenberg was sitting in the penalty box, Tri-City fought to capitalize on the 5 on 4 advantage only to  walk away with a single score made by Tri City Center #21 Johnny Lazo after 4 minutes of having the advantage.  It almost looked like they were not going to come away with any scores.

All in all, it was a GREAT season opener and a great foreshadowing of an exciting season on the way!