DUBNetwork Game of the Night: Spokane Chiefs (32-18-4-1) @ Lethbridge Hurricanes
A battle between two very good teams goes down in Lethbridge as the Spokane Chiefs begin the first half of their Central Division road swing against the Hurricanes.
Spokane is a single point away from clinching a postseason birth. They are third in the US Division with 69 points, seven back of the Everett Silvertips and 19 clear of the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Lethbridge, losers of two in a row, have already locked up a playoff spot. They are eight points behind the Edmonton Oil Kings for the Central Division title, and four points ahead of Medicine Hat for second place.
Both teams a loaded with offensive talent. Spokane’s Adam Beckman leads the WHL in points with 92, which is 10 points ahead of the next highest point-getter. Lethbridge is lead by Dylan Cozens, he has 73 points this season.
It’s the other scorers on these teams that make them special. Eli Zummack has produced at a high rate for the Chiefs this season, he has 21 goals and 47 assists and doesn’t often play with Beckman, giving the Chiefs two lines with a scoring punch. Oliver Okuliar is Lethbridge’s second-highest point scorer, he has 31 goals and 30 assists in his second CHL season, having played in the QMJHL last year.
The Hurricanes defense is as potent as anyone’s in the WHL with Alex Cotton and Calen Addison patrolling the blueline. Cotton leads all defensemen in points with 59 as well as goals with 18. Addison is second in defensemen points per game as he missed time during the World Junior Championships. He has 10 goals and 36 assists in 42 games.
Tri-City has a couple of defensemen that are no slouch either when it comes to putting points on the board. Filip Kral has been excellent for the team this season, especially when Ty Smith has missed time. Kral has 12 goals and 35 assists. Smith has added 11 goals and 28 assists. Kral has an upper-body ailment that could keep him out of action in tonight’s contest as he was listed yesterday as day-to-day.
Speaking of injuries, the Chiefs have a few they are dealing with; goaltender Campbell Arnold lower-body, indefinite, is not expected to return this season. Defenseman Matthew Leduc is also listed as out indefinitely. Defenseman Jordan Chudley (UBI) and Forward Brad Ginnell (LBI) are listed as day-to-day and could see action tonight or on the remaining games of their Central Division road trip.
Lethbridge only lists forward Noah Boyko as injured and he is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Spokane is likely to start Lukas Parik between the pipes. He’s played to a 15-7-2-0 record in his first WHL season. His 3.03 goals-against average and .908 save percentage are not stellar but he has had the advantage of a high-powered offense to allow him to not be as sharp as needed in some of his starts.
Lethbridge has a duo of goalies that have struggled to keep the puck out of late. If there were bets to be placed, it’d be wise to say that Carl Tetachuk will get the start between the pipes tonight. He is 19-9-1-5 with a 2.61 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.
You can catch the night’s action on WHL Live. Also, you can listen to Mike Boyle on 103.5 the Game FM for the Spokane Chiefs broadcast or you can listen to Dustin Forbes on 106.7 ROCK FM
In other WHL action:
Tri-City Americans (16-32-4-1) @ Swift Current Broncos (10-39-1-3)
Both teams reside in their respective conference basements. The Broncos are looking to avoid being the first team to 40 regulation losses on the season. They have lost eight straight games. Tri-City lost their most recent game.
Edmonton Oil Kings (37-9-6-3) @ Winnipeg ICE (34-20-1-0)
Both teams are riding two-game win streaks. The ICE is looking to keep pace with the Prince Albert Raiders for tops in the East Division, they are two points back. Edmonton will be looking to maintain or extend their Central Division lead, they are eight points ahead of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Moose Jaw Warriors (12-37-4-0) @ Everett Silvertips (36-12-3-1)
The Warriors are on their season-worst winless skid, the team is 0-9-2-0 in their last 11 games. They remain four points ahead of the Swift Current Broncos for last in the Eastern Conference.
Calgary Hitmen (31-18-4-1) @ Victoria Royals (29-20-5-1)
With their three-game win streak, the Calgary Hitmen have climbed within four points of the Medicine Hat Tigers for third in the Central Division, tonight they will use their game in hand. Victoria as just a single point from their last three games and are missing Shane Farkas between the pipes. The Royals now lead Vancouver by a single point for second in the BC Division.
