DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: Chiefs @ Thunderbirds 7:05 PST
Another episode in the series that is the heated rivalry between the Spokane Chiefs (24-14-2-3) and the Seattle Thunderbirds (16-21-4-1). This is meeting number six on the season for the teams, Spokane has taken all five games to date. The last coming in as a 6-5 victory that took overtime for the Chiefs to stay undefeated in the season series. There are a lot of points separating these two teams in the standings, although the points will play big in the whole picture, whomever claims them tonight in Washington State.
The Chiefs are trying to get back into the win column after losing back-to-back games over the weekend. Luc Smith has been playing some consistent hockey coming into this meeting with points in five of his last six games. Smith was acquired from Kamloops in a trade back in November.
The Thunderbirds are winners of four of their last five, and have just recently caught fire jumping into the last wild card spot in the Western Conference seemingly out of nowhere. Their most notable win in their last five is a 4-1 win in Prince Albert over the Raiders, something that can’t be taken lightly.
In their last meeting Eli Zummack proved to be the hero in overtime getting his 11th of the season, while Seattle’s Matthew Wedman notched two goals and an assist to earn second star honors in the game.
Potentially strapping on the pads:
Bailey Brkin (SPO) 2.766 GAA, .915 SV%- Posted an .889 SV% whilst allowing three goals in his last start vs. Seattle
Roddy Ross (SEA) 2.353 GAA, .913 SV%- Has never started a game vs. Spokane, has combined to average a .937 SV% in his last three starts.
Who to watch:
- Eli Zummack (SPO) 12G, 33A- Proved to be the overtime hero last time when the Chiefs faced the T-birds, has five points in his last three games.
- Mathew Wedman (SEA) 17G, 22A- Coming off his first hat-trick of the season, matching his goal total from last season in his last game
Other Games:
Moose Jaw Warriors (24-11-6-2) @ Prince George Cougars (16-24-2-2)
- Moose Jaw has only lost one game against a BC Division opponent on their current trip, that a 2-1 loss in their last game against the Vancouver Giants. On a three game losing streak, Prince George has now sunk to last place in the West.
Prince Albert Raiders (39-5-0-2) @ Victoria Royals (23-19-1-0)
- Prince Albert coming off their seventh loss of the season at the hands of the Kelowna Rockets by a 4-3 score after a shootout decided the winner.
