For a team averaging 3.04 goals a game, the Spokane Chiefs absolutely exploded with offense to begin their four game home stand. Friday night’s contest against the Vancouver Giants began innocently enough. The Giants escaped the first period down only a goal before the Chiefs went go on to score eight unanswered, winning 10-1. Saturday’s tilt with the Edmonton Oil Kings went just the opposite. The Chiefs entered the third period up 4-2 before the Oil Kings rallied off four straight. The Chiefs would tally a final power play goal midway through the 3rd before falling 6-5 to the Oil Kings.
With leading scorer Kailer Yamamato missing this weekend’s contests with an injury, it’s promising to see the Chiefs offense holding up without him. If there’s been another focal point of this 2016-17 Chiefs squad beyond the offensive skill of Yamamato- it’s been injuries. And while Friday and Saturday’s games saw an offensive breakout, last night’s contest with division opponent Portland saw injuries take a toll. The Chiefs only dressed 17 skaters to compete with the 4th place Winterhawks. Two quick 1st period power play tallies for the Winterhawks, and the Chiefs simply tried to keep their heads above water before finally striking late in the 3rd.
With the first half of the season quickly coming to an end, let’s hope Yamamato and the Chiefs get healthy and make a second half push to climb their way back into the standings.