Today’s game
Opponent: Spokane Chiefs
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Everett Events Center
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Scouting report
Tonight’s game between Everett (30-20-2-1) and Spokane (20-27-4-2) pits the teams in first and last place in the U.S. Division. Everett dominated the last meeting 5-1 at home on Jan. 29 and leads the season series 5-2.
Spokane was given up for dead following the trade deadline, when the Chiefs dealt leading scorer Chad Klassen and No. 1 goaltender Jim Watt to Saskatoon for 17-year-old goaltender Kevin Armstrong. However, with the rest of the division cooling off a bit, Spokane finds itself back in the playoff hunt. The Chiefs now trail Portland by just one point for the division’s final playoff spot.
Spokane is led by hometown boy Derek Ryan. The 19-year-old center leads the team in scoring with 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists). Michael Grabner, an 18-year-old right wing, has picked up his play as the season progressed and now leads the Chiefs in goals with 21. Armstrong is 3-6-0-1 with a 3.45 goals against average and .887 save percentage since joining Spokane.
The Chiefs are still without captain Jeff Lynch. The 20-year-old left wing has been laid up with a shoulder injury. Spokane is also without enforcer Myles Stoesz, serving a four-game suspension for an elbowing major against Tri-City last Saturday.
Everett might get captain Torrie Wheat back. Wheat, who missed the past two games with a bruised foot, skated in practice Thursday. However center Zach Hamill, who missed the last game with the flu, was still unable to practice Thursday.
Nick Patterson, Herald writer
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