The Spokane Chiefs haven’t played in Victoria in 23 months and now will have to wait even longer.
The lingering effects of the pandemic are still being felt, even with the wide re-opening of sports since September. The latest example is the postponement of the Western Hockey League games scheduled for tonight and Saturday night at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre between the Chiefs and Victoria Royals. It’s because two Chiefs players have tested positive for COVID-19. The Wednesday game between the Chiefs and Everett Silvertips was also postponed. The rescheduled dates will be announced at a later point.
The WHL says all its players and team staffs are fully vaccinated.
“The WHL is working in consultation with the WHL chief medical officer regarding the matter concerning the Spokane Chiefs,” the league said in a statement released Thursday.
“At this time, the Spokane Chiefs have paused all team activities, including on-ice practices and off-ice training, pending further test results. The WHL will provide further information when it is available. In accordance with WHL policy, the Spokane Chiefs and WHL will not be providing comment or identifying the individuals concerned.”
These games were circled on the calendars of Victoria’s two goaltenders. Nanaimo-product Campbell Arnold, acquired in a trade this season, was in goal for Spokane the last time the Chiefs played at the Memorial Centre in December of 2019. Tyler Palmer was drafted by the Chiefs out of U-15 but was eventually picked up as a free agent and signed by Victoria.
The games were also considered as early-season crucial tests at the foot of the table in that the Chiefs (3-7-2) appear to be among the teams the Royals (1-11-2) will need to target in order to slip into a playoff position.
“The guys were really excited about these two games,” said Royals GM and head coach Dan Price.
“We’ll just have to wait and see when they will be rescheduled.”
It will result in two consecutive weeks of training for Victoria, which isn’t a bad thing, said Price: “We’ll get a lot of practice volume in. With all our new players, and the now-healthy bodies returning from injuries, it’s good to get this extra practice and time.”
The Royals next play Nov. 19 in Kamloops against the Blazers and Nov. 20 in Langley against the Vancouver Giants. The next home game, which now will be the first against a U.S. Division opponent in 20 months, is Nov. 26 versus Everett.
cdheensaw@timescolonist.com
