SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Chiefs opened their home schedule with a 3-2 win over the Tri-City Americans on Saturday night in front of 9,057 fans at Numerica Veterans Arena.
The night began with a special pregame ceremony announcing Spokane’s leadership group for the 2026-27 season. Calgary Flames prospect Chase Harrington was named captain, with Owen Martin, Rhett Sather, Marek Howell and Gavin Burcar serving as alternate captains.
Harrington wasted little time making an impact.
Just 3:42 into the game, moments after a Tri-City power play expired, Harrington picked up a loose puck and broke in alone, beating Americans goaltender Xavier Wendt to give Spokane a 1-0 lead.
Tri-City answered about 10 minutes into the first period with a Lukas Lima goal.
The Chiefs regained the lead in the second when Washington Capitals prospect Tyus Sparks scored his first goal of the season at 7:50, with Harrington and Burcar picking up assists.
The Americans tied it again on a shorthanded goal from David Huk midway through the period.
Then, with just 1:18 remaining in the second, Spokane defenseman Nathan Mayes fired a shot through traffic and into the net for his first goal of the season, giving the Chiefs a 3-2 lead.
That proved to be the game-winner.
Carter Esler stopped all seven shots he faced in the third period and finished with 21 saves as Spokane held Tri-City off the scoreboard in the final frame.
Harrington also completed a Gordie Howe hat trick when he dropped the gloves with Tri-City’s Dylan LeBret early in the third. The new Chiefs captain finished with a goal, two assists and a fight in his first game of the season.
Sparks, Mayes, Burcar and Sather each recorded points in the victory.
Spokane went 1-for-3 on the power play, while the penalty kill held the Americans to one goal on eight opportunities.
The Chiefs improve to 2-0 to start the season and will hit the road next weekend for a three-game stretch, beginning with back-to-back games against Portland on Friday and Saturday before visiting Everett on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Spokane returns home Friday, Oct. 9, against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The first 3,000 fans will receive a Chiefs schedule magnet courtesy of Numerica.
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