Spokane Spring Sports Roundup

CHIEFS OF THE ICE

After enduring years without a single playoff win, the Spokane Chiefs are on the precipice of championship glory once again. Last week Spokane’s beloved junior hockey team made a statement by capturing the Western Hockey League Western Conference title with a 4-0 series sweep against the Portland Winterhawks. It’s the first time the Chiefs have made the WHL Final since 2008.

After finishing the season third in the conference with a 45-20-1-2 record, the boys from Spokane have ripped through the playoffs with a dazzling 12-3 record. The offense absolutely exploded in the Western Finals, as the team found the back of the net to the tune of 30 goals in just four games. That potent attack has been led all year by Andrew Cristall, who led the WHL in regular season points (132) and has been even more impressive in the postseason (37 points, including 20 goals, in just 15 games).

Meanwhile, goalie Dawson Cowan continues to be the most reliable tender in the WHL, having been in net for every Chiefs victory in the playoffs. And in his first year at the helm for the Chiefs, veteran coach Brad Lauer continues to showcase why he’s considered one of the best junior hockey coaches in the game.

The Chiefs now square off against the Medicine Hat Tigers (the top seed from the Eastern Conference) for the WHL’s top prize, the Ed Chynoweth Cup, and a spot in the Memorial Cup (junior hockey’s equivalent of a Champions League tournament). The Tigers have their own explosive offensive 1-2 punch via Gavin McKenna at left wing and center Oasiz Wiesblatt, and goalie Harrison Meneghin can rival Cowan between the pipes.

By virtue of the Tigers’ superior regular season record, the title series kicks off with games in Medicine Hat on May 9 and 11, before shifting to Spokane for games three and four, May 13-14 at the Spokane Arena (with game five taking place in Spokane likely a few days later as long as the series isn’t a sweep). Tickets for those games are on sale now at spokanechiefs.com/playoffs.

So far in their franchise history, the Chiefs have won the Ed Chynoweth Cup (and the Memorial Cup) every time they’ve made the WHL Final. Here’s hoping the third time remains the charm.

BIZZARO BULLDOG BASEBALL

It’s hard to recall a more befuddling baseball season than the one that the Zags are putting together in 2025. The team currently sits in second place in the West Coast Conference standings with a 13-5 record, a game out of first place. This despite starting the season’s nonconference slate 2-12 and being a .500 team overall (22-22), they’ve put themselves in decent position to win the conference championship, which would earn them an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament and a shot at making the College World Series.

But to put it bluntly, GU has been terrible against everyone not playing in the WCC. Yet after posting that abysmal 2-12 record at the start of their nonconference slate, the Bulldogs flipped the script starting in mid-March. While they’re still only 9-17 outside the WCC, they’ve been winning the games that count against their West Coast rivals.

There’s no real secret to the Zags’ sudden conference success apart from almost everyone playing better. The team’s season-long batting average and ERA sit at .265 and 5.51, but within conference those numbers greatly improved to .302 and 4.01. While there’s still work to do to make an improbable NCAA Tournament appearance, Spokane seamheads have just three more chances to see this unique Gonzaga squad when they hit the diamond for a final three-game homestand this weekend against St. Mary’s (May 9-11).

STILL KICKING

The Spokane Zephyr don’t want their inaugural season to end. With three games left to play in the regular season, the city’s new women’s pro soccer squad is fighting for the final spot in the USL Super League playoffs.

Goalie Hope Hisey has given the squad a strong presence in net, only allowing 17 goals over 18 games with 9 clean sheets (shutouts). Emina Eki is the heart of the Zephyr offense, as the midfielder from Bosnia and Herzegovina has notched 8 goals and 6 assists (twice as many goals and three times as many assists as any of her teammates). The Zephyr currently sit at fourth in the USL table with a record of 10-8-7, but are tied in points with fifth place Brooklyn FC. Considering only the top four make the postseason, the final three games of the Zephyr season will be high drama — starting with this Saturday’s massive showdown against Brooklyn and concluding with a home finale versus Fort Lauderdale United FC on May 31 at ONE Spokane Stadium.

On the men’s side of the pitch, the Spokane Velocity have started out their second season on the right foot. With a 4-1-2 record, the team currently sits in second place in the USL League One table and additionally notched an opening win in the USL Jägermeister Cup against Oakland Roots SC. Anuar Peláez and Luis Gil have led the offense with 4 and 3 goals respectively, while the goalie Carlos Merancio Valdez has been superb — not allowing more than one goal in any game since the opener. 

DRAFT DAYS

There was plenty of Inland Northwest flavor to this year’s NFL Draft, and it started at the very top. After transferring to Miami to play last season, former Wazzu star quarterback Cam Ward was drafted with the No. 1 pick by the Tennessee Titans, where he hopes to bring some of that Palouse magic to the Music City.

One of Ward’s favorite targets at WSU was the only real draft pick from one of the Inland Northwest schools — wide receiver Kyle Williams. The gifted pass catcher was picked by the New England Patriots with the fifth pick in the third round. Williams heads to a pretty unimpressive wide receiver room, so he has a chance to make a real impact as one of young QB Drake Maye’s best weapons.

After the draft concluded a few more players from our region signed undrafted free agent contracts in the hopes of making an NFL roster: WSU offensive tackle Esa Pole (Chiefs), EWU wideout Efton Chism III (Patriots) and Idaho safety Tommy McCormick (Giants).

EJIM’S FEVER DREAM

On the hoops side of drafting, former Gonzaga star Yvonne Ejim heard her name called WNBA Draft which was held in mid-April. The Canadian post presence was picked by the Indiana Fever with the No. 8 pick in the third round (No. 33 overall). It wasn’t exactly the ideal landing spot for Ejim. She’s unlikely to make the roster, as Fever look like they only have one spot open on their roster for all three of their draft picks (including No. 3 overall pick Makayla Timpson, who slots in as a power forward like Ejim). Regardless, players dream of getting drafted, and there are other paths to continue her pro hoops career.