Hey everyone...Voice of the Chiefs, Mike Boyle here.

I'm excited to start this new blog about our favorite hockey team here on KREM.com.

After the up and downs of the first half of the season, the Chiefs are now playing their best hockey of the season as they head into the final two months of the regular season.

The return of Ondrej Roman, the trade for Brady Calla, and getting all of the guys back from World Juniors have provided the Chiefs the stability up front to match the teams steady defense and goaltending.

The rookies have used their experience gained over the first half of the season to make solid contributions as well. Steve Kuhn has taken his game to another level with Captain Justin McCrae injured, while Brendan Kichton and Cory Baldwin have done great work filling in for the injured Michael Reddington. Reddington should be back in the lineup when the team heads to Everett Wednesday, while McCrae could be back as early as this weekend from his nagging heel injury. Ryan Letts, who's improved a ton from last year, should be back sooner than expected from his shoulder injury too.

I have no doubt that once the team gets healthy, we'll see a club similar to last year's Memorial Cup champs. It will be nice to get well soon, as the team will play Vancouver, the top team in the West, as well as Kelowna, next weekend. They'll be major tests and good indicators where the team sits in the Western Conference playoff picture.

The team's two wins over Tri-Cities these past two weeks have brought back some memories of last year's magical run. We all know it's a long season, and there's plenty of work to be done, but another solid week will help the boys build to the level they'll need come March.

Check into KREM.com every week, as I'll update with news on the team, as well as have interviews with coach Hardy Sauter and the players.

Chiefs head to Everett for a 7:05 game on Wednesday, then return for home games with Chilliwack on Friday and Kootenay on Saturday at 7pm. I'll have the call for you on 1510 KGA on Wednesday and Friday at 6:30. Saturday's game will start on AM 790 KJRB at 6:30, and then will be simulcast on 1510 after the conclusion of the Gonzaga game.

See you at the Arena!

4 Comments

G said:

I really enjoy your radio broadcasts and I look forward to following the team on this blog. Thanks for all your work. Go Chiefs Go!

January 26, 2009 10:16 PM

Matt said:

You can really start to feel the level of play from the team step up since the world juniors. I felt that we were really missing the offense from last years stars like Rutherford, Roman, Blackwater, and Bruton. The acquisition of Brady Calla and the return of Roman has added a huge boost to the lineup. Last saturdays 5-2 win against TC was the best game I've seen the boys play all year by far. Only a few small mistakes, but the big thing was the effort was relentless. That game was a great example of 'Chiefs' hockey. Let's cheer them on to a back to back run!!

January 26, 2009 10:40 PM

John said:

Like listening to you on the radio and your views on the refs when they do their typical "bad calls". I have been going to the games since the Boone St Barn days and I must say enjoyed hockey there more then I do today in the Arena. I dont agree with the trade for Calla but "Oh Well". I now wear ear plugs in the Arena because I am trying to save whats left of my hearing. The sound guy seems to like the high end of the settings.

January 27, 2009 6:29 AM

Jeff said:

Nothin not to agree with about the trade for Calla he has been great for us so far. I like compton as much as the next guy and he's got a ton of heart but calla is gonna be the 20 year old giving us a better boost and i'm lovin the trade

January 27, 2009 2:44 PM

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