New Chiefs’ Captain Chase Harrington with Gordie Howe Hat Trick in home opening victory over Americans
Spokane, WA – The Spokane Chiefs hosted the Tri-City Americans on Saturday night for Blue Moon Opening Night in front of a crowd of 9,057. In a special pre-game ceremony on the ice, the Spokane Chiefs announced the 2026-27 team leadership group including new captain and Calgary Flames prospect, Chase Harrington. Owen Martin, Rhett Sather, Marek Howell, and Gavin Burcar were all named Alternate Captains for the team this season.
Fresh off donning the Captain jersey, handed to him pre-game by former Chiefs Captain Brenden Kichton, Chase Harrington scored the first home goal of the season just 3:42 into the contest.
https://t.co/qyIJ9ianQq pic.twitter.com/TfB6bV4INp
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) September 27, 2026
Harrington snagged the puck and broke into the Chiefs zone as a Tri-City powerplay expired, scoring unassisted to give the Chiefs the lead.
Tri-City tied the game through Lima at 10:30 of the first.
In the second period it was another NHL prospect scoring for the Chiefs as Tyus Sparks opened his account for the season.
WHAT A 🇫🇮!
That's Tyus Sparks from Chase Harrington.😍@spokanechiefs | #WHLOpeningWeek pic.twitter.com/wctJvPQDMS
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) September 27, 2026
Harrington provided the assist as the Washington Capitals’ prospect slid in the goal for his first of the year. Gavin Burcar also picked up a point with the assist.
David Huk scored short handed at 12:08 of the second to tie the game again.
Spokane overage defenceman Nathan Mayes fired home his first of the season at 18:42 of the second to make it a 3-2 game.
The Chiefs held the Americans scoreless in the third and finished off the home opener for the win.
With a goal, two assists, and a fight, new Chiefs’ Captain Chase Harrington claimed the Gordie Howe hat trick in is first action of the season. Sparks (1G, +3), Mayes (1G, +1), Burcar (1A, +2) and Sather (1A, +1) each tallied a point in the win.
Carter Esler made 21 saves in his second win of the season, with the Chiefs going 1/3 on the power play for the second straight game. The Chiefs penalty kill was well tested, keeping the Americans out of the net on 7/8 tries.
Up next the Chiefs will visit Portland for two games against the Winterhawks next Friday and Saturday before playing in Everett on Sunday, October 4. Spokane’s next home game is set for Friday, October 9th against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The first 3,000 fans at the game will receive a Chiefs’ schedule magnet courtesy of Numerica.
