Chiefs look to maintain consistency in WHL finals

By JAMES TUBB on May 9, 2025.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

The Spokane Chiefs have done a lot of things the right way to make it to the WHL’s Championship series. They hope they can continue it for a few more weeks.

The Chiefs look to represent the Western Conference well as they take on the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL Final, looking for their first title since 2008. They’ve lost just three games in the playoffs, a first-round loss to the Vancouver Giants and a pair of defeats against the Victoria Royals in the second round before sweeping the Portland Winterhawks in the West finals.

Head coach Brad Lauer hopes his group can maintain form and play how they have all year.

“There was some moments where the way we won wasn’t great but at the end of the day, you want to make those corrections,” Lauer said. “We found ways to win games and come back in games as a group. It showed a little bit of our character and then what type of leadership we have in our room to be able to come back.”

Lauer has brought championship pedigree in his first season behind the Spokane bench, winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2022 with the Edmonton Oil Kings. He says that experience is something he’s been able to pass on during series and between rounds, just helping his players understand the expectations of the moment.

He says helping players avoid distractions is just as important as anything as the lights get brighter.

“The hockey part is easy for the kids, it’s the distractions away from the rink, the tickets, the family, people coming in and now it’s a TV game, so there’s going to be some excitement for our young guys to want to play,” Lauer said. “But making sure, the biggest thing is keeping them focused on make sure we’re playing our game, our way that we talked about all year and stay in the moment. Don’t try and be something you’re not. Just be who you are, making sure you bring your game for our team game, and things have gone well so far.”

He’s had an exciting group to work with, from the top line of Andrew Cristall, Berkly Catton and Shea Van Olm to 16-year-old rookie forward Mathis Preston. Preston has eight goals and 14 points in 15 playoff games. That top line has combined for 39 goals and 100 points in the Chiefs’ 15 playoff games.

Lauer says it’s been a balancing act, much like the Tigers have had to do, of not laying too much pressure on the top line while allowing their younger players to succeed.

“It’s nice with a guy like Mathis playing on the third line, having the depth,” Lauer said. “First-year player, being able to find his way in playoffs and understanding as we go round to round, maturing as a young, 16-year-old player. That means creating offence for ourselves but doing some other things. So it’s nice to see where he’s growing, from the start of the year to where he is now, and obviously in the playoffs.”

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