Americans to host Spokane

KENNEWICK - For a sixth consecutive season, the Tri-City Americans will start their regular campaign at home.

Tri-City will host the arch rival Spokane Chiefs at the Toyota Center on Saturday, Sept. 21.

The Americans will open with two consecutive home games. They will host the Prince George Cougars on Sunday, Sept. 22.

Of the 26 weekend home games, Tri-City will play 13 on Friday, 10 on Saturday and three on Sunday. Tri-City's schedule is equally balanced this season, with 36 games before and after the nine-day winter break, Dec. 18-26.

The Americans will go head-to-head with Spokane 12 times (six home and six away), including eight match-ups after the break. Tri-City will also play the Portland Winterhawks and Seattle Thunderbirds 10 times while facing off against the Everett Silvertips eight times.

Tri-City will play their B.C. Division counterparts (Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George, Vancouver and Victoria) four times each (two home, two away).

This year's schedule has Tri-City hosting all six East Division opponents (Brandon, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon and Swift Current) throughout the season.

Meanwhile, the Americans' swing through the Central Division will be broken up into two trips, one at the beginning of November (Nov. 1 at Medicine Hat, Nov. 2 at Lethbridge and Nov. 3 at Kootenay) and the other in late January (Jan. 29 at Calgary, Jan. 31 at Edmonton and Feb. 1 at Red Deer).