Spokane continued to support the team, consistently averaging 6,000–7,000 fans per game, one of the top figures in the Western and Canadian Hockey Leagues. The Chiefs are also known for a goal celebration often called the 'best in junior hockey.'[3]
The Chiefs and the
Portland Winterhawks made history again in the playoffs in 2010, as Portland beat Spokane in the Western Conference quarterfinals, four games to three. It is the only series in
Western Hockey League history in which the home team did not win a game.[4]
On May 4, 2010, the Chiefs announced
Hardy Sauter's contract was not extended, ending his two-year stint as the team's head coach.[5] Weeks later, former Tri-City coach Don Nachbaur unexpectedly resigned from a coaching position in the AHL and was named the new head coach of the Chiefs hours later.[6]
Outdoor hockey game
The WHL's first outdoor hockey game was played in Spokane on January 15, 2011, between the Chiefs and the
Kootenay Ice. Weather played a critical role in the lead up to the game and on game day itself. Initial forecasts called for arctic temperatures and more than a foot of snow falling on January 15. That changed the week of the game, when a warm Pacific storm went through the northwest and melted nearly a foot of snow already on the ground in Spokane. The temperatures on game day reached 50-degrees and there was no snow. Moments before the puck dropped, the sky turned cloudy and hid the sun allowing for optimal conditions. In the end, the game was played at Avista Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd of 7,075. While they enjoyed the experience, many fans complained about the view from their seats at Avista Stadium. Fans who bought front-row tickets discovered they were eye-level with the side boards, making only the upper-part of the players' bodies visible and making it impossible to see the puck.[7]
1985–86: Lost to Portland Winter Hawks 5 games to 4 in conference semifinals.
1986–87: Lost to Portland Winter Hawks 5 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
1987–88: Defeated Victoria Cougars 5 games to 3 in conference semifinals. Lost to Kamloops Blazers 5 games to 2 in conference finals.
1988–89: Out of playoffs.
1989–90: Lost to Kamloops Blazers 5 games to 1 in conference semifinals
1990–91: Defeated Seattle Thunderbirds 5 games to 1 in conference semifinals. Defeated Kamloops Blazers 5 games to 0 in conference finals. Defeated Lethbridge Hurricanes 4 games to 0 in WHL finals. WHL CHAMPIONS Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in first place (3–0). Defeated Drummondville Voltigeurs 5–1 to win Memorial Cup. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
1991–92: Defeated Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals. Lost to Seattle Thunderbirds 3 games to 1 in conference semifinals.
1992–93: Defeated Tacoma Rockets 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals. Lost to Kamloops Blazers 3 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
1993–94: Lost to Seattle Thunderbirds 3 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
1994–95: Advanced past round-robin tournament with 3–1 record. Lost to Tri-City Americans 4 games to 3 in conference semifinals.
1995–96: Defeated Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals. Earned second round bye. Defeated Kamloops Blazers 4 games to 2 in conference finals. Lost to Brandon Wheat Kings 4 games to 1 in WHL Finals.
1996–97: Defeated Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals. Lost to Prince George Cougars 3 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
1997–98: Defeated Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals. Defeated Prince George Cougars 3 games to 1 in conference semifinals. Lost to Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 3 in conference finals. Hosted Memorial Cup, finished round-robin in third place (1–2). Lost 2–1 (OT) in semifinal to Guelph Storm.
1998–99: Out of playoffs.
1999–2000: Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals. Earned second round bye. Defeated Prince George Cougars 4 games to 1 in conference finals. Lost to Kootenay Ice 4 games to 2 in WHL finals.
2000–01: Defeated Kamloops Blazers 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals. Defeated Seattle Thunderbirds 3 games to 0 in conference semifinals. Lost to Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
2001–02: Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals. Lost to Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 2 in conference semifinals.
2002–03: Defeated Portland Winter Hawks 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals. Lost to Kelowna Rockets 4 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
2003–04: Lost to Everett Silvertips 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
2004–05: Out of playoffs.
2005–06: Out of playoffs.
2006–07: Lost to Everett Silvertips 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
2007–08: Defeated Everett Silvertips 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals. Defeated Vancouver Giants 4 games to 2 in conference semifinals. Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 3 in conference finals. Defeated Lethbridge Hurricanes 4 games to 0 in WHL finals. WHL CHAMPIONS Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in first place (3–0). Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4–1 to win Memorial Cup. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
2008–09: Defeated Seattle Thunderbirds 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals. Lost to Vancouver Giants 4 games to 3 in conference semifinals.
2009–10: Lost to Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
2010–11: Defeated Chilliwack Bruins 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals. Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 2 in conference semifinals. Lost to Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 2 in conference finals.
2011-12: Defeated Vancouver Giants 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals. Lost to Tri-City Americans 4 games to 3 in Conference semifinals.
2012-13: Defeated Tri-City Americans 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals. Lost to Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
2013–14: Lost to Victoria Royals 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
2014–15: Lost to Everett Silvertips 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
2015–16: Lost to Victoria Royals 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
2016–17: Out of playoffs.
2017–18: Lost to Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
2018–19: Defeated Portland Winterhawks 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals. Defeated Everett Silvertips 4 games to 1 in conference semifinals. Lost to Vancouver Giants 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
2019–20: No playoffs were held
2020–21: No playoffs were held
2021–22: Lost to Kamloops Blazers 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
All-Time Playoff Record (Not Including Memorial Cup Games):151–145