WHL Playoffs Game 3: Spokane at Tri-City

Tonight is Game 3 of the Tri-City Americans and Spokane Chiefs first-round playoff series. The Chiefs are up 2-0, having won Friday (4-1) and Saturday (6-4) at Spokane Arena.

The Americans welcome back D-man Mitch Topping and forward Tyson Dallman tonight. Both have had lower-body injuries and have missed several games. No guarantees they will bring a win, but having them back is a bonus.

News flash: Luke Lee-Knight is starting in goal for the Americans. Troy Trombley played the first two in Spokane. Sometimes change is good.

In other Western Conference games tonight, Kelowna is a Seattle for Game 3. The Thunderbirds posted a pair of overtime upsets in Kelowna last weekend.

Kamloops, which has a 2-0 lead over Victoria, is on the island tonight for Game 3.

Portland and Everett, which split their first two games in Portland, will play Game 3 at Comcast Arena in Everett on Wednesday.

Not sure what the projected attendance will be tonight. It's Tuesday, which means fans have to cut back on their cold beverage consumption tonight because they have to work tomorrow. And, there is school tomorrow.

They handed out "fan fans" tonight. You fold up the picture into a fan and hit it in the palm of your hand. They can be quite noisy. First saw them in Calgary in 2010 during the WHL Finals.

By the by, there is no TV tonight. We at the Herald were misinformed. Sorry for that.

You can follow me throughout the game on Twitter: @tchicequeen

This story was originally published March 26, 2013 at 6:17 PM with the headline "WHL Playoffs Game 3: Spokane at Tri-City."