Northwest Notes January 9, 2021

WHL says Chiefs, league will play partial season

CALGARY, Alberta — The Spokane Chiefs will indeed play at least a partial season as the Western Hockey League Board of Governors said it has made a commitment to play a regular season.

The start date for the season will be determined once final approval has been received from the health authorities in each provincial and state jurisdiction and it is anticipated the approvals will be received soon.

All models and schedule formats are being considered by the WHL. The 2020-21 WHL regular season will consist of 24 games — roughly one-third of a normal WHL regular season, which usually begins in late September.

Today's Zags men's basketball game to be televised on KAYU in Spokane

SPOKANE — Because an NFL wild-card playoff game is scheduled for that time slot on KHQ, the Gonzaga men's basketball game today at Portland will be televised locally in the Spokane area on KAYU FOX 28. Tip off remains at 5 p.m. PST.

The game will also be broadcast regionally on ROOT Sports and streamed online for viewers out of the region on The WCC Network.

COVID forces pause in Whitworth women’s basketball

SPOKANE — All activities for the Whitworth women’s basketball team have been paused after two positive COVID-19 tests by team members this week.

The Pirates will not play today's game at the University of Montana, or host Lewis-Clark State College next Tuesday.

Whitworth's men's team is still scheduled to play at Montana today.

Once enough members of the team are cleared to play, Whitworth's women will prepare for its Northwest Conference opener on Jan. 22 at University of Puget Sound.