Chiefs Battle to Earn a Point in Friday Night Rematch
Chilliwack, B.C. – Just a week after the Chiefs dominated in a 6-1 win against the Victoria Grizzlies, the teams met again for a Friday night rematch, with the Chiefs debuting their new third jerseys.
The Chiefs struck first 4 minutes and 24 seconds into the game as Dustin Renas capitalized on a second rebound that originated at the blue line. Ty Campbell and Olivier Beaulieu picked up the helpers on Renas’ 7th goal of the season. The first period ended with the Chiefs leading 1-0 after Chiefs’ goalie, David Di Girolamo, fought off all 16 of the shots that came his way.
A minute and 36 seconds into the second period, the Chiefs increased their lead to 2-0 after Nico Grabas picked off a Grizzlies’ pass, setting up a 2-on-0 breakaway for Boris Borin and himself. After some tic-tac-toe passing, Grabas got the goal.
The Grizzlies cut the lead in half 12 minutes and 20 seconds into the second period with a goal from Samuel Rousseau, assisted by Landon Mackie and Artur Gross. Just under 3 minutes later, the Grizzlies tied up the game after Artur Gross got behind the goalie to bury the puck as it trickled between Di Girolamo’s pads.
On their first power play of the game, the Chiefs got to work to take back the lead after another rebound goal from Dustin Renas. Renas’ goal from Reese Shaw and Nico Grabas marked his 8th of the season and put the Chiefs up 3-2. Chilliwack wasn’t done yet in the second period. Ryan Small drove the net at the 18:10 mark of the second period to get the Chiefs their 4th goal of the game. A.J. Schaff and Darik Olson picked up the assists on Small’s 5th goal of the season.
The Chiefs started off the 3rd period on the power play after the Grizzlies’ Michael Dowdall picked up a roughing penalty at the 20-minute mark of the second period. Chilliwack’s power play unit made quick work of the opportunity and got their 5th goal of the game 56 seconds into the 3rd. A.J. Schaff got his 3rd of the season with an assist from Connor Dick.
The Victoria Grizzlies scored a quick three goals in the 3rd period at 6:05, 6:50, and 7:09 to tie the game back up at 5-5. Samuel Rousseau, Landon Mackie, and Max Silver all scored in quick succession.
Both teams managed to hold the other off for the remainder of the 3rd period, and overtime was needed to decide the game. In overtime, the Chiefs and Grizzlies both had good chances, but ultimately, the Victoria Grizzlies got the win after Matthew Jenken scored at the 7:52 mark with helpers from Vidar Blixt and Levi Eiter.
The Chilliwack Chiefs walked away with a point tonight after this one got away from them in the 3rd period. They are back at it again tomorrow night as they face off against the division leaders, the Coquitlam Express, at 6 pm at the Chilliwack Coliseum.