Chiefs Claim First Win Over Express in a 6-4 Game
Chilliwack, B.C. – Following an overtime loss Friday night, the Chiefs took on the Coquitlam Express, who had also come off a loss. The teams met for the third time this regular season, with Coquitlam winning the first two on home ice. The Chiefs looked to change the momentum and get their first win against the Express this season.
Saturday’s game started off similarly to Friday’s, with the Chiefs getting on the board first early in the period. A giveaway from Coquitlam’s goalie, Ryan Parker, allowed Jordan Geike to set Milan Mrsic up for his 3rd goal of the season, 3:27 into the game. Just over a minute later, A.J. Schaff had a breakaway turn into a penalty shot opportunity after receiving a slash from Coquitlam’s Tyler Russell. Coquitlam’s Ryan Parker managed to stand his ground and fight off Schaff’s penalty shot. Chilliwack continued to have great chances through the remainder of the 1st period, including a Ty Campbell breakaway as he exited the penalty box. Ben Laurette did his part to keep the score at 1-0, making a key left pad save after some nifty passing from the Express on the power play and saving all 8 of the shots he faced in the period.
The Chiefs started the second period the same way they did the first, with an early goal at the 3:57 mark. Nico Grabas, from behind the net, found Reese Shaw alone out front for his 6th goal of the season. This extended Shaw’s point streak to 11 games. Coquitlam capitalized on the power play at 14:55 with a goal from Todd Kilpela after A.J. Schaff took a tripping penalty. Late in the period, Coquitlam had sustained zone time, but Laurette made key saves to keep Chilliwack ahead. With under 30 seconds left in the 3rd, Dustin Renas scored on a rebound, marking his 9th of the season and 3rd of the weekend.
The 3rd period, just like the first two, started with an early Chiefs goal just 2 minutes and 11 seconds in. Jordan Geike got his 2nd of the season, assisted by Milan Mrsic, putting the Chiefs up 4-1 and leading to Coquitlam opting to make a goalie change, with Maddox Osaka subbing in for Ryan Parker. Coquitlam cut the Chiefs’ lead in half with a goal at the 8:47 mark by Georgios Stavrianeas after a rebound bounced right off of Ben Laurette’s pads onto the Express player’s stick. Nico Grabas reinstated the Chiefs’ two-goal lead with his 9th of the season at the 13:57 mark with helpers from Jack Plandowski and Olivier Beaulieu. With his assist on Grabas’ goal, Beaulieu extended his point streak to 10 games. Coquitlam wasn’t done yet, however, scoring two more goals at the 15:19 and 17:41 marks from Todd Kilpela and Will Distad. With 2 minutes and 19 seconds left of the third period and a 5-4 score, Chilliwack was desperate to avoid a second overtime in a row, and Coquitlam was desperate not to lose another. The Express pulled their goalie at the 19:03 mark with a last effort to even the score, playing 6-on-5. Chilliwack made no mistake, and at 19:48, Jack Plandowski buried an empty net goal for his 11th of the season to secure the Chiefs’ win.
The Chiefs concluded the weekend by securing three of four possible points and earning their first win against the Coquitlam Express of the season.
November was a successful month on home ice for the Chiefs, as they earned 11 of the 12 available points. The Chiefs will return to the Chilliwack Coliseum on Saturday, December 6th, for their Toque and Teddy Bear Toss game. Puck drop is at 6 pm against the Powell River Kings. Get your toques and teddy bears ready to toss as we come together this holiday season to support the families in our community!
Photo Credit: Darren Francis