Buzzer-Beater Sparks Chiefs in Gritty Win

By Shaelee Dombrowski

The Chiefs come out on top in a high-tension battle. 

The Chilliwack Chiefs celebrated Indigenous Night presented by Kwaw-Kwaw-A-Pilt First Nation in their Saturday night face off against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. In a point race for home ice advantage in the first round of playoffs, every game is a must-win for the Chilliwack Chiefs. The Chiefs have the firepower, as they went into the game with players holding three of the four top spots in the league scoring standings. 

A buzzer-beating goal by the Chiefs’ leading goal-scorer, Nico Grabas, in the last second of the first period put the Chiefs ahead by one going into the first intermission after the teams exchanged a pair of goals. The Chiefs continued to bring the heat, tacking on another two to their lead. Boris Borin scored the second of the two, after a little give and go on a two on one with Markuss Sieradzkis. With a secondary assist on Borin’s goal, Nico Grabas recorded his 150th BCHL point. Alberni Valley kept pressing to try and come back from the three goal deficit. They managed to get within two before the second intermission. The third period saw tensions rise between the two teams, drawing six penalties compared to the zero in the first frame. Drew DellaSalla added another to the Chiefs’ lead for what would be the final goal of the night. 

The Chiefs are back at the Coliseum tomorrow night for Dash Hound Night presented by Kal Tire. They will be up against the Rivermen for the final time this regular season after beating them in Langley on Friday night. Sunday’s 5 pm game is rescheduled from December 12th, and tickets from the original game will be valid. The first intermission will see the Chiefs first ever wiener dog race, and the second will see the return of the fan-favourite Lions Club Outhouse Race in support of the Alzheimer’s Society.

Photo credit: Darren Francis