The Chilliwack Chiefs have high expectations this season, but in eight ‘extended training camp’ games so far the team is struggling to match the hype.
Chilliwack has posted a 3-3-1-1 record so far. Their latest game, on Saturday night, was a 5-1 loss to the Coquitlam Express at the Chilliwack Coliseum, the third straight defeat for the Chiefs and their second in a row to the defending BCHL champs.
The Express out-shot Chilliwack 33-22 and got three goals from rookie Sam Huo, a player who is on loan from the Western Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans.
James Bohn and Austin Fraser also scored for Coquitlam, which led 2-1 after 20 minutes, 4-1 after 40 and 5-1 late in the third period.
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Ayrton Martino scored a first-period power play goal for Chilliwack, set up by Tommy Lyons and Luke Krys. Brett Rylance scored the second Chiefs goal with 4:21 to play.
Mathieu Caron got the start and took the loss in net, stopping 20 of 25 shots in 47 minutes of work. Ethan Pearson relieved him late in the game, stopping all eight shots he faced.
Tempers flared in the third period, with referees Bryan Bourdon and Mike Bencze handing out seven misconducts.
The three stars were Huo (first), Ryan Tattle (Coquitlam, second) and Bohn (third) with Chilliwack’s Garrett Valk the Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game.
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With Dr. Bonnie Henry’s health edict for the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions, prohibiting indoor sports where physical distancing isn’t possible, all games featuring the Chiefs, Express, Surrey Eagles and Langley Rivermen over the next two weeks are cancelled.
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