The Chilliwack Chiefs took their first loss of the BCHL pod season, but bounced back with a pair of victories in weekend action, pushing their record to 4-1.
Here’s how it went down at the Chilliwack Coliseum.
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APRIL 8 – Merritt 4 at Chilliwack 3
The Centennials jumped out to an early 2-0 in lead in last Thursday’s game, with Walker Erickson and Josh Olson scoring goals 82 seconds apart.
Chilliwack’s Jackson Munro, a former Centennial, cut the lead in half with a power play goal early 79 seconds into the middle frame, set up by Kyle Penney and Sasha Teleguine.
Merritt restored the lead with their own power play goal at 7:46, scored by Alexander Ochitwa.
A flurry of goals came let in the second period to wrap up the scoring.
Chilliwack’s Trevor Longo scored at 13:24 only to see Merritt’s Jake McLean answer at 14:16. Sixteen-year-old Chiefs rookie Cameron Johnscon scored unassisted at 17:48, collecting his first BCHL goal.
Chilliwack’s Mathieu Caron stopped 14 of 18 shots in the Chiefs net while Josh Dias turned aside 33 of 36 pucks to earn the win for Merritt and earn first-star honours.
Munro was the second star. Ochitwa was the third star.
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APRIL 9 – Prince George 0 at Chilliwack 1
After a rough start Thursday, Mathieu Caron bounced back with a big-time effort Friday.
The Abbotsford product stopped all 23 shots fired his way by the Spruce Kings, earning the 10th shutout (regular season and playoffs) of his BCHL career.
Chilliwack’s only goal came shorthanded late in period one as Dawson Good lit the lamp behind PG stopper Jordan Fairlie. Brett Rylance drew the lone assist.
The three stars were Caron (first), Fairlie (second) and Good (third).
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APRIL 11 – Merritt 2 at Chilliwack 3
Chilliwack led the Centennials 2-0 through 40 minutes, but had to work hard in the third as Merritt rallied.
The Chiefs opened the scoring 6:01 into period one, with Luca Grabas collecting his first BCHL goal. Jonathan Krahn and Liam Tanner picked up assists.
Chilliwack’s lead doubled 56 seconds into period two on a power play goal by Andrew Tanner, who also scored his first in the BCHL. d
The Chiefs pushed the lead to 3-0 at 12:30 of period two on a goal by captain Kyle Penney, set up by defenceman Trevor Longo.
Merritt made things interesting in the final frame. Chilliwack’s Tyler McBay drew a five-minute kneeing major in the opening minute, leading to a power play goal by Jerzy Orchard at 1:12.
But the Chiefs penalty kill limited the damage. Josh Olson scored at 7:17 to get Merritt within one but that’s as close as they could get.
The three stars were Penney (first), Orchard (second) and Gullmes (third).
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Chilliwack is back in action tonight (Monday, April 12) with a ‘road’ game against Prince George.
Puck drop is at 5 p.m. at the Chilliwack Coliseum.
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