April 6th, 2026 – Jordan Dobrew
The Chilliwack Chiefs have defeated the Coquitlam Express 2-1 in BCHL Playoff action.
It was game 3 as the series shifted to Coquitlam after a 1-1 split in the first two games in Chilliwack. Both games needed overtime and the anticipation for a crucial game 3 was sky high. It was a back and forth 1st period with both teams getting their looks at the opening goal, with the Express taking the lone powerplay chance that’d be killed off. But it’d be the Express getting the home crowd rocking first. As Tyler Chiovetti picked up his 1st goal of the playoffs to break the ice with under 5 minutes to go in the opening frame. Ryan Parker was solid through the 1st period. Stopping all 11 Chilliwack shots faced, as the Express took a 1-0 lead into the 2nd period.
Coquitlam started off the 2nd period shorthanded after a scrum following the end of the 1st, but the penalty kill remained strong having only given up 1 powerplay goal in 8 times shorthanded to that point. Later in the period the Chiefs tied thing up as Edvin Nilsson grabbed his 1st goal of the post season to even the game. The Chiefs kept pressing for the lead, and it’d pay off as with just 1:15 to go Jack Plandowski put Chilliwack ahead for the first time in the game. And they’d head to a big 3rd period ahead by a goal.
With a crucial 3rd period underway the Express began their quest for another 3rd period comeback. They’d see a powerplay chance early in the period, but the Chiefs maintained their perfect penalty kill in the series. Right after the Chiefs killed off their penalty, they’d find themselves on a five minute powerplay after an Illegal Check to the Head call against Cooper Wilson handed him five minutes and a game misconduct. The penalty kill came up huge for Coquitlam, bleeding off the entire five minutes with the game still within reach. They’d be rewarded with their efforts as they’d find themselves on a 5-on-3 powerplay chance. But the man advantage struggles continue for the Express as they failed to convert, making them 0/9 so far in the series. They’d pull Ryan Parker hoping for another late game hail mary to tie it. But this time the Chiefs held on. As they’d take game 3 by a score of 2-1 and take a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4 goes Wednesday, April 8th back at the Train Station as the Express will look to even up the series before heading back to Chilliwack for game 5 on Friday.
