April 3rd, 2026 – Jordan Dobrew
The Coquitlam Express have defeated the Chilliwack Chiefs 5-4 in BCHL Playoff action.
Game 1 of the BCHL Playoffs got underway from the Chilliwack Coliseum, as the Express kicked off their journey to the Rogers BCHL Cup. It was a tight contest right out of the gate. But what else would you expect from playoff hockey. The Chiefs would take the first penalty of the game, giving the Express a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the series. But it’d be the Chiefs who’d capitalize with a shorthanded marker from Drew DellaSalla to make it 1-0. The game got more intense following the goal. With post whistle scrums and hits ramping up. The Express would find themselves on a 5 on 3 powerplay, but once again the powerplay couldn’t find an answer. As the Chiefs took their 1 goal lead into the 2nd period.
Coquitlam came out looking to get the next one to swing momentum back in their favour. And it only took 5:25 to do so as Nate Crema potted his 1st of the playoffs to tie the game up at 1. Coquitlam found themselves shorthanded later in the period, but were able to kill it off. They’d then get a late goal in the 2nd as Luke Pfoh would snipe one for his 1st of the playoffs to give the Express their first lead of the game, one they’d take into the 3rd period.
The Chiefs would come out flying to start the 3rd period. Boris Borin picked up his 1st of the playoff just 2:33 into the 3rd. Followed up by his 2nd of the night just 38 seconds later on the powerplay. And just like that it was 3-2 Chiefs a little over 3 minutes into the 3rd. The Express would scratch and claw looking to tie the game up. It’d come down to the final moments of the game. Coquitlam would call their timeout and send Ryan Parker to the bench for the extra man. The extra skater would pay off. As Nolan Flynn jammed the puck home to tie up the game. But momentum kept Coquitlam pushing. As just 20 seconds later George Stavrianeas sent one home. It was a blink and you’ll miss it sequence to make it 4-3 Express. With time still left on the clock, Chilliwack gave it one more push and it’d pay off. As Boris Borin finished off the hat-trick to tie the game up with just 30 seconds left. Sending game 1 to overtime.
It’d come down to one final goal to decide game 1. And it didn’t take too long for the Express to find the answer. As Brady Engelkes scored just 2:02 into overtime to call game. As the Express take game 1 5-4.
Game 2 comes back to the Chilliwack Coliseum tomorrow, Saturday April 4th for a 7:00 PM puck drop
