The Coquitlam Express and the Chilliwack Chiefs played out game seven of their playoff series on Sunday night in Chilliwack!
First Period
As expected, the first period of this game was tight-checking with neither team really giving up much in the way of offence.
Carter Woodside looked very strong early on in this one, especially on the Express’ first penalty kill roughly six minutes into the hockey game. He turned away a handful of bids in tight that easily could have opened the scoring.
The Express would hold off the Chiefs until there was 5:22 left in the frame. The Chiefs found twine as they let a screened shot go from the point that eluded a cluster of bodies.
After 20 minutes of play, the Express trailed 1-0 and had been outshot 9-6 by the Chiefs.
Second Period
This was a tough period for the Express as the Chiefs took complete control, fueled by a powerplay that came 3:27 into the frame.
The Chiefs had a goal disallowed 5:13 into the period but got one right back 47 seconds later to make it 2-0.
Roughly seven minutes into the second, the Chiefs went to a 5-on-3 and took just 17 seconds to cash in and extend their lead to three.
The Express did not get their first shot of the period until the 9:25 mark.
Shortly after the Express got their first shot, the Chiefs buried their third of the period with 8:47 remaining. Then, just 14 seconds later, they scored their fourth of the period to make it 5-0.
A scrum late in the period led to the ejection of Christian MacDougall and an eventual powerplay in the third period.
The Chiefs outshot the Express by a 4:1 ratio in the period 24-6.
Third Period
The Express found themselves on their seventh penalty kill 5:27 into the third period and the Chiefs scored their sixth goal of the night 54 seconds into it.
There was a little rough stuff shortly following the 6-0 goal, but this one lost its life progressively after that as both teams began to realize the impending result.
The Chiefs defeated the Express 6-0 in game seven of an incredibly hard-fought series.
With the victory, the Chiefs moved on to play the Nanaimo Clippers in the second round and the Express’ season came to a close.
This was the final BCHL game for Ryan Tattle, Christian MacDougall, Kahlil Fontana, and Carter Woodside. They led this team all season, but it is now time to pass the torch. Thanks, fellas, and good luck.
It was one hell of a run as the underdog Express team took this powerhouse Chiefs team to the brink. The Express can be very proud of their efforts in this postseason, and also the tail-end of the regular season as a whole.
There is a lot to be excited about in terms of this Express teams’ future.
We’ll see you next season!
