The Coquitlam looked to stave off elimination and force a Game 6 against the Chilliwack Chiefs in the first round of the Shaw BCHL playoffs with Game 5 taking place at home for the Express. Some would say that home ice hasn’t been entirely beneficial to these two teams in the series as only once in the past 4 games has the home team won, but that didn’t stop the Express from starting off hot.
Just over 10 minutes and 30 seconds into the game the Express led 2-0 with goals from Colton Alexander and Drew Garzone to own lead, however, it was short lived. The Chiefs answered back 28 seconds after Garzone’s goal and 4 minutes after that they tied the game at 2 with 5 minutes remaining before scoring the go ahead goal to give the Chiefs a 3-2 lead after 1.
The Chiefs proceeded to pile on in the second as Aj Lacroix gave them a 2 goal lead just 7 minutes into the period for a 4-2 lead. Cameron Moger, in what would be his final BCHL game, found the back of the net for the Express to cut the lead in half going into the third period. The Chiefs led 4-3.
With the season’s life on the line for the Express there was constant pressure all period, but the effort was all for not as with under 5 minutes to go Chilliwack extended their lead to 5-3, seemingly snuffing out the fire which was the Express’ playoff hopes and dreams. That was not the case.
Evan Brown got the comeback started for the Express, scoring the 5-4 goal with just 1 minute and 49 seconds remaining on the clock. That was enough time for them to get another as the hero of Game 2, Tyler Kopff, scored once again to send a game in this playoff series to overtime, tying the game with 1 minute and 15 seconds remaining. The period would end tied at 5 a side and overtime would be needed to decide the winner.
It was highly anticipated and awaited but just 8 minutes into the extra frame Dylan Kinch and the Chiefs would end the Express’ playoff dreams for the second year in a row, defeating them in the first round. The Chiefs won 6-5 and took the opening round series 4-1 as they will move onto the second round of the Shaw BCHL Playoffs.
Thank you to our fans who have come out and supported us at our home regular season and home playoff games. You don’t go unnoticed, forgotten or unrecognized, we appreciate you and we want to say thank you for your support throughout the 2022-2023 season. We look forward to seeing you all back in the train station for the 2023-2024 season.
