Vimal Sukumaran opened the scoring for the Chilliwack Chiefs and later assisted on Jordan Kawaguchi’s game-winner in a must-win 5-2 Game 5 for the Chilliwack Chiefs over the visiting West Kelowna Warriors.
West Kelowna now leads the best-of-seven series 3-2.
Just past the midway point of the opening frame, Sukumaran got the Chiefs on the board only to see Kylar Hope tie it 1:35 later. Ryan Forbes and Kawaguchi got goals in the second which proved to be enough for the Chiefs on the night.
Chilliwack maintained their two-goal edge but went up 5-1 late in the third on tallies from Craighead (empty net) and Taylor Allan. Tyler Anderson had a late response shorthanded for the Warriors.
West Kelowna starting goalie Matthew Greenfield only played the first period, stopping seven of the eight shots he faced. Keelan Williams took over after that and turned away 20 of 23 shots that came his way.
Aidan Pelino made 21 saves for the win in the Chiefs crease.
Game 6 goes Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna.
