The Chilliwack Chiefs are going to the BCHL Finals for the first time since 2003 after a 4-3 home win over the West Kelowna Warriors.
Despite surrendering West Kelowna goals to Kylar Hope and Liam Blackburn in the first, the Chiefs rallied starting with a Kohen Olischefski goal in the second. They tied it up in the third on a Rylan Bechtel goal and went ahead 13 seconds later with Jeremy Germain scoring.
Jordan Kawaguchi’s goal just under three minutes later wound up being the winner for Chilliwack. Jonathan Desbiens scored at 16:14 of the final frame to get the Warriors back within one but that’s how it ended.
Aidan Pelino made 23 saves for his 10th win of the postseason. It was the first win on home ice for any of the teams in Round 3.
Next game is Tuesday, April 12 in West Kelowna with the Warriors hosting the Nanaimo Clippers. It will be the last game of Round 3, with the winner joining Chilliwack in the Finals.
Sunday’s win also ensured Chilliwack will have home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven Finals.
