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Chiefs-Wild Game 5 Preview

(Submitted by Alex Hoegler, BCHL communications)

Through the first four games of Round 2, the Chilliwack Chiefs appear to be the beneficiary of having a 10-days rest between their first- and second-round series.

The Chiefs hold a 3-1 series lead on the Wenatchee Wild and will try their hand at reaching Round 3 Thursday night. The Wild will look to build upon what has been a successful first season in the BCHL by keeping their season alive.

Chilliwack escaped the Wild barn on Tuesday with a 4-2 win. Darien Craighead guided the Chiefs to victory with two goals and an assist. Goaltender Aidan Pelino has backstopped the Chiefs with 88 saves on 97 shots faced through Games 1-4.

So far in the series, each team has scored 12 goals. Heading into it, Chiefs head coach Jason Tatarnic emphasized the importance of limiting the odd-man rushes and defending the Wild scoring attack, which they’ve done for the most part.

Brendan Harris has one goal and four assists in the series and is Wenatchee’s points leader in the playoffs with 13. Kyle Stephan (11 points,) is second in team scoring throughout the postseason. He’s been held to a pair of assists, while Charlie Combs (third in Wild playoff scoring with eight points,) has had two goals and an assist.

Goaltender Chase Perry has continued to keep Wenatchee in games, having been named a game star in three of the four games.

If the Wild win, they’ll have a chance to even the series on home ice on Friday at 7 p.m. A Chilliwack victory would mean they join the Nanaimo Clippers in Round 3, where they would await the winner of the Penticton Vees and West Kelowna Warriors series.

Puck drop in Game 5 goes at 7 p.m. Thursday in Chilliwack.