Chiefs explode in third to win 7-3

A hot start from the Cents wasn’t rewarded on the scoreboard in the first period as a pair of powerplays, including a 5-3 chance, went begging. The Cents controlled the play early in the contest outshooting the Chiefs 5-0 at one point.

The middle portion of the period was filled with penalties as four players received misconducts after a scrum broke out in the Chilliwack zone.

The period looked destined to end scoreless before Connor Milburn was left alone in the high slot and the Lake Superior State commit made no mistake high over the glove of Brayden Melynk. Melynk would stop 10/11 in the frame. Cole Savage stopped 9/9.

The second period would be a wild one with two different Centennials notching their first BCHL goals for the second game in a row.

First it would be Jacob Dewitt walking down the left wing side from the point, firing one glove side past Savage to make the game 1-1. Assists coming from Jerzy Orchard and Ben Ward.

Around the mid-point of the period, the newest Cent Ashton Taylor walked a similar path to Dewitt down the left wing before giving the fans some ‘top corner hockey’ to give Merritt a 2-1 lead.

The Chiefs would respond at the 17:24 mark following a wild goal mouth scramble Ethan Bowen poked one past Melynk.

Melynk stopped 28/30 through 40 minutes.

The third period would see Chilliwack break the tie, and explode from their scoring 5 times in the final frame to win 7-3. Goals coming from Mateo Mrsic, Ethan Bowen, Cam Johnson, Liam Tanner and Xavier Henry.

Merritt would get one back late on the powerplay when Jerzy Orchard bulged the twine for his third on the season.