Chilliwack Chiefs score first but falter in 3rd period of BCHL playoffs

PRINCE GEORGE — After going up 2-0 in their BCHL playoff series and holding a 1-0 lead going into the third period Tuesday night, the Chilliwack Chiefs saw their streak of good fortune dissipate.

Facing the threat of a 3-0 deficit, the Prince George Spruce Kings turned the tables in less than a minute seconds to make it 2-1 before finishing with a 3-1 victory over the Chilliwack Chiefs to take Game 3.

The Spruce Kings outshot the Chiefs 16-6 in the scoreless first period. Chilliwack got on the board first with just 1:17 remaining in the second period as Caleb Malhotra deflected a Lucas Sorace point shot past Charles Gravel.

In the third period, Maks Percic connected with his partner Brendan Gillmore who spotted Brock Cummings and sent him in on a breakaway. Cummings uses his backhand, forehand, and finally his backhand to tie the game at 7:34.

Just 45 seconds later, Nicolas Papineau nailed the perfect shot over the blocker of Quentin Miller to make it 2-1, as Mason Loewen and Trent Ballentyne picked up the assists and rouse the Spruce Kings fan base at Kopar Memorial Arena.

Will Moore finished the game for good with an empty netter at 18:40, as Ballentyne picked up his second assist. Spruce Kings goalie Charles Gravel registered 18 saves.

Game 4 happens tonight in Prince George. Puck drop is 7 p.m. Listen to the game online at https://993rewindradio.ca/.