Image: The Clippers twice trailed by three goals and their comeback fell just short in a 4-3 loss to the Chilliwack Chiefs. Chilliwack leads the second round best of seven series 2-0. (Gary Dorland)

By Fraser Valley Today Staff

BCHL Playoffs

Chilliwack Chiefs open 2 – 0 series lead with 4 – 3 victory in Nanaimo

Apr 16, 2023 | 8:06 AM

NANAIMO — The Chilliwack Chiefs scored three goals in the first 13 minutes and then held on for a 4 – 3 victory in Nanaimo Saturday (Apr. 15) night. The win gives the Chiefs a 2 – 0 lead in the best-of-seven BCHL playoff series.

Hunter McInnes, Brady Milburn and Dalton MacGillivray staked the Chiefs to their early lead while Nico Grabas added another in the second period. The Chiefs led 3 – 0 and 4 – 1 at the period breaks.

The hometown Clippers came out firing in the third period, outshooting the Chiefs 15 – 3. Jeremie Payant and Ethan Mistry scored goals to make the score close.

However, Lucas Szyszka slammed the door shut in the final two minutes to preserve the Chilliwack victory. Szyszka faced 32 Nanaimo shots in the game while Shane Shelest saw 25 shots from the Chiefs.

The decision sends the series to Chilliwack for games three and four Tuesday and Wednesday.

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