(Image Credit: Chilliwack Chiefs)

By Shaelee Dombrowski

Chilliwack Chiefs

Series Opener Heads to Overtime

Apr 3, 2026 | 11:58 PM

Game 1 did not go the Chiefs’ way after Coquitlam took the series lead in overtime. 

Round 1 of the 2026 Rogers BCHL Playoffs commenced Friday night as the Chilliwack Chiefs hosted their first-round opponents, the Coquitlam Express. Game 1 of the series brought a lot of what you can expect from playoff hockey: intensity, aggression, and the unexpected. The regular season series between these two teams saw the home team win in each meeting and ended with a 7-1 victory by the Chilliwack Chiefs just five days ago; however, playoffs are a different game, and that was seen in Chilliwack’s 5-4 overtime loss at home. 

The Chilliwack Chiefs dominated most of the first period, sustaining plenty of pressure and zone time. Their opening goal came on the penalty kill from Drew DellaSalla after A.J. Schaaf picked up an off-the-mark pass from an Express player and created a 2-on-1 short-handed. Chilliwack managed to hold off the Express from recording a shot on goal until the second half of the first period. Fans were buzzing as Chilliwack continued to have great chances, successfully killed off a 5-on-3, and laid some big hits. 

The game began to shift in Coquitlam’s favour in the second frame. Chilliwack was awarded their first power play in an incident that saw two Coquitlam players sent to the box, along with Chiefs’ captain, Nico Grabas. A plethora of chances were created by Chilliwack on the man advantage, but they couldn’t quite solve the Express goalie, Ryan Parker. Both teams struggled to maintain control in the second, but ultimately, the Express netted two to take the lead into the third. 

Chilliwack’s Boris Borin was the star of the third period. He tallied three goals to record his second career BCHL hat trick and first in the post-season. Borin’s first goal came early in the third period after multiple Chiefs players had their go at getting a bouncing puck in the back of the net. Less than a minute later, Chilliwack was awarded their second power play of the game, which led to Boris Borin scoring his second after being set up right out front by Dustin Renas. Borin’s third, to secure the hat trick, came at a time of desperation after the Express had recorded another two goals, just twenty seconds apart from each other, to take the lead. With thirty seconds to go and an empty net for the extra man, Borin put home the rebound of Nico Grabas’ shot to force overtime and make the Coliseum erupt. 

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Coquitlam’s Brady Engelkes was the hero for the Express in the extra frame after the Chiefs failed to clear the zone, and a blocked shot bounced right onto Engelkes’ stick out front. 

The Express took the first game, but the war isn’t over as the teams meet again for game 2 back at the Chilliwack Coliseum tomorrow night for a 7 PM puck drop. This will be a game you won’t want to miss as the Chilliwack Chiefs come fired up to defend home ice and even the series. Off the ice, Steve Elliot will be in the building as “Elvis” to get the energy started before the game and keep it going into the intermission. Be loud. Be proud. Be there.