A Series to Remember Ends in Overtime

The Chilliwack Chiefs advance to Round 2 of the 2026 Rogers BCHL Playoffs after an overtime win in Game 5. 

Just one week ago, the Chilliwack Chiefs and Coquitlam Express kicked off their first-round series at the Chilliwack Coliseum. Game 1 did not go the way Chilliwack had wanted after they fell in overtime on home ice. The Chiefs killed Coquitlam’s momentum the following night to tie the series in a historic seven-period game and started their own momentum as they headed on the road for Games 3 and 4. Chilliwack showed up strong both on the ice and in the stands in Coquitlam, with the Chiefs taking both games in regulation and filling the stands with their loyal and passionate fanbase to make the rink their own. Now, a week later and back at home, the Chiefs had the opportunity to punch their ticket for Round 2 as they led the series 3-1. 

You could feel the energy in the air right from puck drop. Fans from both teams came out loud and proud to fire up their teams. The building erupted as the Chiefs got on the board first with a rebound goal from Dustin Renas as he was falling to his knees. A power play goal by Nico Grabas brought the building to its feet again in the second period as he regained Chilliwack’s lead. 

The Chiefs were confident going into the third period, up by a goal and dominating the shot count, but then just thirty-eight seconds into the third, a fanned-on pass by a Chiefs defenceman landed right on the stick of an Express player in front of an empty net. Chilliwack’s goalie was still making his way back from behind his net after stopping the puck for his defenceman, and stood no chance against the giveaway goal. Tied at two, Coquitlam flipped the script and started taking control of the period, shot-wise. Chiefs’ goalie, David Di Girolamo, stood his ground, and for the third time this series, extra time was needed.