EXPRESS MIXLR BROADCAST

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

CHIEFS TAKE PLAYOFF OPENER WITH EXPRESS

The Chilliwack Chiefs took game 1 of the Mainland division semi final with the Express by a 4-1 score.

Chiefs netminder David Jacobsen was solid in the net turning aside 39 of 40 shots and was named first star.

The Express had a 14-9 edge in shots in the first period and settled into a good start on the road. They just weren't able to to break through offensively.

The Chiefs have been able to get on the Express in the first period of games played in Chilliwack all season. Game 1 was no different.  Jordan Kawaguchi opened the scoring as he was able to come out from behind the net and beat Chris Tai up high with a shot from the goal line.

Then late in the first period Jake Hand was able to poke the puck past a diving Taylor Green and score on a breakaway for a 2-0 Chiefs lead despite being out shot 14-9. Chilliwack has outscored the Express 19-4 in the first period this season and 13-2 at Prospera Centre.

The second saw the Express get three opportunities to work on the powerplay but they were unable to convert on any of them despite some good puck control and chances. The inability to make those chances count certainly hurt the Express in game one. They finished the night 0 for 4.

In the opening minute of the third period Brendan Gulka was stopped in the slot and Owen Stout put the rebound though the crease missing the open net on the best scoring chance of the night for the Express. 

After a run of 4 consecutive Express powerplays to open the game it was only a matter of time before Chilliwack got their chances.

Kurt Black sealed game one with a powerplay goal with a wrist shot from the slot that trickled past Chris Tai midway through the third.

Daniel Fritz broke Daniel Jacobson's shutout bid with a screen shot from the point with just under two minutes to go.

Jake Hand rounded out the scoring with his second of the night into an empty net.

Game two goes Wednesday night in Chilliwack.

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