Massive upset or narrow escape.
One of those two phrases will likely put a bow on what has been a dandy of a series between the Chilliwack Chiefs and Prince George Spruce Kings.
Fittingly, it is going to a Game 7 as the Spruce Kings grinded their way to a 2-0 shutout victory Sunday night in front of a passionate crowd of 1,539 fans at the Kopar Memorial Arena.
If defense and goaltending wins championships – or even just one round – consider the Spruce Kings true blue believers after another rock-solid effort from goaltender Charles-Edward Gravel.
While not burdened with a heavy shot total, Gravel was called upon to make a few big stops. None were more eye-popping than a sprawled-out glove save on Chiefs forward Dwayne Jean Jr to preserve the two-goal lead with seven minutes left.
For the third straight game, Chilliwack started fast carrying an early lopsided shot edge but were turned aside by Gravel, allowing the Spruce Kings to settle in and find their footing.
After a scoreless first, Prince George struck first less than a minute into the middle period as Owen Goodbrand led a 2-on-1 rush with Linden Makow into the Chiefs zone.
The intended pass was out of reach for Makow, who then had the presence of mind to feed the puck out front and locate Will Moore who drove to the net and beat Quentin Miller blocker side for a 1-0 edge.
Eight minutes later, Trent Ballentyne took advantage of the fast boards at the Kopar Memorial Arena, lasering a puck down the length of the ice that drilled off the corner.
A quick shot by Ryan Wachtel bounced off the pad of Miller and straight on the stick of a streaking Nick Metelkin who had a wide-open net to shoot at.
Prince George outshot Chilliwack 27-24 and went 0-for-3 on the power-play while the visitors were 0-for-1.
Gravel, who joined the Spruce Kings in early February while eight points out of a playoff spot, has put up a sparkling 2.04 goals against average to go along with a .940 save percentage.
In last year’s Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League playoffs, he helped take the Baie-Comeau Drakkar to the Finals. Gravel went 12-4-1 with a 2.37 GAA and a .910 save percentage.
For the Chiefs, what looked to be a mismatch on paper has turned into a bitter fight to the end against their longtime rivals from Northern BC.
Both teams were separated by 27 points at the end of the regular season.
Chilliwack finished with a record of 37-12-5-0, good enough for top spot in the Coastal Conference. If that wasn’t enough, the Chiefs lead the league in goals with 254.
However, offense has been much harder to come by for the Chiefs only lighting the lamp 12 times in six games (an average of two per contest).
Chilliwack has tallied two goals or fewer in Games 3 through 6 in this series – dropping three of those four games – all on the road.
The home team has won each game in this series up to this point.
Game 7 is set for 7pm Tuesday night from the Chilliwack Coliseum.
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