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Chilliwack versus Penticton among best series ever?

Chilliwack's first round BCHL playoff series versus Penticton has been great, but where will it end up ranking all-time?

Each week during the BCHL season, local hockey guru Jacob Bestebroer provides his thoughts on the Chilliwack Chiefs and goings on around the league.

 

I’m a sucker for lists.

Top five lists, top 10  or 20. I like them all.

I love reading them, making them and debating them.

Of course many of the lists I constantly find myself making and or debating are related to hockey and more specifically junior hockey. Even MORE specifically, Chilliwack Chiefs junior hockey.

I’ve used this column to share some of them; top 10 Chiefs goal scorers, playmakers etc.

The one mistake I try to avoid in my habitual listing of things is to not make quick judgements on events that have just happened or are happening.

Right now, the list that I’m thinking most about is top Chiefs playoff series and where this Chilliwack versus Penticton series, currently tied 2-2, will end up fitting in.

I won’t let myself think about what might happen in the rest of the series.

After it’s over, then the debate can begin in earnest.

But even then there needs to be some time elapsed before slotting it in.

In last week’s column I used a few examples of Chiefs playoff series past to show that things do not always go as they are expected to in Chiefs playoff series.

Two of those series I mentioned are currently tied for top spot on my list, and yes, having a list include a tie is a cop out.

Currently, in my opinion, Chilliwack versus Kelowna in 1995 and Chilliwack versus Surrey in 1999 are tied for first. (I can hear the ‘What? No Chilliwack versus Drayton Valley in 2002?’ cries from long time Chiefs fans. I have that at number three but would not argue with anyone who considers it number one).

Both the Kelowna and Surrey series were series that Chilliwack was not expected to win and both were against teams that had appeared in the previous year’s national championship.Chilliwack won them both in seven games in the other team’s rink.

Both series featured epic overtime games. Game six versus Kelowna on home ice went three overtimes before Shawn York ended it.

Jeff Yopyk ended the series versus Surrey in overtime of game seven.

But the best part of those two series was the support of Chiefs fans which was incredible both home and away. Game seven in Surrey was sold out. Half the people there were Chiefs fans.

You can see why it’s hard to choose between the two but if anyone can help me break my tie at number one I would love to hear from you. I have spent way too much time trying to do it myself.

The Chiefs current series versus Penticton has been great through four games and again Chiefs fans are a big part of it.

The atmosphere at Prospera Centre for games three and four was electric.

Game six is Friday night at Prospera Centre.

One team will be facing elimination.

I can’t wait.