The Chilliwack Chiefs sit atop the British Columbia Hockey League's Coastal Conference and are in the midst of a red-hot November that has seen the club compile a sparkling record of 6-1.
The Chiefs wrapped up a four-game homestand with three wins, ending the run with a 4-2 win over the Nanaimo Clippers at the Chilliwack Coliseum on Saturday (Nov. 23).
After a scoreless first period, Chilliwack's Brady Milburn scored on the power play at 5:50 of the second. Nanaimo tied the game up less than three minutes later to deadlock the game heading into the final frame.
The third period was all Chiefs, with Mateo Mrsic (7:20) and Caleb Elfering (9:32) potting goals 132 seconds apart. The Clippers got one back at 12:24, but Mrsic added another goal into an empty net to earn the 4-2 win.
Saturday also saw the third biggest home crowd of the season, with 2,102 taking in the action at the CC.
The homestand included the Chiefs beating the Prince George Spruce Kings 3-2 on Nov. 16 and downing the Surrey Eagles 5-3 on Nov. 9. In between those games Chilliwack was edged 6-5 by the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Nov. 15. That setback is Chilliwack's only loss this month.
They opened the month with a 5-2 win over the Powell River Kings at the CC on Nov. 1 and defeated the Clippers 6-1 in Chilliwack on Nov. 2. The Chiefs also beat the Surrey Eagles 4-3 in overtime on the road on Nov. 8.
Chilliwack's record now sits at 15-4-2-0 and they are in first place in the Coastal Conference. The 91 goals for are the best in the conference, only behind the Sherwood Park Crusaders who have recorded 93.
Mrsic is leading the BCHL in goals with 17 and is also seventh in scoring with 25 points. The Surrey product has already eclipsed his goal total of 15 from the 2023-24 season. Forwards Dakota MacIntosh and Brady Milburn are also have strong seasons with 22 points apiece. The Chiefs are also getting solid starts from rookie forwards Enzo Lottin and Caleb Maholtra, as both players have recorded 13 points.
Chiefs starting goalie Sebastian Gatto is also heating up with two straight wins. He now has a record of 7-3, a goals against average of 2.69 and a save percentage of .894
The Chiefs next hit the road for games against the Victoria Grizzlies on Friday (Nov. 29) and the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Saturday (Nov. 30). They return home to host the Langley Rivermen on Friday, Dec. 6.
