Mark Sinclair turned away 29 shots to lead the Chiefs to a 3-1 road win over the Wenatchee Wild Friday night. The win puts the Chiefs up 1-0 in the best of seven mainland division series.
Both goaltenders were perfect through the game’s opening twenty minutes. Sinclair turned away all nine shots he saw while the Wild’s Anthony Yamnitsky stopped all seven pucks directed at him by the Chiefs.
The game’s goalless drought ended with just under two minutes left in the second period when Chiefs defenseman Davis Bunz’s point shot found its way past Yamnitsky. Linden Hora and Kohen Olischefski picked up the helpers.
Forty seven seconds later Ben Fanjoy increased the Chiefs lead to 2-0. Aaron O’Neill started the play, getting the puck back to Connor McCarthy at the left point. McCarthy’s one time was stopped by Yamnitsky but Fanjoy was left unguarded in front and slapped home his second of the post season.
Shots after two periods were even at twenty.
Jake Smith gave the Chiefs a 3-0 lead at the 12:28 mark of the third period. Will Calverley picked up the only assist after forcing an offensive zone turnover.
A power play goal by the Wild’s Jasper Weatherby with 6:25 left rounded out the scoring.
Final shots were 30-26 in favor of the Wild.
Chilliwack was 0/1 on the power play and 2/3 on the penalty kill.
Game two is Saturday in Wenatchee. The series moves to Chilliwack for games three and four on Tuesday and Wednesday.
