Just up the Trans-Canada, a pair of Abbotsford minor hockey products are on a mission to lead the Chilliwack Chiefs to a British Columbia Hockey League title.
Forwards Jordan Kawaguchi and Kohen Olischefski are key parts of a Chiefs team that has a 2-1 series lead on the Wentachee Wild in round two of the BCHL playoffs. Chilliwack swept the Coquitlam Express in four games in the opening round of the playoffs.
Kawaguchi, the captain of the team, has recorded 11 points in six playoff games, and was named to the BCHL's second team all-star for his strong play during the regular season. The Providence University commit had 83 points in 56 games during the season.
Olischefski had a solid rookie year in the league, producing 48 points in 57 games. He's scored two points in six playoff games. The Denver University commit is NHL draft eligible this year, and was ranked as the 131st prospect by NHL central scouting earlier this year. He played for the Yale Hockey Academy before making the jump to the BCHL.
Also in the hunt for a BCHL title is Abbotsford's Ben Brar and the Penticton Vees. The Vees have a 2-0 series lead on the West Kelowna Warriors in round two of the playoffs, after eliminating the Vernon Vipers in five games in round one. Brar is committed to Denver University for 2017-18.
The BCHL title, known as the Fred Page Cup is set to be awarded in April.