The Chilliwack Chiefs' season will be on the line Wednesday night when they host the Prince George Spruce Kings in the fifth and deciding game of the teams' first-round BCHL playoff series.

The Spruce Kings staved off elimination Tuesday with a 5-2 victory over Chilliwack in Prince George. After the game, both teams hopped on their buses and will renew acquaintances tonight at 7 p.m. at Prospera Centre.

For the fourth time in as many games this series, the Chiefs handily outshot the Spruce Kings Tuesday.

But as was the case in Game 1, the stellar netminding of Prince George goalie Kirk Thompson was the difference, particularly in the third period, when the Chiefs pressed for a tying goal.

Just 28 seconds into the game, the Spruce Kings served notice they weren't going to be a pushover when Trevor Esau's point shot beat Chiefs goaltender Mitch Gillam to give the home side an early lead.

Philip Zielonka replied on the power play for the Chiefs midway through the period to even the score.

The Spruce Kings also started the second period with a bang, with Coltyn Hansen tallying just 23 seconds in. Shayne Morrisey extended the lead at the 12:25 mark and Prince George took a two-goal advantage into the third.

The Spruce Kings would need that third goal, as the Chiefs blitzed the Prince George net and drew to within one with another Zielonka power play marker five minutes into the period. The goal was Zielonka's sixth in just four playoff games.

Chilliwack would outshoot Prince George 19-7 in the third, but couldnt' put another puck past Thompson.

A pair of empty-net goals sealed the victory for Prince George.

tolsen@chilliwacktimes.com