A third-period comeback by the Coquitlam Express in game three of their BC Hockey League playoff series against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs fell just short Tuesday.
But it’s given the team confidence heading into Wednesday’s fourth game, 7 p.m., at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
The Express lost 5-3 and now trail the best-of-seven series two games to one.
Down 4-1 heading into the final frame, Jake Manfre gave the home side a spark of hope when he scored 1:37 after the break.
Coquitlam continued to press, outshooting the Bulldogs 13-8.
Their effort paid off when Sam Frandina’s laser shot eluded Alberni Valley goalie Callum Tung with 1:40 remaining in regulation time and Express keeper Adam Manji on the bench for an extra attacker.
But a long-range shot by the Bulldogs Lucas Buzziol that skittered just inside the post of the empty Coquitlam net snuffed the comeback hopes of the Express 23 seconds before the expiration of the game clock.
Coquitlam associate coach Brandon Cox said a fortuitous bounce for the Express could have changed the outcome.
“The boys know what they need to do,” he said. “We showed we can play with these guys.”
Although it took them a while to make that apparent, as Coquitlam fell behind 3-1 in the first period. Grayson Badger scored twice for the Bulldogs and Jacob Terpstra added the other. Noah Dziver responded for the Express.
Alberni Valley also held the advantage in shots, 15-11, and carried that into the second period, its 10 shots doubling Coquitlam’s five. The Bulldogs’ Zeke Nicholson scored the frame’s only goal, his second of the post season.
Cox said to find success in game four, the Express players will have to tighten up defensively, especially early in the game.
“We gave away the middle of the ice and it cost us two goals,” he said.
