The Coquitlam Express will look to reverse a six-game slide when the BC Hockey League team hosts a pair of games at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex this weekend. But it won’t be easy, as they’ll be facing two teams that have outscored them 16-2 in their last three games.
The Express were on the receiving end of a nasty 7-1 Valentine’s Day thumping by the Penticton Vee’s at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Wednesday. That was on the heels of 5-1 and 4-0 losses to the Prince George Spruce Kings last weekend in Prince George. In fact, Coquitlam hasn't won a game since they defeated Surrey 6-0 on Feb. 1.
The Vees pay a return visit to Coquitlam on Friday at 7 p.m., and the Spruce Kings will be at the Poirier on Saturday at 7 p.m. The team then travels to Langley for an afternoon encounter against the Rivermen on Sunday at George Preston arena.
In Penticton, the league-leading Vees scored five straight goals in the third period to hand the visitors their 36th loss of the season. The Express also lost one game in overtime.
The onslaught came after Jack McNab scored early in the final frame to get Coquitlam back to within a goal of their hosts. Penticton had led 2-0 going into the period.
Clay Stevenson faced 42 shots in the Express net, while his teammates managed only 21 at Penticton keeper Adam Scheel.
Despite the losing streak, the Express are still hanging on to the final wild-card spot in the BCHL’s post-season, seven points ahead of the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Both teams have four games remaining.
