The Coquitlam Express surrendered the first four goals of the game and never recovered en route to a 7-3 loss to the Nanaimo Clippers, Wednesday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
The Clippers, who came into the game just three points ahead of Coquitlam in the BC Hockey League’s Coastal division standings, led 3-0 after the first period then extended it by another goal in the second period before the home team finally got on the scoreboard.
James Shannon’s goal 15:19 in the second period sparked a three-goal run by the Express to close to within 4-3 early in the final period.
But that’s as close as they would get as Nanaimo scored three times in the final 9:50 of regulation time to hand Coquitlam back-up goalie Ethan Simcoe the first loss of his BCHL career after four straight wins.
Simcoe faced 40 shots while his teammates fired 46 at Clippers netminder Tyler Hodges.
Shannon added an assist to his goal while Sam Frandina and Sebastian Bradshaw also had a goal and an assist to lead Express scorers.
The win vaulted Nanaimo into third place, one point ahead of the idle Victoria Grizzlies.
Coquitlam remains in fifth place, four points behind Victoria and two ahead of the Chilliwack Chiefs.
The Express host the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Saturday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m. at Poirier. It’s the team’s last game before it takes a winter break until Dec. 29.
