Jackson Krill scored two goals and an assist but it wasn’t enough, as the Coquitlam Express lost 6-4 to the Nanaimo Clippers in their BC Hockey League game, Sunday afternoon at Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo.
After spotting the home team a 3-0 advantage midway through the first period, the Express started chipping their way back into the game.
Krill scored his first goal unassisted on a powerplay just 16 seconds after the Clippers scored its third goal. Then Krill scored again midway through the second period to narrow Nanaimo’s margin to just a goal.
But Coquitlam’s momentum was snuffed less than five minutes later when Nanaimo’s Cole Lonsdale stepped out the penalty box after serving a minor for teammate Gus El-Tahhan, took a pass from Luke Buss and beat Express goalie Adam Manji on a breakaway.
El-Tahhan had been assessed the penalty and a misconduct for a big hit into the corner boards that left Coquitlam defenseman Tanner Attew lying face down on the ice for several moments. He was eventually able to get to his feet and skate to the bench where he disappeared into the Express dressing room.
Jake Manfre got Coquitlam back to within a goal 7:31 into the third period. But less than six minutes later Nanaimo restored its two-goal advantage when Buss netted his ninth goal of the season.
Again, though, the Express refused to die, as less than two minutes later Luke Vardy narrowed the margin to 5-4.
But an insurance goal by Isa Parekh into the empty net with 1:12 left in regulation time iced Nanaimo’s first win in its last three games.
Coquitlam goalie Adam Manji left the game after allowing the first three goals on just 11 shots, but returned to start the second period and ended up finishing with 19 saves. Backup Eric Young stopped all three shots he faced in his half period of work.
The Express fired 30 shots at Clippers keeper Tyler Hodges.
Coquitlam next hosts the Langley Rivermen on Friday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m., at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
