The latest player acquisitions by the Coquitlam Express are already paying off.
Sebastian Bradshaw, a Dallas Stars’ prospect who signed with the Express last week, scored the winning goal with four minutes left in the third period in the BC Hockey League team’s 3-1 win over the Langley Rivermen Saturday.
It was Coquitlam’s second win over Langley in as many nights after another newcomer, Cole Melady, had a goal and an assist in the Express’ 3-2 victory Friday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
In Saturday’s return match at the George Preston Arena, Joseph Odyniec put Coqutilam up 1-0 with a power play goal 5:37 into the second period.
Bradshaw’s unassisted goal made it 2-0 before Luke Ashton got the home team back to within a goal with 1:13 left in regulation time..
But a minute later, Logan Morrell scored into an empty net to give the Express its seventh victory of the season, and rookie goaltender Ethan Simcoe his fourth win in as many starts.
Simcoe stopped 29 shots while his teammates fired 27 at Langley goaltender Mason Beaupit.
Friday, Melady’s goal 5:32 into the third period got Coquitlam back on even terms with the Rivermen 2-2. He then set up Jake Manfre’s game winner with less than five minutes to play.
Melady was acquired from the Cowichan Valley Capitals last Wednesday in a deal that sent Gavin Giesbrecht to the Vancouver Island team. He also had an assist in Saturday’s game.
Adam Manji stopped 37 o fthe 39 shots he faced in the Express net. Charlie Tritt made 26 saves in Langley’s net.
Coquitlam heads to Prince George for its next game, Nov. 15, before returning home to play a three-game homestand beginning Nov. 17 against the Powell River Kings.
