Sam Frandina’s power play goal with 33 seconds left in overtime lifted the Coquitlam Express to a 3-2 win over the Chilliwack Chiefs, Friday at the Chilliwack Coliseum.
It was Frandina’s second goal of the game; he also scored midway through the third period to make it 2-2, setting up the extra period of three-on-three play.
After a slow start to the 10-minute overtime with players wheeling back to control the tempo, the pace picked up with several odd-man rushes and big saves by the goaltenders, especially Coquitlam’s Adam Manji, who faced a total of 32 shots on the night.
It was after one of the those saves a scrum broke out behind the Express net resulting in a roughing penalty to Chilliwack’s Ty Campbell with 1:06 remaining.
Facing each other for the third time in a week, the team’s exchanged goals in the first period. Neither scored in the second.
Brendan Ruskowski put the Chiefs in front 2-1 7:23 into the third period when he ripped a shot over Mani’s shoulder and into the top corner of the net after teammate Stone Rolston forced a turnover behind the red line.
Frandina also assisted on Jake Manfre’s first period goal to finish the night with three points.
The Express fired 25 shots at Chilliwack goalie Vladimir Nikitin.
Coquitlam will play the Chiefs one more time this regular season, Feb. 23 at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex. The Express has won four of their six meetings so far.
Coquitlam returns home to play the Powell River Kings on Monday at noon. Admission to the special Family Day matinee is free, but tickets should be obtained in advance.
