Four straight goals propelled the Coquitlam Express back into its BC Hockey League playoff series against the Chilliwack Chiefs.
The Express defeated the Chiefs 5-1 Tuesday at the Chilliwack Coliseum to cut the Chiefs’ lead in the best-of-seven series to two games to one.
Coquitlam got first period goals from Gavin Giesebrecht and Luke Vardy, a goal in the second period by by Ray Hamlin and another by Tyler Kopff 12:05 into the third period before Chilliwack’s AJ Lacroix was finally able to get a puck past Express goalie Brady Smith with less than six minute left in regulation time.
Ethan Rosenoff rounded out the visiting team’s scoring at 19:19 of the final frame.
The win was a much-needed bounce back after the Express dropped the opening two games of the opening round playoff series at home last Friday and Saturday.
Right from the opening face-off, Coquitlam seemed determined to swing the series’ momentum back its way. The Express outshot the home team 33-22 and converted two of its five power play chances while allowing the Chiefs nothing the two times it had the man advantage.
Smith even stopped a penalty shot in the third period by Chilliwack’s Dalton MacGillivray.
The teams meet again for game four, Wednesday in Chilliwack. They’ll return to Coquitlam for game five on Friday, 7 p.m., at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
