The Coquitlam Express have clinched a playoff spot and added another mark in the win column after a decisive victory over the visiting Salmon Arm SilverBacks Saturday night.
Coquitlam currently sits in third place in the B.C. Hockey League's Mainland Division with 57 points, chasing the second place Prince George Spruce Kings, who have 65 points.
One of the largest crowds of the season were on hand to watch the Express dismantle their Interior Division opponent, who are struggling to secure a berth in the post-season.
Ryan Rosenthal opened the scoring for the home team, when he buried a feed from Marc Biega seven and a half minutes into the opening frame.
Salmon Arm responded with a goal from league point-leader Landon Smith, but that would be all the offence the SilverBacks could muster on Saturday.
Coquitlam's defence silenced Smith and his fellow forwards, while the Express managed to fill their opponents net.
Bo Pieper made it 2-1 before the end of the first period, before Corey Mackin added two in the second and Rosenthal scored his second on a short-handed breakaway.
Coquitlam capitalized on several power play opportunities in the third period. When Salmon Arm's Alex Gillies was sent to the box for cross-checking, Express forward Cody Boyd took the opportunity to net his third goal of the season.
Another power play allowed Canon Pieper to score a goal.
The club was expected to take on the Mainland Division leaders the Langley Rivermen on Tuesday, after The Tri-City News' deadline.
CATS' MISS THE POST SEASON
Saturday's loss to the Aldergrove Kodiaks at a win by the Mission City Outlaws means the Port Moody Panthers have missed their chance at the Pacific Junior Hockey League playoffs.
The team's post-season fate was already sealed when Aldergrove visited the Port Moody Arena on Saturday, after Mission took two points in a game last week. However, the Cats did not let up against the Harold Brittain Conference leaders, at one point holding a one goal lead over the visiting club. But hopes that the Panthers could manage a plucky win were dashed in the second period when the Kodiaks scored three unanswered goals. Port Moody eventually lost the game 7-4.
