Matthew Campbell and Shane LaVelle each had a goal and an assist, but their contributions weren’t enough as the Coquitlam Express lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Saturday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
Against the leaders of the BC Hockey League’s Interior division, the struggling Express more than held its own as the teams were tied 2-2 at the end of the first period and LaVelle’s goal midway through the third brought them even again to force overtime.
Nothing was decided in the five minutes of extra play, although the Silverbacks outshot the hosts, 6-3.
The shootout took six rounds before Owen Beckner put the decider past Express goalie Connor Mackenzie.
Besides Campbell and LaVelle, Kahlil Fontana also scored for Coquitlam in regulation time. Ryan Tattle had two assists.
Mackenzie stopped 44 of the 41 shots he faced in net, while the Express directed 41 shots at Silverbacks’ shotstopper Owen Say.
Coquitlam’s loss — its eighth in a row — dropped the team into last place in the Coastal division. Its six points in the same as the Cowichan Valley Capitals, but the Capitals have one more win.
The Express host the Langley Rivermen Wednesday, 7 p.m., at Poirier. The game features a special Salute to Canada’s Armed Forces. In addition to special jerseys for the Coquitlam players, there will be a ceremonial puck drop and displays of military vehicle and Coquitlam Legion colour party.
