Coco Armstrong and Luke Vardy each scored a goal and an assist to lead the Coqutilam Express to a 5-2 win over the Langley Rivermen, Saturday at the George Preston Arena in Langley.
The win evens the series between the conference rivals; each has two wins in their four meetings so far this season.
Armstrong opened the scoring 3:23 into the first period when he stuck with his own rebound after a turnover at the Langley blue line and lifted the puck over Rivermen goalie Anjeet Gundarah.
Tyler Kopff extended Coquitlam’s lead to 2-0 when he scored with seven seconds to go in the period, the Emmett McHardy made it 3-0 after 11 minutes had been played in the second period.
The home team closed the gap to 3-2 with goals by Walker Gelbard late in the frame and Tanner Ate 6:17 into the third period, but Mirko Buttazzoni with his ninth goal of the season and Vardy into an empty net ensured Coquitlam’s third win in its past four games.
Adam Manji stopped 34 shots in the Express net, while Gundarah faced 42 shots.
The two teams will meet again on Friday (Nov. 18) at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex. Opening face-off is at 7 p.m.
