The Coquitlam Express built a 6-2 lead then weathered a furious third-period comeback to defeat the Langley Rivermen, 6-5, Saturday at the George Preston Arena in Langley.
The win was Coquitlam’s fourth in a row, while the Rivermen have yet to register a victory in eight games.
The Express led 2-0 after the first period on goals by Tyler Kopek and Reilly Kotai.
Liam Tyler’s breakaway goal 3:21 into the second period extended Coquitlam’s advantage to three before Andrej Kovacevic scored a pair for Langley to pull the Rivermen back to within a goal.
But a pair of goals by Mateo Dixon sandwiched around another by Colton Alexander put the visitor up by four at the second intermission. It turns out the Express needed each of those insurance markers as Luke Munroe, Vitaly Levyy and Garrett Valk scored in the third period to pull Langley back to within a goal. But the effort proved too little too late for the Rivermen, whose record slipped to seven losses and another in overtime, worst in the BC Hockey League.
Jason Gallucci registered a pair of assists while Liam Tanner and Colton Alexander each had a goal and an assist.
Adam Manji stopped 20 of the 25 shots he faced while the Express fired 27 shots at Rivermen keeper Mango Panghli.
The Express continues its extended stretch of road games through the month of October with two games in this week’s BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack, where all the league’s teams gather for games in the same location to allow pro and college scouts the opportunity to evaluate potential recruits.
Coquitlam plays the Prince George Spruce Kings on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks Thursday evening at 7 p.m.
Th next home game for the Express won’t be until Nov. 2, when Langley visits the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex for a special midweek afternoon tilt.
