The Coquitlam Express went on a road trip and returned with a playoff spot.
Three straight wins, that included a pair of weekend victories over the Powell River Kings, have secured the Express a spot in the BC Hockey League’s post-season. The team kicked off its road swing with a 6-5 overtime win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals last Friday.
The victories give the Express 44 points, 10 more than the Kings and Capitals, who are now in a dogfight for the last playoff opening that remains in the BCHL’s Coastal division.
Sunday afternoon at Hap Parker Arena in Powell River, the Express followed up its 5-3 win over the Kings the night before with an 8-3 victory.
Express captain Ryan Tattle had three goals, while Ray Hamlin chipped in a pair, along with an assist, to pace the offence, which fired 42 shots at Kings’ goalies Matthias Smith and Zak Brice.
Smith was chased after the first period when Coquitlam scored on five of its 16 shots in the frame.
Holden Cardinal got the barrage started early when he beat Smith just 25 seconds after the opening face-off.
Powell River replied with a pair of goals less than two minutes apart. But after that it was all Coquitlam as the Express scored the next four goals to take a 5-2 lead before the home team got one back with less than a minute to play.
Coquitlam rounded out its scoring with three unanswered goals in the second period. Neither team scored in the third period.
Express goalie Carter Woodside stopped 24 shots to earn his 12th win of the season.
Perhaps most encouraging for Coquitlam coming home from the weekend victories, though, was the scoring contributions of its defencemen. They accounted for four of the team’s five goals Saturday and two more Friday, including the game winner by Matthew Campbell in overtime.
That well-rounded attack will be tested Friday, when the Express host the division-leading — and possible first-round playoff opponent — Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Game time is 7 p.m. It’s the team’s last regular-season game at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, although Coquitlam will be the home team for its season finale March 26 against the Chilliwack Chiefs that will be played at the Chilliwack Coliseum.
