Jake Manfre scored 5:02 into overtime to give the Coquitlam Express a 4-3 win over the Langley Rivermen, Friday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
Manfre took a little drop pass from teammate Nate Crema along the near boards then swept around the Rivermen defence before tucking a backhander through the legs of goalkeeper Mason Beaupit.
OT Winner in Coquitlam! 🚨#BCHL | @BCHLExpress pic.twitter.com/l3tJykYdHM
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) December 9, 2023
It was Manfre’s 13th goal of the season and capped a late comeback for the home team, which was trailing 3-1 in the third period.
Logan Morrell started the Express on the road back with a power play goal at 13:43 then Drew Garzone scored with 14 seconds remaining in regulation time and Coquitlam goalie Adam Manji on the bench for an extra attacker to extend the game into the extra period.
Langley scored the only two goals in the first period as the visitors outshot the home side 15-6.
Kasper Walther-Sneve got the Express on the board 2:13 into the second period. His fifth goal of the season sparked a rain of teddy bears onto the ice for the team’s annual promotion that collects the toys for the Kirmac Cares for Kids charity.
Kasper Walther-Sneve goes shelf and the Teddy Bears start flying! 🎯#BCHL | @BCHLExpress pic.twitter.com/hVMUJ91Vjl
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) December 9, 2023
Aaron Reierson restored the Rivermen’s two-goal advantage early in the third period.
Manji stopped 38 shots to earn his seventh win of the season while his teammates fired 47 shots at Beaupit.
The Express head to Chilliwack for a game against the Chiefs Saturday. The two rivals are tied in the BC Hockey League’s Coastal division standings with 25 points each, although the Chiefs have played one more game.
Two Express are all-stars
Jake Manfre will be joined by teammate Cole Melady on the Coastal division all-star team for the BCHL’s outdoor All-Star tournament in Penticton on Jan. 20.
Melady was one of seven additional players selected to the showcases of the league’s best players by a week-long fan vote.
The players from both divisions will be split into four teams comprised of six players and one goalie to compete in a special three-on-three tournament on an outdoor ice surface in downtown Penticton. There is also a skills competition.