The Coquitlam Express scored three times in 93 seconds in the first period and rolled to 4-1 victory over the Prince George Spruce Kings, in their BC Hockey League game Wednesday afternoon at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
It was Coquitlam’s 12th straight win — a franchise record. It was also its 20th win on home ice, where the Express have yet to lose this season.
Facing the Spruce Kings for the third straight game, after the Express swept a pair of wins from the defending BCHL champions last weekend, Coquitlam took command on the blitz of goals by affiliate call-up Austin Fraser, Ethan O’Rourke and Cooper Connell.
Neither team scored in the second period.
Nick Bochen got on the board for the visitors 6:27 into the third period, but Connell’s second goal of the game at 10:59 restored Coquitlam’s advantage.
The teams’ familiarity with each other was set alight by a pair of fights in the second period. Christian MacDougall of the Express squared off against Prince George’s Carter Cochrane at 4:40, and less than six minutes later Coquitlam’s Bradley Ong battled Cole Leal of the Spruce Kings. All four combatants were rewarded with major penalties and game misconducts.
Clay Stevenson made 25 saves in Coquitlam’s net to earn his 22nd victory of the season, while his teammates fired 31 shots at Prince George goalie Carter Woodside.
The Express don’t play again until Dec. 28, when they face the Chilliwack Chiefs in Chilliwack.
