The Coquitlam Express scored two goals in the third period to send their game against the Prince George Spruce Kings into overtime, but Nick Bochen’s goal in the first round of the shootout proved the difference as Coquitlam fell 4-3 Friday at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
The single point earned by the Express leaves them five points ahead of the red-hot Langley Rivermen in the race for third place in the BC Hockey League’s Mainland division. The Rivermen won their sixth-straight game Friday, 6-2 over the Wenatchee Wild.
Coquitlam spotted the Spruce Kings a 2-0 lead in the first period before Ty Westgard halved the deficit late in the frame with a rapier shot from high in the slot that whistled past Prince George goalie Logan Neaton.
Dustin Manz restored the host’s two-goal advantage 15:05 into the second period.
But Coquitlam fought back to tie it in the third period on goals by Dallas Farrell on the power play and Jordan Schulting, who scored right off a face-off in the Spruce Kings’ zone won by Chase Danol. It was only the defenceman’s third goal of the season.
Neither team was able to score in the overtime, although the Express had the edge in shots, 4-2.
After Bochen’s goal in the shootout gave Prince George the advantage, Neaton turned aside Connor Gregga, Danol and Danny Pearson to preserve the win for the Spruce Kings.
Kolby Matthews made 29 saves for the Express, while Neaton stopped 21 of the 24 shots he face.
The two teams meet again in Prince George on Saturday.
