The Coquitlam Express turned back the clock and went into the Christmas break on a winning note with a 2-1 overtime victory over the visiting Powell River Kings at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex on Saturday.
The Express wore the uniforms of the old Coquitlam Comets, the junior team that represented the city from the 1960s until 1981.
The Comets — er, Express — streaked to a 1-0 lead when Alex Ambrosio tipped home a shot from the point by Lucas Wong 16:44 into the first period.
It stayed that way through a scoreless second period even though the Kings had three consecutive power play opportunities in a span of less than six minutes. But Express keeper Brock Hamm stopped every shot that came his way.
In fact, neither team had much success generating scoring chances as each offence failed to register 10 shots in any period. Both Hamm and Power River goalie Matteo Paler-Chow faced 23 shots on the night.
The Express had a golden opportunity to increase its narrow lead early in the third period when Powell River’s Ben Thomas was whistled for slashing, but the home team couldn’t convert its first power play of the night.
Shortly after the teams returned to full strength Express defenceman Landon Fuller was cut trying to break up a play at his own blueline and left the game. That put added pressure on the team’s remaining defencemen who managed to weather three more Powell River power plays.
It was while each team was down a skater late in the third perior when the Kings finally got to Hamm as Hunter Findlater deflected a shot into Coquitlam’s net with 1:07 left on the clock.
The tight defensive play continued in the first overtime. Powell River controlled the puck but managed only one shot before Coquitlam’s Troy Robillard was able to penetrate the Kings’ zone and Eric Linell knocked home the rebound.
Linell’s second overtime winning goal in just over a week, plus an assist on Ambrosio’s goal, earned him the game’s first star.
The win was a nice salve for Coquitlam before the holidays after a tough 3-1 home-ice loss to the Prince George Spruce Kings on Friday.
With the teams deadlocked 1-1 early in the third period and the Express on a power play, the Spruce Kings’ Dylan Anhorn cleared the puck down the ice. Coquitlam goalie Brock Hamm left his net to play the puck, but an unfortunate bounce sent the disc instead toward the net.
The Express tried to argue the puck hit a player on their bench but, after a brief discussion by the officials, the goal stood and the visitors had their second lead of the night. Ben Brar then sealed the win with a goal into the empty Coquitlam net with four seconds left in regulation.
Eric Linell scored Coquitlam’s lone goal. Hamm stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced.
The Express play next on Dec. 29, when they travel to Merritt for a game against the Centennials. The team returns to the Poirier complex the next night to host Chilliwack at 7 p.m.
