The third period hasn't been kind to the Coquitlam Express. The Express watched third-period leads slip away as they dropped a pair of home games over the weekend.
Kurt Black and Ben Butcher scored in the third period to lift the Chilliwack Chiefs past the Express 4-3 on Sunday. Reid Simmonds scored his second of the game in the final minute Friday night to help the West Kelowna Warriors skate away with a 4-3 win. The loss drops Coquitlam's record to 8-8-0-2.
"Friday and Sunday we thought we outplayed the opponent, we just didn't score more goals. Both games they came back in the third and we just need to be better defensively," said Express head coach Barry Wolff.
The Express had plenty of spark heading into Sunday's game, jumping out to a quick two-goal lead after Corey Mackin and Jace Hennig combined for a pair. But Quentin McShane replied shorthanded to pull the Chiefs within one despite being outshot in the first 20-9.
"We got two goals but there were so many chances we should have been up 4-0 or 5-0. We could feel it was going to come back and sting us," said Wolff.
Joey Santucci scored in the second to restore Coquitlam's two-goal lead but Jaret Babych brought the Chiefs back within one before the end of the period. Gordie Defiel made 23 saves for the Express, who outshot Chilliwack 52-27.
"When we needed a big save we didn't get it," said Wolff. "At the end of the day we've always talked about playing 60 minutes and we just haven't got to that point. We just need to be better, more committed to our systems and just being smarter in certain situations."
Zach Hodder, Canon Pieper and Bo Pieper provided the scoring is Friday's loss to the Warriors.
Daniell Lange's two goals were the lone bright spot in a 12-2 drubbing at the hands of the Langley Rivermen Thursday night.
"It was just one of those games where we couldn't get a bounce. They would shoot and it would hit a shin pad or a stick and end up right on their tape with an empty tape. And then the flood gates just opened," said Wolff.
The Express only play once this weekend, hosting the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Friday at 7 p.m.
"We've had a real tough stretch for the past few weeks and the guys are probably a little worn out. It's going to be good for us to get some rest and just get refocused," said Wolff.
