The Merritt Centennials ended the Coquitlam Express' two-game win streak in a match that fans of high-scoring hockey games would appreciate.
Things started off slow at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, with only the Cents managing a goal in the first period, a power play marker off the stick of Michael Ederer.
However, in the second period the goal lamp could have overheated, with both teams pumping in three goals each.
Merritt's Colin Grannary potted an early marker, before teammate Jake Clifford scored an unassisted goal five minutes into the middle frame.
The Express got on the board with a goal from BCHL scoring leader Corey Mackin, before teammate Jivan Sidhu scored his fifth of the season.
Both teams exchanged goals toward the end of the period, with Mackin potting a power play goal with 52 seconds before the second intermission to make it 4-3 for the visitors.
Neither team slowed down in the third.
Centennial scored with the man-advantage before Sidhu cut Merritt's lead to one goal 60 seconds later.
However, the visiting team began to pull away midway through the third.
Merritt's John Schiavo and Gavin Gould scored 20 seconds apart to give the Cents a 7-4 lead.
Coquitlam's Noah Turanski managed to pot another for the home club, but it was not enough to close the gap. The Cents managed to snag one more insurance goal before the period ended, winning the game 8-5.
The Express will gear up for a brief road trip. The team will take on Chilliwack at Prospera Centre on Friday before playing West Kelowna at Royal LePage Place Saturday night.
