The Coquitlam Express scored four times during a five-minute man advantage in the third period to power to a 7-3 win over the Chilliwack Chiefs Friday in Chilliwack.
The Express was down 2-0 4:07 into the third period when Chiefs’ centreman Bryan Jones was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for riding Coquitlam’s Luke Vardy hard into the boards behind the net. A subsequent skirmish between Jones and Mirko Buttazzoni also resulted in off-setting minor penalties for roughing.
It took the Express just 11 seconds to take advantage as Gavin Giesebrecht pounced on a rebound and lifted the puck past Chilliwack goalie Austin McNicholas.
EXPRESS GOAL!! 10 seconds into the power play the Express cut the lead in half! pic.twitter.com/VtAWUJq2Jc
— Coquitlam Express (@BCHLExpress) October 15, 2022
Less than a minute later, Mateo Dixon tied the game when he redirected Ray Hamlin’s shot from the left face-off circle.
A bullet shot over McNicholas’ shoulder by Jake Manfre gave Coquitlam a 3-2 lead 6:29 into the third period and Buttazzoni’s first goal of the season doubled their advantage before the power play was over.
EXPRESS GOAL!! 10 seconds into the power play the Express cut the lead in half! pic.twitter.com/VtAWUJq2Jc
— Coquitlam Express (@BCHLExpress) October 15, 2022
Chilliwack got one goal back on a power play of its own, but the visitors sealed the win by scoring the next three, one of them into an empty net.
Giesebrecht led the Express offence with two goals and two assists, while Dixon also scored twice and added an assist. Adam Manji made 21 saves in Coquitlam’s net while his teammates fired 30 shots at McNicholas.
The win was the team's third in a row after opening the BC Hockey League season with three losses and lifts the Express into third place in the Coastal conference standings.
The Express continues its extended stretch of road games through the month of October with a stop in Langley tonight to play the Rivermen, who have yet to win a game in seven starts.
Coquitlam’s next home game won’t be until Nov. 2, when Langley visits the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex for a special midweek afternoon tilt.
