The Coquitlam Express couldn’t hold onto a 3-1 lead they’d built early in the second period and lost 4-3 to the Langley Rivermen in a special BC Hockey League matinee game Wednesday at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex.
The loss leaves the Express three points behind the Chilliwack Chiefs for top position in the Mainland Division as well as the entire league.
Langley opened the scoring just 50 seconds into the game when Ethan Leyh beat Express keeper Kolby Matthews with a quick snapper past his blocker.
Connor Gregga got the Express back on even terms just over 11 minutes later by batting a rebound out of mid-air past Braedon Fleming in the Langley net.
Danny Pearson and Dallas Farrell put the Express up 3-1 before the second period was six minutes old. But their advantage lasted just over a minute.
After Langley’s head coach Bobby Henderson called a timeout, C.J. Walker scored to cut the Rivermen’s deficit to one goal and then, six minutes later, Daniel Lategan tied it as he and teammate Devin Leduc broke in on the Coquitlam net uncontested.
Leduc put his name on the scoresheet 5:40 into the third period, capping a brilliant solo rush from deep in Langley’s zone and past four Express defenders by sliding the puck under Matthews. His goal stood up as the game winner, the Rivermen’s second win in three games against Coquitlam this season.
Matthews, who earlier this week committed to playing next season at the Rochester Institute of Technology, stopped 32 of the 36 shots he faced in Coquitlam’s net.
His teammates fired 28 shots at Langley’s Fleming.
The Express host the Vernon Vipers Friday, 7 p.m., at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex. They’ll then enjoy a week off before travelling to Trail for a game against the Smoke Eaters on Nov. 9.
