The Coquitlam Express gave up goals in the first and second period, and two in the third to drop a 4-0 decision to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Thursday (Oct. 20) at the Chilliwack Coliseum in the concluding game of the BC Hockey League’s annual Showcase.
It was Coquitlam’s first loss after five straight wins.
The team’s heavy schedule of games away from its home ice at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex may finally have caught up with it as the Express mustered just 22 shots at Salmon Arm goalie Carter Richardson, while allowing the Silverbacks 39 shots on Adam Manji.
Coquitlam hasn’t played a home game since Oct. 2 and it won’t return until Nov. 2.
Along the way, it’s already made the long trips to Powell River and Prince George, with three games on Vancouver Island still to come.
Brandon Santa Juana opened the scoring just 1:14 into the first period.
Ethan Ullrick doubled Salmon Arm’s lead six minutes into the second period then Maddux Martin and Ullrick again put the game away with goals in the third period.
The Silverbacks’ win was its third in a row, while Coquitlam’s record fell to five wins, two losses and an overtime loss.
The Express board the bus again Friday for a game in Langley against the Rivermen before embarking to Vancouver Island next weekend to play Alberni Valley, Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley on consecutive nights beginning Oct. 28.
Meanwhile, Coquitlam general manager Tali Campbell announced the team’s next home game, against the Rivermen in a special midweek matinee on Nov. 2, is already sold out as Poirier will be packed with school kids. It’s the first time the Express has been able to host the special event since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The 1,900 kids from various schools around School District 43 are able to attend for free because of sponsorship from Westside Pest Control and Great Canadian Oil Change, Campbell said.
“We are excited.”
