The BCHL's most explosive offence ran out of gas Sunday afternoon in Prince George as the Coquitlam Express saw their six-game unbeaten streak come to an end.
The Spruce Kings used a three-goal second period on their way to a 5-1 win over the Express.
Gordie Defiel made 35 saves for the Express, who were outshot 40-25. Cameron Marks had Coquitlam's only goal.
"We just kind of mentally hit a wall and were a little worn out," said Express coach Barry Wolff.
Adam Rockwood scored with just over a minute remaining Saturday night to preserve the streak and lift the Express to a 3-3 tie with Prince George.
"It wasn't nothing from the highlight reel, he had control of it at the blue-line and threw it at the net and it found its way in," Wolff said of Rockwood's goal.
"It was a good game, back and forth with a lot of speed and energy."
Bo Pieper and Joey Santucci also scored for the Express, who again gave up over 40 shots with Pierce Dushenko making 39 saves.
"Not taking anything away from Prince George, but it's a smaller rink than ours and they just hit the blue-line and threw it on net," said Wolff, pointing out the Express also managed over 40 shots. "It's just the dimensions of the rink, you try to throw everything at the net."
Rockwood had both goals in a 2-1 win over the Merritt Centennials Friday night in Coquitlam, netting the winner on a shorthanded wrap-around in the third.
Coquitlam struggled on the power play throughout the weekend, failing to capitalize on any of their 10 chances.
"We want our power play to be 25% and that's definitely not going to get it done," said Wolff.
The Express now continue their string of eight straight games on the road, heading to Surrey to take on the Eagles Wednesday before travelling back to Prince George for another two-game set beginning Friday night.
"Our goal since the beginning of the year has been to get better every day and that's all we're trying to do. We're not worried about anything else right now," said Wolff.
The Express now have 51 points in 47 games, six points back of second-place Prince George and 11 up on Surrey.
The 50/50 draw at Friday night's Express game raised $650 for the family of Julie Paskall, who was beaten to death outside a Surrey arena last month.
