The Langley Rivermen scored four unanswered goals in the third period to come from behind to defeat the Coquitlam Express 7-5 in their BC Hockey League game, Tuesday at the George Preston Arena in Langley.
It was the fourth loss in a row for the Express, who are now only four points ahead of the Rivermen for third place in the Mainland Division.
Coquitlam took an early lead. Goals by Connor Gregga, on a tip in, and Joshua Wildauer put them up 2-0 before the game was three minutes old.
Chase Pletzke got one of those back for the Rivermen midway through the frame but Alex DiPaolo restored Coquitlam’s two-goal advantage when he scored on a breakaway with less than two minutes until the break.
Langley fought back early in the second period. After Cooper Connell was sent to the penalty box for tripping, Ethan Leyh scored on the power-play to pull the Rivermen to within a goal. Leyh then tied it 5:17 into the frame.
Less than two minutes later, the Express were in front again when Danny Pearson squeezed a shot through Langley goalie Braedon Fleming and, 24 seconds later, it was another goal by Pearson that put Coquitlam up 5-3.
That proved to be a goal too many for Fleming, who had allowed five to get past him in the Langley net on only 15 shots. He was replaced Shayne Battler, who lived up to his name by stopping all 14 shots he faced.
Ominously, the Rivermen tied it by scoring a pair of shorthanded goals a minute apart as Langley’s Trevor Ayre sat in the box for slashing. William Stromp scored unassisted then Leyh completed his hat trick to make it 5-5, 6:02 into the third period.
Devin Leduc’s sixth goal of the season proved to be the winner for Langley, who then sealed their fourth win in a row with an empty net goal by Ayre late in the game.
Clay Stevenson faced 49 shots in net for the Express, who were also hobbled by the loss of defenceman — and team captain — Troy Robillard who left the game with an injury and did not return.
Coquitlam will try again for its 16th win of the season on Friday, when they host the Penticton Vees, 7 p.m., at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
