Three third-period goals weren't enough to erase a large lead as the Coquitlam Express dropped their fifth straight, losing 6-4 to the visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs Friday night.
The Dogs jumped out to a 2-1 lead after one period and built the lead to 5-1 in the second despite being outshot 21-6. The Express continued to fire pucks on net in the third, with Bo Pieper converting a rebound and Joey Santucci finishing a nice feed from BCHL assist leader Adam Rockwood to pull Coquitlam within two. But an empty net goal restored the Bulldogs' three-goal lead before Marc Biega finished off the scoring in the final minute.
Rookie scoring leader Corey Mackin also found the net for Coquitlam to give him 12 on the year. Gordie Defiel turned aside 31 shots for Coquitlam, who outshot Alberni Valley 45-37.
The loss drops the Express' record to 8-9-0-2, one point up on the Surrey Eagles who visit Coquitlam at 7 p.m. tonight.
Cats drop pair
The Port Moody Panthers will be in North Vancouver tonight to take on the Wolf Pack in Pacific Junior Hockey League Action.
The Panthers fell 4-3 in overtime to the Grandview Steelers Sunday in Burnaby after a 7-3 loss Saturday at the hands of the first-place Abbotsford Pilots.
Hammond Jones, who was just obtained along with defenceman Nicco Marconato in a trade that sent Michael Urbaniak to the Steelers, notched his first goal for the Panthers Sunday. Jordan Wharrie and Adam Rota also scored for Port Moody.
Wolfgang Schoenefubh scored twice and Daniel Delbianco added a single in Saturday's loss to Abbotsford.
The Panthers snapped an eight-game slide with a 4-2 win over the North Delta Devils last Thursday.
Delbianco with a pair, Wharrie and Kurt Sonne supplied the Panthers offence.
