The Coquitlam Express carried a 3-0 lead into the third period then scored a goal into the empty net to seal a 4-1 victory over the Cowichan Valley Capitals Sunday at the Island Savings Centre in Duncan.
It was Coquitlam’s second straight win on the road and maintains their five-point margin over the Langley Rivermen in the race for third place in the BC Hockey League’s Mainland Division. Langley defeated Vernon on Sunday, 4-2. The Rivermen also have a game in hand.
The Express took a 1-0 lead 6:42 into the first period when Dallas Farrell took a pass from Danny Pearson and ripped a shot over the pad of Capitals’ keeper Jack Grant.
A power play goal by Connor Gregga 14:29 into the second period extended their advantage to 2-0 and Ty Westgard made it 3-0 nine seconds before the intermission break.
Brady Lynn got Cowichan Valley on the scoreboard 13:30 into the third period after a scramble in front of Clay Stevenson in Coquitlam’s net. But Regan Kimens was able to ice the win when he beat an icing call and deposited the puck into the Capitals’ empty net with 59 seconds left on the clock.
In addition to his goal, Kimens also had a pair of assists.
Both teams fired 27 shots.
Coquitlam travels to Vernon for a game against the Vipers on Wednesday. They’ll then wrap up their regular season schedule on Friday against the Surrey Eagles at South Surrey Arena.
The playoffs begin Friday, March 1. If the standings remain the same in the Mainland division, with the Chilliwack Chiefs in first place, five points ahead of Prince George, the Express would be matched against the Spruce Kings.
