A pair of weekend wins have vaulted the Coquitlam Express to the top of the BC Hockey League standings.
The Express beat the Chilliwack Chiefs 4-1, in Chilliwack, on Sunday. That was the team’s fifth win in a row, following a 4-0 defeat of West Kelowna at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex on Friday.
Coquitlam has 34 points in 21 games, one better than the Penticton Vees and Salmon Arm Silverbacks, which each have 33 points, although Penticton has played one less game.
Sunday, Massimo Rizzo had a goal and an assist to lead the Express over the Chiefs, which now trails Coquitlam by six points in the Mainland division standings despite having played one more game.
Greg Lapointe, and Steven Bellini also scored for the Express, which led 2-0 after the first period and 3-0 heading into the third. Clay Stevenson stopped 16 of 17 shots he faced in Coquitlam’s net to earn his 13th win of the season.
Friday, Stevenson stopped all 24 shots he faced to lead the Express to their shutout win over West Kelowna on home ice.
Joshua Wildaueer, Tyler Schleppe, Noah De La Durantaye and Rizzo provided the offence as Coquitlam rained 39 shots on Warriors’ goalies Brock Baier and Johnny Derrick.
The Express host Prince George on Wednesday, 7:15 p.m., at Poirier, then head out on a four-game road trip that includes stops in Port Alberni, Cowichan, Powell River and finally the South Surrey Arena.
