The Coquitlam Express scored three times with the man advantage and another on a penalty shot while shorthanded to power their way to a 6-3 over the Power River Kings in their BC Hockey League game, Sunday at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex.
The game was delayed for almost 30 minutes in the second period after Express forward Danny Pearson was hit heavily into the boards by Kings defenceman Ryan Pouliot and the Coquitlam player failed to get up. Trainer Ross Maceluch rushed onto the ice and was followed quickly by his counterpart from the visiting team.
As they worked on the felled forward, the game’s officials sent both teams to their dressing rooms and then retreated to their own dressing room as medical staff awaited the arrival of an ambulance for transport to the hospital.
In a Tweet, the Express said Pearson was conscious and able to move his extremities. Pouliot was not penalized on the play.
The Express pressed the play right from the opening face-off and were rewarded 3:54 into the game when Christian Sanda beat Powell River goalie Matteo Paler-Chow. But the bigger reward was for the dozens of kids who will receive a new stuffed animal as Sanda’s goalie was celebrated by a shower of teddy bears tossed from the crowd of more than 800 in the stands as the game was also Coquitlam’s annual pre-Christmas promotion to help needy families.
Joshua Bruce made it 2-0 with his second goal in as many games as he ripped a shot over Paler-Chow’s glove hand after he had been awarded a penalty shot when he was hauled down on a breakaway by Pouliot. The Express were shorthanded at the time, with Jordan Schulting sitting in the box for tripping.
A goal by Cooper Connell, in his first game back after an illness, made it 3-0 after the opening period.
A power play goal by Chase Danol less than two minutes into the second period increased Coquitlam’s lead to 4-0.
Mitch Williams got one of those back for the Kings, but another power play goal by the Express, this time by Alex DiPaolo, with nine seconds left in the second period restored Coquitlam’s advantage.
All three goals scored in the third period — two by Powell River and another by the Express — were with their teams enjoying a man advantage.
Sanda added a pair of assists to his goal to lead Coquitlam’s scorers and earn the game’s first star. Matthews stopped 29 of the 32 shots he face, including 10 of 12 in the third period.
The Express are now off for the holidays. Their next game will be Dec. 29 in Chilliwack against the Chiefs. They then host the Langley Rivermen the next day at 3 p.m. at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex.
