It was a wild night for Joshua Wildauer.
The Coquitlam Express forward scored a goal, added an assist, got kicked out of the game for a fight with eight minutes left to play and still earned first star honours as he led his team to a 4-1 victory over the Vernon Vipers Friday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
Wildauer’s assault on the so-called “Gordie Howe hat trick” began midway through the first period, when he helped set up Regan Kimens for Coquitlam’s first goal.
The Express made it 2-0 9:10 into the second period on a goal by Christian Sanda.
Connor Gregga’s unassisted goal less than three minutes into the third boosted Coquitlam’s lead to 3-0 before Josh Latta got one back for the Vipers.
That’s when Wildauer caught fire. Midway through the third period he capitalized on a power play, beating Vernon goalie Aidan Porter for his ninth goal of the season.
Then, less than two minutes later Wildauer was involved in a spirited scrap with Carver Watson. Both players were assessed major and game misconduct penalties with Wildauer earning an extra two for being the instigator.
The Express fired 37 shots at Porter, while Coquitlam’s Clay Stevenson stopped 31 of the 32 shots he face, one of them a penalty shot by Jagger Williamson in the second period.
The win allows the Express to keep pace with the league leading Chilliwack Chiefs, who defeated the Langley Rivermen Friday, 3-2. Coquitlam has 29 points in 21 games, three fewer than the Chiefs, who’ve played one more game.
The Express are now off until next Friday, when they’ll play the Trail Smoke Eaters in Trail.
