Coquitlam end the BCHL Showcase going 1W – 1L, after today’s victory against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
It was a great game that started fast, with Trail opening up the shots 7-0 early on. Coquitlam quickly took back to back penalties, with the latter being a double-minor. That would prove to be a sign of things to come, and Trail took advantage of the 4 minute power play by firing in their first goal.
The Express responded just a minute later, with a shorthanded goal from Shane Purves on a breakaway, and the first period ended tied at 1.
The second period saw Coquitlam take a total of 6 penalties, and the penalty kill shone brightly. Not only did they kill off all of them, but Michael Munroe scored another shorthanded goal off a heads up pass from Nishaan Parmar. Coquitlam kept it going with another special teams goal, this time from Chase Valliant on the power play.
The third period began with Coquitlam holding a 3-1 lead, but that was quickly cut into by Brayden Rotach, who capitalized on a misplayed puck by debut Express netminder Nathan Kam.
Nishaan Parmar scored at even strength to answer that Trail tally, and the score held 4-2 Express until the final 4 minutes. The Smoke Eaters tried to surmount a comeback, and they drew within 1 goal after Daniel Rassega scored on a wraparound.
The score remained 4-3 despite Trail pulling the goaltender for an extra attacker and shelling Nathan Kam late, the Express stood strong and claimed a regulation win.
Michael Munroe got 3rd star honours for his 2 point performance, and Shane Purves achieved the 1st star of the game, with a shorthanded goal and an assist on the game-winner.
Coquitlam now head home, and play next on Oct. 16th in Poirier Arena against the Langley Rivermen.
