Salmon Arm- The Coquitlam Express finished off their two-game interior road trip in Salmon Arm on Saturday, taking on the SilverBacks. The Express have been a force on the road this season, going into this match-up with a perfect 7-0-0-0 record away from home. On the other end, Salmon Arm is very battle tested being in the Interior Division; which features five teams with winning records.
It was the SilverBacks who jumped out to an early lead just 48 seconds in, thanks to a Landon Smith tally. Smith, who will be playing at Denver University next season is number one in league scoring. The other player contending for that scoring title, Coquitlam's Ryan Rosenthal, replied by grabbing an assist on Corey Mackin's short handed equalizer at 5:32 of the First Period. Rosenthal then netted one himself, scoring on the power play to give his team the lead. Salmon Arm tied the game back up just before the break with an Alex Gillies marker assisted by Smith.
The teams exchanged goals in the Second Period with finishes from Express forward Jace Hennig and 'Backs winger Jack Berezan. Salmon Arm took the lead for good 3:34 into the final frame however. Alex Gilles scored his second of the game assisted by, you guessed it, Landon Smith. The Silverback were able to finally end Coquitlam's road win streak with the 4-3 result.
Angus Redmond picked up the win in goal for Salmon Arm stopping 30 shots, while Express net minder Gordie Defiel made 32 stops in the loss.
Next up for Coquitlam is another showdown with rivals Langley on Friday, October 24th. Only two points separate the two for top spots in the Mainland Division.
