Coquitlam Express scored the first goal of the game but then surrendered the next five in a 5-1 loss to Powell River Kings Monday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex. It was the Kings first win in six games and only its 10th of the BC Hockey League season.
The loss slips the Express below .500 with 41 points in 42 games. The team has 19 wins, 20 losses, an overtime loss and two setbacks in shootouts. Along with their 10 wins, the Kings have 29 losses and three defeats in overtime.
“This was a pretty big letdown for our guys,” said Coquitlam’s associate coach Jeff Wagner after the game. “We got exactly what we deserved.”
The loss was especially disappointing for the home team as it came before a packed house of more than 2,300 fans who were able to attend for free in a special Family Day promotion backed by an anonymous donor. It was the second sellout this season for the Express, the first time that's happened since the team was founded in 2001.
After Luke Vardy opened the scoring with his eighth goal of the season 11:08 into the first period, Powell River wrested control of the game just over a minute later when Yu beat Express goalie Ethan Simcoe while on a power play.
The Kings added two goals in the second period (Christian Maro and Anthony Lucarelli) and two more in the third (Adam Medelson and Ryan Arnold).
Simcoe faced 33 shots in his fourth loss of the season while his teammates directed 24 shots at Kings goalie Vincent Lamberti.
The win ended a three-game weekend road trip for Powell River on a high note. The trip began with losses to Surrey (4-1) and Chilliwack (5-2).
Powell River hosts Alberni Valley for a pair of games this weekend. Game times are 7 pm on Friday, February 23, and 5 pm on Saturday, February 24.
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