The Coquitlam Express scored the first goal of the game but then surrendered the next five in a 5-1 loss to the Powell River Kings Monday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
It was the Kings first win in six games and only its tenth 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.
“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 Anthony Yu beat Express goalie Ethan Simcoe while on a power play.
The Kings added two goals in the second period and two more in the third.
Simcoe faced 33 shots in his fourth loss of the season while his teammates directed 24 shots at Kings goalie Vincent Lamberti.
Coquitlam will try to bounce back Friday when it hosts the Chilliwack Chiefs, 7 p.m., at Poirier. It will be the fourth meeting between the Coastal division rivals in two weeks.
The Chiefs won the first two games before the Express prevailed 3-2 in overtime on Saturday in Chilliwack.
