The Coquitlam Express scored three unanswered goals in the second period to power a 4-2 win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in game two of their BC Hockey League first round playoff series, Saturday in Port Alberni.
Each team now has a win as the series heads back to Coquitlam for games three and four on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Alberni Valley scored the only goal of the first period.
Kasper Walther-Sneve got the Express on even terms 12:31 into the second period when he scored on a rebound off Patrick Reilly’s shot.
Less than four minutes later the visitors went in front as James Shannon knocked home another rebound to the left of Bulldogs goalie Callum Tung and just over two minutes after that Drew Garzone’s bullet shot over Tung’s shoulder increased Coquitlam’s advantage to 3-1.
Alberni Valley’s Braden Blace closed the margin to 3-2 just 21 seconds after the second intermission But they couldn’t get the equalizer past Express goalie Adam Manji who stopped 38 shots on the night.
Garzone’s second goal of the night into an empty net with 55 seconds remaining in regulation time assured Coquitlam’s win, its first since March 15.
Game time for both games at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex is 7 p.m.
Game five will be played next Friday, April 12, in Port Alberni.
