The Coquitlam Express will play the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the first round of the BC Hockey League playoffs.
The Express clinched sixth place in the BC Hockey League’s Coastal division standings despite the team’s 5-4 loss to the Victoria Grizzlies Saturday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
The Langley Rivermen, which were just two points behind the Express, also lost, 3-2 in overtime to the Bulldogs.
Alberni Valley finished third in the standings.
After the Express and Grizzlies scored a total of six times in the first period, Anderson Pirtle put the visitors in front 4-3 with a power play goal just 1:17 into the second period.
James Shannon got Coquitlam back on even terms early in the third, but Jackseen Hungle scored the game winner with less than five minutes remaining in regulation time.
Cale Colwell scored twice — his first two goals of the season — to lead all Express scorers. Joseph Odyniec had a goal and an assist.
Adam Manji faced 43 shots in Coquitlam's net, while his teammates fired 46 at Grizzlie goalie Oliver Auyeung-Ashton.
The loss was the eighth in nine games the Express have played in the month of March and its fourth in a row.
Coquitlam will have one more chance to head into the post season on a winning note when it plays the Grizzlies again on Sunday, 3 p.m., at Poirier.
