Coqutilam HC gave up a goal after just 10 seconds and trailed 3-0 after the first period en route to an 8-3 loss to Langley Hockey Academy in their Junior Prospects Hockey League U18 game, Wednesday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
The special midweek matinee was an opportunity for local school groups and players from the JPHL’s younger age brackets to see the top tier of the independent developmental hockey circuit in action.
Some of its players are affiliates of BC Hockey League teams like the Coquitlam Express and Langley Rivermen as they’re no longer allowed to develop players in leagues the Pacific Junior Hockey League that are sanctioned by Hockey Canada. The Junior ‘A’ circuit broke away from the sport’s national governing body in 2023 to operate independently.
Coquitlam HC, which is seventh in the U18 standings, trailed 5-0 after two periods before each team scored three goals in the third period.
Coquitlam HC got goals from Lukas Kurtz, Logan Barnes and Shannon Long, while Ryder Riedel chipped in a pair of assists.
Rookie goal Rhys Penninga faced 51 shots in Coquitlam’s net while his teammates fired 29 at Langley’s Colton Bush.
