Defenseman Michael Rubin scored on a power play with 5:14 left in the third period to give the Coquitlam Express its first win in five games, 6-5 over the Cowichan Valley Capitals, Friday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
Rubin’s laser shot from the high slot stanched the momentum of the Capitals, which had just battled back from a 5-3 deficit earlier in the frame with two goals in less than four minutes.
The teams were tied 2-2 at the end of the first period.
Cowichan took the lead, 3-2, when Darius Bachler beat Express goalie Ethan Simcoe 2:49 into the second period.
But 48 seconds Cole Melady’s seventh goal of the season got Coquitlam back on even terms and just over two minutes later Joseph Odyniec put the home team in front with a power play goal, his 12th of the season.
James Shannon made it 5-3 for the Express after five minutes had been played in the third period before the Capitals stormed back on goals by Andrej Kovacevic and Frédéric Deschesnes, the latter a chip over Simcoe’s pad off a centering pass from Kovacevic.
Melady and Drew Garzone each led Coquiltam scorers with a goal and an assist while Simcoe made 25 saves in the Express net.
Kovacevic also had a three-point night for Cowichan. Ethan Morrow faced 30 shots in the Capitals net.
The Express next face the Langley Rivermen, Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the George Preston Arena in Langley before playing three games in three days next weekend. The Trail Smoke Eaters visit Poirier on Friday at 7 p.m., Cowichan returns on Saturday, also at 7 p.m., then Coquitlam visits the Surrey Eagles at 4 p.m. Sunday.
