The Coquitlam Express scored five times in the first period and never looked back en route to a 7-4 victory over the Surrey Eagles on Saturday night at the Coquitlam Sports Centre.
Surrey opened the scoring on a Kyle Madsen tally six minutes into regulation, but the Express offence went to work from there with Destry Straight scoring twice in the span of 1:04 and Brad Reid, Mitchell Deacon and Jesse Halikas adding singles before intermission.
Goals from Erik Cooper and Brad McGowan brought the Eagles within two for a brief spell in the second, but Jason Grecica and Reid replied quickly to put the lid on any thoughts of a Surrey comeback. Hayden Trupp capped the scoring midway through the third.
The trio of Reid, Massimo Lamacchia and Garrick Perry each counted four-point nights while Straight chipped in an assist to go with his two goals. Khaleed Devji picked up the win in net for the Express, stopping 12 shots in just over 35 minutes before giving way to Luke Hernandez.
Meanwhile, in Salmon Arm, a pair of third period power-play tallies from Matt Cassidy stood up as the difference in a 4-2 SilverBacks' win over the Merritt Centennials. The teams has traded goals in the first and second periods as Morgan Zulinick and Josh Manson had netted for the 'Backs and Brandon Pfeil and Steve Tresierra replied for the Cents. Kris Moore picked up the win with 25 saves.
In Westside, Kyle Murphy scored and added two assists to lead Vernon to a 4-1 triumph over the Warriors. Bryce Kakoske and Matthew Maher had exchanged goals in the opening frame, but second period markers from Aaron Hadley and Murphy gave the Vipers all the offence they would need on the evening. Blake Voth turned aside 24 shots in the Vernon net to pick up the victory.
In Victoria, Matt Ginn put in another fine performance with 32 saves to help the Grizzlies to a 4-2 win over Alberni Valley. Joel Lowry scored twice for the hosts while Chase Paylor and David Morley added singles, and Lars Hepso and Sam Mitchell replied for the Bulldogs. Frank Slubowski faced 19 shots and took the loss for Alberni Valley.
In Nanaimo, the Clippers scored eight times in the first period and cruised to a 10-2 victory over Prince George. Mike Domsodi recorded a hat trick in the first and finished alongside linemate Brayden Jaw with five points on the night. Triplet brothers Leo, Myles and Gerry Fitzgerald were also in on the action, as all scored goals in the same game for the first time. Jujhar Khaira and RJay Berra replied in the loss for the Spruce Kings.
In Powell River, another pair of brothers teamed up to provide offence as Brendon and Bond Hawryluk each tallied in a 7-2 Kings win over Quesnel. Powell River busted open a close game with three goals in the second, including the first of three from Andrew Pettitt. Spencer Graboski and Skyler Smutek were the Mills' scorers in the loss.
In Penticton, recent Denver commit Joey Laleggia set up a pair of early third period goals that were the difference in a 6-4 victory for the Vees over Trail. The teams were tied after 40 minutes, but goals from Brendan O'Donnell and Logan Johnston in the span of 1:12 were enough to secure the two points. Sam Mellor continued his blistering pace offensively for the Smoke Eaters, picking up a goal and two assists to move himself into a tie for the league scoring lead.
