David Jones had a few minutes to think of what he wanted to do. Thankfully, the penalty killers provided him the opportunity.
The Coquitlam Express registered a franchise first, capturing their first regular season win over the Chilliwack Chiefs at the Valley’s venerable and rustic Coliseum.
The 7-6 overtime triumph tasted just as sweet as the club had imagined, with the Express rallying from a two-goal deficit with 10 minutes left in regulation.
Jones delivered the decisive strike, out-skating Chilliwack blueliner Frank Shiavonne on a head’s-up pass from Brock Bradford and sliding the puck behind netminder Curtis Darling. He also had beaten the clock, as there were just six seconds left in the first overtime session.
It capped off an incredible game for the Colorado Avalanche draft pick, who picked up a hat trick and three assists to give him 55 points in 27 contests.
“It was just great, an amazing game… We just got some good puck luck and some bounces that helped put us in the right position,” Jones said.
The 19 year old sniper, who has shot up the BCHL’s scoring charts in recent weeks to second overall, considered himself fortunate to convert Bradford’s set-up, having exited the penalty box just 30 seconds earlier.
“I came out and we had a face-off in our end. Brock just chipped it up and I was one-on-one, broke past him and deked out the goalie.”
The usually potent Chief powerplay was barely warm Wednesday, failing to convert on a four-on-three, while Coquitlam mustered up a strong extra-man effort, cashing in five times.
How the Express got back into the game proved key, but that they earlier had blown a 4-2 lead was equally as telling. Jones’ linemate Bryan Leitch got the scoring started with a powerplay marker just 1:23 into the game, but Chilliwack tied it before the period ended.
Jones put the Express back in front, converting an extra-man chance, but the Chiefs replied quickly. However, penalty problems turned the tide when Chilliwack was tagged with three minors in a span of two minutes. Making the most of it was Brandon Yip, who pocketed a pair midway through the game to prop the Express to a 4-2 lead.
The home team rode it out with two goals of their own, then surged ahead with two more to start the third period. Cue the comeback, as Jones, again on the powerplay, and newcomer Ev Papadatos, with his second tally in just three games, forced overtime.
“The powerplay was just huge. It just seemed like everytime we got out there we were able to score,” Jones noted.
The win improved Coquitlam’s record to 15-12-0, nine points back of Mainland Division leading Chilliwack. Their next two tests are on the road, with visits this weekend to Nanaimo and Powell River.
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