Despite two straight losses to begin February, the Coquitlam Express managed a gutsy 4-3 win over the visiting Victoria Grizzlies Saturday night to remain deadlocked with the Cowichan Valley Capitals for seventh in the conference.
Victoria led 2-1 after 20 minutes despite the fact Coquitlam's Cole Gelley opened the scoring 1:35 into the first. Joel Lowry and Mitch Labreche replied in short order to give the Grizz the lead.
Riley McIntosh and Gelley scored in the second to give the Express the lead back but Lowry's second of the game tied it heading into the third.
Massimo Lamacchia netted the winner midway through the third. Khaleed Devji assisted on the third Coquitlam goal and made 26 saves to earn first star.
The Cowichan Valley Capitals kept pace with the Express with a 4-3 win on the road in Merritt. With the score 1-1 after one, the Caps' offence clicked three times in the second, including the second of the game from Jordan Grant. Merritt's Reece Willcox scored early in the third by the Cents could't find the equalizer.
Salmon Arm SilverBacks' Mike Hammond retook the BCHL scoring lead in a 9-2 home win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Hammond scored one of eight straight 'Backs goals to begin the game. The 'Dogs didn't score until former Gorilla Mike Puddifant's tally late in the second. Brett Knowles had a hat trick for the 'Backs.
First star Kyle Kramer's unassisted goal in double overtime gave the Nanaimo Clippers a 4-3 win over the Quesnel Millionaires. Andrew Gladiuk scored his first of two to open scoring and after the team's exchanged two goals each in the second, Mills' Bradley Buckingham forced OT where Kramer's goal clinched it.
The Vernon Vipers outshot visiting Penticton 43-15 but just edged the Vees 3-2. Vernon's Adam Thompson and Patrick McGillis scored in the first and Penticton scored twice in the second on unassisted goals by Logan Jonhnston and Grant Nicholson but Bryce Kakoske's power play tally was the winner for the Snakes.
The Westside Warriors pelted Trail Smoke Eaters goalie Kiefer Smiley with 53 shots and earned a 5-4 overtime win at home. Westside opened the scoring on Matthew Maher's goal and had 31 shots after two but trailed 2-1 as Cullen Bradshaw and Travis St. Denis, with his first of three on a penalty shot, scored for the Smokies. St. Denis completed his natural hat trick in the third but Westside scored three times as well allowing Max French to pot the double-OT winner.
A goal and an assist from defenceman Justin Dasilva helped the Powell River Kings to a 2-1 road win over the Langley Chiefs. After a scoreless first, the Kings led 2-0 after two and Trevor Gerling got the lone Chiefs goal on a power play in the third.
