A penalty late in regulation saw the Kings down a man for a full five minutes through the remainder of 60 minutes and into overtime as the Coquitlam Express swept the season series against the Kings with a dramatic 6-5 win in overtime at the Hap Parker Arena on Saturday night.
After two 6-3 victories over the Kings this season, Coquitlam came into Powell River full of confidence, however it was the Kings to take the game to the visitors early. Powell River created offensive chance after offensive chance with Christian Buono, Ethan Schmunk and Levi Glasman creating breakaway opportunities, Mitch Williams, Ethan Kimball and Josh Coblenz to be denied on grade A scoring opportunities in front and around the net. It all amounted for nothing except the first Coquitlam goal as former King Josh Bruce sprung Drew Cooper out of the penalty box for a breakaway and a 1-0 Coquitlam lead through 20.
The Express would double the lead inside the opening minute of the 2nd period on the powerplay before the Kings got on the board through a pair from Christian Buono, his 12th and 13th of the year for a 2-2 score. Coquitlam retook the lead midway through the period, again on the powerplay before Levi Glasman cashed in for his 21st of the year and the score was tied at 3 after 40 minutes with shots narrowly favouring Powell River.
Coquitlam again got the early lead in the third period, this time through Pito Walton but again it coming on the powerplay. Nolan Krogfoss kept the Kings in touch as Mitch Williams chance in tight was buried by Krogfoss for his 2nd in the BCHL. Jack Cameron gave the visitors their 4th lead of the game, but the Kings reeled it back a few minutes later through Josh Coblenz on the powerplay and the game was again tied, this time at 5.
Then with just over a minute left in the game, Neal Samanski got tied up on a back check with Regan Kimens, knocking him to the ice and delivering a cross check that saw him ejected from the game and a 5 minute major penalty. The penalty carried over into over time where the Express scored 4-on-3 through Chase Danol, his 22nd stood as the game winner for a 6-5 Express victory.
The Express become just the second team, behind the Penticton Vees that the Kings have failed to win a game against this season, sweeping the season series 3-0 with wins in Coquitlam and at the showcase in Chilliwack. Brock Sawyer joined Alex Rawnsley on the post game show.
The Kings are back in action Sunday afternoon, hosting the Victoria Grizzlies for a fundraiser for former Powell River Paper Kings captain Mike Warriner, who lost his battle with cancer mid week and who’s family faces enormous medical bills in the United States as a result of his treatment. Puck drop is at 2:00pm, with a by-donation tail gate party beginning at 12:30.
