Massimo Rizzo scored his first hat trick of his BC Hockey League career to lead the Coquitlam Express to a 6-1 win over the Surrey Eagles, Friday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
The victory extended Coquitlam’s win streak on home ice to 14 games and the team increased its lead over the Penticton Vees atop the league standings to three points. The Express has played one less game.
After spotting the visiting Eagles a 1-0 lead 13 minutes into the first period, Coquitlam tied in 3:31 later then added three goals in the second period and two more in the third. Ethan O’Rourke, Greg Lapointe and Joshua Wildauer scored the other goals for the Express, which outshot Surrey 42-24. Jack Watson earned his fourth victory in six games in Coquitlam’s net.
The game was the fourth meeting between the Mainland division rivals this season, and that familiarity erupted in the third period with several fights. Six players were ejected, along with Eagles’ coach Cam Keith who was infuriated about an apparent missed call. Two more players were also assessed misconducts.
The foes won’t have much time to cool off; they play again Sunday at 3 p.m. at Poirier.
