Coquitlam Express forward Jackson Cressey scored a power play goal to break a 1-1 tie late in the second period and the Express held on to edge the Prince George Spruce Kings 2-1 Saturday night at the Coliseum.
With one minute left in the frame, Cressey slid the puck underneath Kings goaltender Liam McCloskey who was under pressure during an Express man advantage and lying on his back across crease to try and thwart Coquitlam. The goal was scored with 49 seconds left on Kings forward Jarod Hovde's two-minute roughing minor.
Cressey is Coquitlam's top goal scorer, having tallied 11 goals and adding 14 assists in 17 games so far this season in the B.C. Hockey League.
Prince George continued to attack in the third period, but despite numerous chances, and outshooting the Express 13-6, couldn't bury the puck past Coquitlam netminder Lawson Fenton.
McCloskey was pulled with 49.5 seconds left in the game in favour of an extra attacker but time ran out.
Cressey's goal was the second point of the night for the 19-year-old forward who chipped in an assist on Austin McIlmurray's goal that opened the scoring at the 8:27 mark of the first period.
Prince George answered at the 10:36 mark of the second period when Corey Hoffman notched his team-leading sixth goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1.
The Express outshot the Kings 38-34 as Fenton earned his third win of the season to help Coquitlam improve to 7-7-1-2 and 16 points.
The Kings, who beat Coquitlam 3-2 Friday, are now 4-11-0-1 and remain in fifth place in the Mainland Division.
Prince George's home stand continues on Oct. 29 and 30 when the team host the Wenatchee Wild.
