When it mattered the most, the Prince George Spruce Kings received the timely goal support to outlast the Coquitlam Express and take a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven Mainland Division semi-final series.
With the score knotted up at 2-2 late in the second period, Nic Poisson broke the deadlock propelling the visitors to a 5-2 win on Monday from the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre in front of 571 fans.
Layton Ahac added an insurance marker early in the third for Prince George ripping a point shot past Express goaltender Kolby Matthews to extend the advantage to a pair of goals.
Prince George would put the finishing touches on the solid road effort as Liam Watson-Brawn flipped a clearing attempt down main street where it had enough steam to roll into the empty net.
The Spruce Kings, who have won 15 of their last 16 games, never trailed in the game but were tied on two different occasions with Chong Min Lee scoring in the opening period, while Poisson potted his first of a pair at 7:02 of the second period.
Dallas Farrell and Alex DiPaolo replied for the Express in defeat who were outshot 34-32.
Logan Neaton made 30 saves for the victory.
The 19-year-old from Brighton, Michigan has a 1.51 GAA and a .940 save percentage.
Ben Poisson and Lucas Vanroboys both chipped with a pair of assists.
Prince George, Vernon, Powell River, and Langley were the winners on Monday night as the Chevrolet #BCHLPlayoffs roll along.
Check out the highlights from around the league in another exciting edition of #BCHLin60! pic.twitter.com/aBsnH5O9uS
— BC Hockey League (@GoBCHL) March 5, 2019
The Langley Rivermen also lead their best-of-seven semi against the Chilliwack Chiefs 3-0 after a dominant 5-0 win on Monday, which saw Marc Gallant score four times.
Gallant has seven goals in the first three games of the series after scoring just 10 in 56 regular season games.
Langley outshot Chilliwack 41-19 overall.
Game four for both matchups goes tonight (Tuesday) in Coquitlam and Langley.
Coquitlam-Prince George schedule: (Spruce Kings home games in bold)
Game 1 – Friday March 1st – Coquitlam @ Prince George – SK WON 3-1
Game 2 – Saturday March 2nd – Coquitlam @ Prince George – SK WON 3-2 (OT)
Game 3 – Monday March 4th – Prince George @ Coquitlam – SK WON 5-2
Game 4 – Tuesday March 5th – Prince George @ Coquitlam – 7:15
Game 5 – Thursday March 7th – Coquitlam @ Prince George – 7 PM (If Necessary)
Game 6 – Saturday March 9th – Prince George @ Coquitlam – 3 PM (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Monday March 11th – Coquitlam @ Prince George – 7 PM (If Necessary)
After Monday’s action, two teams have been pushed to the brink in the Chevrolet #BCHLPlayoffs. Langley goes up 3-0 on Chilliwack, and Prince George takes a 3-0 lead on Coquitlam. pic.twitter.com/Y2EQMmBt9Z
— BC Hockey League (@GoBCHL) March 5, 2019
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