In a back-and-forth Junior Prospects Hockey League battle, the Island HC escaped with a narrow 5-4 victory over Coquitlam HC in a game defined by special teams and a late-game dagger. The action started early with Coquitlam’s Sora Kodama opening the scoring on the power play late in the first period, assisted by Yujun Lee and Emerson Papadatos. But Island HC responded with authority in the second, netting three straight goals. Wade Sangara tied the game early in the frame, followed by Reef Santos Cegnar and a power-play marker from Liam McNaughton, with Santos Cegnar and Maverik Gornall picking up helpers. Coquitlam showed resilience, however, as Yujun Lee and Talon Anderson scored to pull the game back to a 3-3 tie heading into the final period.
The third period was a rollercoaster. Island’s Reef Santos Cegnar netted his second of the game to regain the lead, but Coquitlam’s power play struck again, with Sora Kodama burying his second of the contest to tie the game at 4-4, once more set up by the effective duo of Yujun Lee and Emerson Papadatos. Just when it looked like the game might be headed for overtime, Island HC’s Wade Sangara delivered the heartbreaker, scoring the game-winning goal with just over two minutes remaining, assisted by Santos Cegnar and Liam Rosse, to seal the dramatic 5-4 win.
The penalty sheet was a busy one, with both teams combining for ten infractions. Coquitlam’s Sora Kodama and Island’s Maverik Gornall each took two minors, with Gornall’s two roughing penalties in the third period putting his team under pressure. In a game where offensive firepower ruled the day, Island HC’s Eston Clement and Coquitlam’s Elijah Baxter faced a barrage of shots, with both goalies making 29 saves on 49 shots in a true goaltending duel where the final bounce made all the difference.
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