The Coquitlam HC 17U AAA squad put on an offensive clinic, cruising to a decisive 7-2 victory over Kootenay HA in a game that featured plenty of firepower and physical play. Coquitlam set the tone early, with Seajay Loreti opening the scoring just over a minute into the contest. Josiah Lacerte quickly followed up to double the lead, but Kootenay’s Xavier Barrett answered back to keep things interesting. Theron Lashley restored the two-goal cushion late in the period, sending Coquitlam into the first intermission with a 3-1 lead and all the momentum.
The middle frame saw Coquitlam continue their relentless attack. Jonas Rousselle gave Kootenay a brief spark with a goal early in the second, but Damien Nikal responded for Coquitlam to keep the pressure on. Nikal then turned playmaker, setting up Loreti for his second goal of the game, giving Coquitlam a commanding 5-2 lead after two periods. The home team’s offensive depth was on full display as they outshot Kootenay and capitalized on their chances with precision.
The third period saw Coquitlam put the game completely out of reach. Nikal netted his second of the game, assisted by Ethan Caputo, and Caputo later found the back of the net himself to cap the scoring. The game grew increasingly chippy as it progressed, with Kootenay's Nixon McDonald receiving a match penalty and game misconduct for a check from behind in the final minutes. Coquitlam’s Cristiano Pelegrin-Hicks was solid in net, turning aside all 29 shots he faced for the win, while his team’s balanced scoring attack and disciplined structure proved too much for Kootenay to handle in this lopsided contest.