The Express had a chance to bury Victoria in the first period. The Express came out skating, hitting and the result of their hard work helped draw 4 first period powerplays. That included a 5 on 3 for 44 seconds and the Express couldn't score on any of them.
Then in the final minute Victoria got one powerplay and scored on it with 3 seconds left in the period when Sean Robertson tipped a shot in front of Luke Hernandez to give Victoria the lead after 20 minutes despite being outshot 10-5.
Coquitlam didn't allow the late first period goal to Robertson deflate them to start the second as the Express continued to press.
The Express took the lead on goals by Destry Straight on the power play and Brad Reid at even strength before the period was 5 minutes old. The goals for Reid and Straight were just their second goals in their last 15 games.
Cole Gorchynski was the difference preventing from the Express extending their lead. His strong play was keeping Victoria in the game.
Victoria tied the game when Kyle Aschim's point shot got past Steve Axford's block attempt and Luke Hernandez at 12:29.
Then Victoria got another late powerplay goal as Joel Lowry picked out the puck in a scramble and put it over Hernandez to give Victoria another lead heading to the room.
In the third the Grizzlies iced the game on goals by Madison Dias and Pierce Eviston.
Special teams played a vital role in the outcome as the Express power play continued it's struggles going 1 for 7. The Grizzlies were efficient on their few powerplay opportunities scoring twice on their three chances.
The Express powerplay which was once the bread and butter of the Express attack has gone stale.
It's now just 2 for 30 in the last 5 games and 7 for 70 in the last 15.
The Express do still hold the 7th and final playoff spot by the smallest of margins maintaining a 1 point lead on Cowichan Valley after they lost 1-0 to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
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