EXPRESS PICK UP 1ST WIN

Coach Jon Calvano and rookie goaltender Khlaeed Devji each picked up their first BCHL wins as the Express knocked off the Cowichan Valley Capitals 5-3 Saturday night.

Jordan Grant for the Caps and Alex Petan for the Express traded 1st period power play goals and the teams were even at 1 through 20 minutes.

Massimo Lamacchia scored for the 2nd straight night with a point shot that hit the stick of a Caps player and handcuffed Alex Peck to give the Express a 2-1 lead.

The lead didn't last long as just over 3 minutes later Troy Paterson wired a slap shot through Devji to tie the game.

The Express red hot powerplay struck again in the third period to restore the lead. Riley McIntosh scored his first goal on a cheeky little play. He fired a feathery soft point shot that got past a screened Alex Peck. The screen was just as crafty as the shot as Jason Grecica was screening the goaltender and got out of the way just in the knick of time to avoid getting hit by the shot. The Caps goaltender had no clue where that puck was.

The goal for Mcintosh was his first in 139 games regular season and playoffs. (138 WHL/1 BCHL) dating back to November 30 2007 when he was a member of the Kelowna Rockets.

Then just 17 seconds later Destry Straight scored what would turn out to be the game winner as Garrick Perry led him with a pass and he cut to the net and beat Peck with a great shot beating him top shelf short side for his first BCHL goal.

The Caps had a chance to pull back within one when Matt Hutchinson was called for hooking at 12:09. The Express came up with a clutch kill to keep the lead at two. In fact it was the first penalty killed off in 4 shorthanded situations this season for the Express.

Shawn Mueller did pull Cowichan within one sliding the puck under Devji on a one timer at 17:43.

Cowichan pressed hard in the final 2:17, but the Express didn't break under the pressure and Brad Reid sealed the win with an empty net goal at 19:51 for his 3rd goal in this young season.

Devji stopped 28 of the 31 shots sent his way. This following a strong relief performance 24 hours earlier in Victoria.

Shots:

Coquitlam 24

Cowichan 31

3 stars:

3-Austin Evans - 1 assist in a losing cause.

2-Khaleed Devji - 28 saves for first BCHL win.

1-Garrick Perry - Assisted on Straight's game winning goal, and Reid insurance marker into the empty net.

Up next, the Express stay on the road for games next weekend in Quesnel and Prince George.