EXPRESS AND EAGLES BURN OUT THE GOAL LIGHTS

There will be new goal lights required before the Express next home game vs. Prince George after they won a goal filled affair with the Surrey Eagles 9-6.

The Express exploded out of the gates. Joey Santucci had what would turn out to be a memorable sequence for the 19 year old forward who got his night started by opening the scoring at 3:16 snapping home a pass from behind the net.

48 seconds later Canon Pieper was hauled down and awarded a penalty shot. He made no mistake beating Devon Fordyce with a deke to the forehand.

Then the Santucci show resumed. He scored his second of the period just 24 seconds later to make it 3-0. Then 9 seconds after that Santucci capped off his hat-trick to give the Express a 4-0 lead.

At the end of it the Express had scored 4 times in a span of 1:21 with Santucci scoring 3 of his goals in the same 1:21 span. I don't have any official records, but it may have been the fastest hat-trick recorded by an Express player in franchise history.

Up 4 less than 5 minutes into the game, the Express appeared to be in cruise control.

Before the period was done the Eagles brought the Express back down to earth somewhat.

Braeden Russell got the Eagles on the board just 1:19 after Santucci's 3rd of the night.

Then the Eagles pulled within one on goals by Joseph Drapluk and Russell's second of the game 1:35 apart late in the period and it was 4-3 after 20.

Surrey completed their come back just over two minutes into the second period as Russell completed his hat-trick swatting home a loose puck at the side of the Express net.

Then the Express went back on the attack.

Adam Rockwood re-stored the Express lead powering the puck to the net and sliding it home for his 7th of the season and 3rd goal in his last 4 games.

1:25 later Marc Biega broke out on a 2 on 1 with Joey Santucci, and the defenceman decided to keep the puck instead of trying to set up Santucci for his 4th of the game. It turned out to be the right decision as Biega snapped it past Fordyce.

Then on the power play Ryan Rosenthal from the high slot re-directed a Marc Biega point shot to put the Express up 7-4.

These teams were filling the net after two periods. Why stop in the third?

Nathan Renouf picked his his 4th point of the night scoring at the side of the net to go with his 3 assists at 1:40.

Jackson Cressy responded for the Express 2:20 later banging home the rebound of a Jace Hennig shot.

The teams finally settled down and took a 14 minute break from scoring goals until Canon Pieper scored his second of the game into an empty night while the Express were shorthanded. It's their 10th shorthanded goal this season. Canon now his 3 of them. And the Express as a team have now scored 4 of their shorthanded goals vs. the Surrey Eagles this season.

Nic Pierog scored a powerplay goal with 25 seconds left in the third period. Then finally the clock had run out on this high scoring affair to put an end to a wild night.

With the win the Express re-store a 3 point lead on Surrey for 3rd place in the Mainland division. They will now begin to use up their 3 games in hand on the Eagles with a trip to the Island for games in Alberni Valley Saturday and Nanaimo Sunday. 

EAGLES TAKE FIRST OF HOME AND HOME

Wednesday night we learned that a lot can happen in a span of 12 seconds. That's how quickly Surrey scored two goals in the opening minute of the third period en route to a 7-5 win in the first of a home and home series.

Those goals would open up a 4 goal Surrey lead that the Express just couldn't over come.

Coming off their two most impressive wins of the season last weekend vs. Penticton, the Express were looking to build off them in this key pair of games with their division rival.

The Eagles got the jump on the Express just over 5 minutes into the game as Nathan Renouf scored on a set up from his twin brother Jonah off a won face-off in the Express zone.

5 minutes later the Express pulled even as Corey Mackin showed some great hands coming out of the corner then cutting in front of the net and slid the puck past Devon Fordyce.

Late in the period the Eagles re-stored their lead just after an Express power play had expired.

Brian Drapluk came out of the penalty box and bumped Adam Rockwood off the puck inside the Eagles blue line which set up a 2 on 1 the other way and Danton Heinen set up Brian's twin brother Joseph who snapped the puck past Gordie Defiel.

Just 1:38 later the Eagles struck again. This time it was the Renouf brothers at it again along with line mate Braeden Russell who teamed up deep in the Express zone and set up Jonah who scored give the Eagles a 3-1 lead after 1 period.

Adam Rockwood cut the Eagles lead back down to one when he took a pass at a tough angle in front of the Eagles net and managed to find a way to flip the puck over Fordyce.

Again the Eagles had a response, late in the second period Danton Heinen and Cameron Marks raced after the puck in the Express zone. Heinen was hauled down and awarded a penalty shot. On the free pass, Heinen shaded to his right and snapped a shot low to the stick side past Defiel with just 1:41 remaining in the second period.

The opening 32 seconds of the third period was a moment in time the Express would like to forget.

First they coughed up the puck inside the blue line and it quickly resulted in Joseph Drapluk's second of the game. Then 12 seconds later Nathan Renouf scored his second of the game to quickly open up a 6-2 Surrey lead.

At this point a come back was looking like a daunting task for the Express.

Daniel Lange cut the lead back down to 3 at 8:53.

Then on the power play Ryan Rosenthal powered the puck to the net and scored his 16th of the season pulling back into a tie for the team lead in goals with Corey Mackin.

Then Zach Hodder scored the third Express goal in just over 5 minutes off the rush and suddenly it was back to a one goal game with just over 6 to go.

That would be as close as the Express would come as Heinen capped off his 4 point night by scoring his second of the game into an empty net with 30 seconds to go to secure the Eagles win.

The win pulled Surrey within one point of the Express for third place in the Mainland division standings. But the Express still have three games in hand on Surrey. The second of the home and home will go Friday night in Coquitlam.

ROSENTHAL COMMITS TO NORTHEASTERN

Coquitlam Express captain Ryan Rosenthal has committed to Northeastern University for the fall of 2014.

The Montvale New Jersey native is currently tied for the team lead in goals with 15 and is 2nd in team scoring with 29 points this season. His 3 shorthanded goals are currently tied for the BCHL lead with Surrey's Nic Pierog. He was the BCHL player of the week for the week ending October 6th following a 9 point (3G, 6A) weekend in 3 games.

Rosenthal came to the Express this season after attending the University of Vermont last season where he dressed for 6 games registering 2 points.

This is the second scholarship secured for an Express player this season after forward Cody Boyd committed to Army recently.

The Express now have 6 players on their roster with NCAA commitments. 

DEFIEL PLAYER OF THR WEEK

Coquitlam Express goalie Gordie Defiel has been named the BCHL Player of the Week for the week ending Nov. 23, the league announced Monday.

Defiel backed the Express to a pair of wins in a home-and-home set against the Penticton Vees.

The native of Stillwater, Minn. turned aside all but one shot both nights in posting a 0.95 goals-against average and a .963 save percentage.

The 6-foot, 181-pound 20-year-old was named 1st Star in a 3-1 win on home ice before making 28 saves a 2-1 double-overtime victory in Penticton.

Honourable mentions this week:

Langley Rivermen G Brock Crossthwaite - 2W, SO 2nd Star, 3rd Star, .969 sv%, 0.98 GAA

Langley Rivermen F Gage Torrel - 1G, 3A, 1st Star, OT GWG

Coquitlam Express F Bo Pieper - 1G, 2A, 1st Star, OT GWG

Prince George Spruce Kings F Chad Staley - 2G, 3A, 1st Star, two GWGs

West Kelowna Warriors G Andy Desautels - W, T, two 2nd Stars, .940 sv%, 1.89 GAA

Powell River Kings F Jarid Lukosevicius - 2G, 1A, two 1st Star, GWG

EXPRESS SWEEP HOME AND HOME WITH VEES

4 points up for grabs, and 4 points grabbed by the Coquitlam Express in their home and home series with the Penticton Vees.

The Express took the opener in Coquitlam Friday 3-1. Then took the return engagement in the South Okanagan Events Centre 2-1 in overtime Saturday.

John Saunders scored the only goal of the first period as his point shot got past Hunter Miska.

Miska came up with a great save in the first period turning aside a backhand re-direction by Ryan Rosenthal who was set up by Adam Rockwood.

The Express structure all night long never really allowed the Vees to generate many quality scoring chances in the two games this weekend.

Penticton had an edge in play in the second period outshooting the Express 12-3. Goaltender Gordie Defiel was having a strong game in the Express crease for a second night in a row. Plus he had a lot of help from his team in front of him clearing pucks away from danger.

Still holding on to the 1-0 lead going into the third period, the Express knew the Vees would come with a push looking for the equalizer. Their best chance early in the period came when Travis Blanliel was set up on a feed but Defiel came to his left and got his pad down for his second best save of the night.

The Vees finally tied it when former Express AP Anthony Conti deflected a point shot past Defiel with just over 4 minutes to go.

Nothing was decided after 60 minutes and the Express had collected 3 out of a possible 4 points vs. the Vees this weekend.

The game was still looking for a hero after 65 minutes of hockey.

In the second overtime the Vees had their chances to win it.

First Cody DePourcq found himself all alone in front of Defiel with all kinds of time. The diminutive forward skated across the crease and tried to roof the puck over the sprawled out Express netminder. But Defiel stayed with him and in pure desperation made a spectacular save stacking the pads.

Seconds later the Vees fired the puck towards the net from the point, it changed directions and found a way to trickle past Defiel. But the goal was immediately waved off when it was ruled Defiel was contacted in the crease.

Those would be the Vees best chances to win the game and they wouldn't get another.

With the puck at the Express blueline they were able to poke it free giving Bo Pieper a breakaway. He busted his tail to the Vee net and unleashed a shot only Bo Pieper can with a rocket over the glove of Hunter Miska giving the Express the dramatic overtime win.

Leading up to the games this weekend vs. the Vees, the Express had spent a lot of time working on their defensive part of the game. After the results this weekend and how they earned them, it should go a long way in the development of that aspect of the Express game this season.

Next week will be a busy one for the Express with four games in 5 nights. They have a home and home with the Surrey Eagles starting Wednesday in Surrey. Then after the return match Friday in Coquitlam, the Express are off to the island for games in Port Alberni and Nanaimo.

COQUITLAM COMETS INTERVIEWS

During the first and second intermissions last night I had a chance to speak with two former Coqutilam Comets who were in attendance.

In the first I spoke with the original owner of the Comets and guest of honor last night Sandy Michie.

In the second intermission I spoke with former Comets player Don Taylor.

COMETS SHINE IN WIN OVER THE VEES

It was a night to remember with the honoring of the original junior hockey team in Coquitlam the Comets. They were a Junior B team from the 60's through the 70's. Then played one season in the BCHL in 1980-81.

On this night it was made even more memorable after the best performance of the season in a 3-1 win over the Penticton Vees.

Wearing the same beautiful red jerseys the Comets wore 30 plus years ago, the home team knew they needed to play a strong game for the full 60 minutes in order to come away victorious.

That's exactly what they did on this night.

Penticton opened the scoring when Brendan Lamont from the corner put a pass on the tape of Cody DePourcq who re-directed the pass between the pads of Gordie Defiel.

6 minutes into the second period the Comets tied it. Adam Rockwood won the face-off in the Vees zone, Marc Biega teed up a one timer for Zach Hodder whose shot went wide but the rebound off the end boards bounced to Adam Rockwood who scored his 5th goal of the season and 1st on home ice this season.

Through 40 minutes the Comets were playing a strong team game and put themselves in a position to win it in the third.

They opened the final frame killing off a penalty to defenceman Matthew Berry-Lamontagna.

Then moments later on the power play the Comets took their first lead when captain Ryan Rosenthal scored from a shot from the left circle that got past Oliveir Mantha. That goal would be the catalyst for a strong final period for the captain. He had a number of other quality scoring chances to put the game away. He finally did in the final minute of the third period scoring into an empty net.

The Comets needed a strong defensive game all night in order to come away with the win. That's exactly what they did. They were ready to play right from the start. They allowed very few quality scoring chances for the Vees. Gordie Defiel was very steady in the Express crease turning aside 24 of 25 Vees shots for the win. This is a win that could help this team going forward. They did plenty of good things all night they could learn from that could help this team going forward when it comes to finding a way to win on a consistent basis like it did early in the season.

The re-match goes Saturday night in Penticton at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

There were plenty of Comets alumni in attendance. And it was great to see the players of today make the players of yesteryear feel proud with such a strong game.

EXPRESS HAVE BETTER EFFORT BUT STILL FALL TO VICTORIA

The Coquitlam Express were better Sunday afternoon vs. Victoria than they were the night before in Chilliwack. But still found themselves on the losing end falling 4-3 to the Grizzlies.

Former Express Garrett Forster had an afternoon to remember with two goals and an assist against his former mates.

Forster had a hand in opening the scoring as he slid a pass to Joel Gaudet who re-directed it past Gordie Defiel at 2:51.

Ryan Rosenthal had the best chance for the Express to tie it as he poked the puck past Victoria net minder Alec Dillon and had a wide open net but missed.

Marc Biega pulled the Express even with 3 minutes left in the third period as he blasted home a rolling puck from the circle for his 3rd goal in his last 4 games.

Victoria opened the second period with 4 minutes of power play time as Nic Rasovic was assessed a double minor penalty for high sticking Garrett Forster.

On that power play the former Express continued his big afternoon as he scored with a wrist shot through the legs of Defiel just 46 seconds in.

The Express began to really take control of the game as the second period carried on. At the same time Grizzlies net minder Alec Dillion also began to become a factor. He turned aside 12 of the 13 second period shots sent his way. The only puck to get past him was a pass by Canon Pieper intended for his brother Bo but it hit the leg of a Victoria defender and went in.

Like the second period, the third saw Victoria open the period on the power play. Again it was Forster making the Express pay as a shot from the point bounced to him on the left wing and he snapped it home 55 seconds into the third for his second of the game. Victoria finished 2 for 7 on the power play while killing off both Express advantages.

Jay Mackie gave Victoria some insurance with less than 8 minutes to go as he took a pass from behind the net from Myles Fitzgerald and snapped it through the legs of Defiel.

Corey Mackin made things interesting pulling the Express within one with just over 2 minutes to go, but Victoria would hold on to post their 4th straight win and complete a 3 game sweep of a Mainland division road trip.

The Express went 1-2 in their three games this weekend. Up next is a home and home with the Penticton Vees next weekend.

TOUGH VISIT TO FRASER VALLEY FOR EXPRESS

The Chilliwack Chiefs posted their second consecutive win over the Coquitlam Express. This time doing it in convincing fashion 6-1 at the Prospera Centre Saturday night.

The loss snapped the brief two game winning streak for the Express.

Chilliwack took a 2-0 lead into the dressing room after 20 minutes. They tallied both goals in similar fashion with a shot from the right point and traffic in front of goaltender Pierce Dushenko creating havoc for the Express rookie net minder. The Chiefs first goal came off the stick of Eric Roberts whose screened shot got through Dushenko. Mathieu Tibbet made a 2-0 game when banged home the rebound of a deflected point shot that handcuffed Dushenko.

Carter Cochrane led the way offensively for the Chiefs with a 4 point night thanks to 1 goal and 3 assists. He extended the Chiefs lead to three on the power play off the rush snapping a shot past Dushenko from the right wing.

Joey Santucci tallied the lone goal for the Express from the slot sliding a shot through the legs of Spencer Trembly.

Chiefs captain Austin Plevy scored the second power play goal of the game for Chilliwack as he cut to the net from the left side cut around Dushenko and slid the puck home following a turnover at the Express blue line. Plevy had a 3 point night for the Chiefs with 1 goal and 2 assists.

Late in the second period another mistake by the Express at the offensive blue line quickly turned into a breakaway for Kyle Westerlingh who made no mistake firing a shot over Dushenko's glove.

Westerlingh was credited with his second of the game in the third period as he got a stick on a Carter Cochrane shot that changed directions and slid home.

Spencer Trembly posted his first win in Chilliwack colors in his second game turning aside 44 of 45 Express shots.

The Chiefs also had the edge in special teams going 2 for 7 on the power play while killing off all 6 Express advantages.

The Express need short memories of what happened Saturday night as they host the Victoria Grizzlies Sunday afternoon at 2pm. 

EXPRESS FLOOD RIVERMEN EARLY EN ROUTE TO 2ND STRAIGHT WIN

The Coquitlam Express scored 4 first period goals to set them on the right path to a  6-3 win over the Mainland division leading Langley Rivermen.

The win was the second straight for the Express as they posted consecutive wins on home ice for the first time this season.

After a strong opening few shifts for Langley to start the game, the Express began to turn it in their favour while a man down.

Captain Ryan Rosenthal had a shorthanded breakaway and fired a shot high over the net as he tried to beat Steve Myland to the glove side. Moments later he got a chance at redemption and this time made no mistake beating Myland with a deke to the backhand for a BCHL leading 9th shorthanded goal for the Express this season. It was the third shorthanded goal for the captain this season.

Here's a real unique stat. While shorthanded this season, the Express are just a -4 in the goals for and goals against differential. Their penalty killing which improved to 1st in the BCHL tonight with a 3 for 3 performance has allowed 13 power play goals this season while scoring 9 shorthanded goals.

The offence kept rolling for the Express. Off a won face-off in the Langley zone Joey Santucci scored to give the Express a 2-0 lead at the 6:10 mark.

55 seconds later it was 3-0 Express thanks to a power play goal by Marc Biega. His second goal in as many outings. The goal brought Steve Myland's night to an end early after allowing 3 goals in 6 shots and getting replaced by Brock Crossthwaite.

Austin Azurdia cut the Express lead back down to two sliding the puck past Gordie Defiel following a turnover in the Express zone.

The lead was quickly back to 3 as the Express responded when Canon Pieper scored less than 4 minutes later. A quick response would turn out to be a theme for the Express on this night.

Another theme for the Express recently has been their fast starts which has seen them outscore their opposition 7-1 in the first period in the last two games.

Gage Torrel cut the Express lead down to 4-2 just over 5 minutes into the second period. Again the Express had a quick response as Mackin put the Express up by 3 for a third time in this game snapping a shot past the glove of Brock Crossthwaite.

Canon Pieper added his second of the game just over 2 minutes later to put the Express up 6-2.

This game did have some rough stuff. Ben Isreal was assessed a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for a hit on former Express Will Cook that left him down on the ice for a few minutes and he did not return.

The 5 minute power play was another chance for the Rivermen to try and claw back in it, but the Express penalty killers got the job done. The Express have now killed of 18 of their last 19 shorthanded situations.

Jackson Waniek rounded out the scoring with his first BCHL goal less than two minutes into the third period.

The Express got some balanced scoring from their top guns. Ryan Rosenthal and Canon Pieper led the way each with 3 point nights. And 8 different players registered at least one point.

Gordie Defiel turned aside 33 of the 36 Rivermen shots sent his way as he posted his first win since October 12th in Merritt.

The Express are right back to work Saturday night with a visit to Chilliwack.

SMITH TRADED TO ICE DOGS

The Coquitlam Express have traded forward Adam Smith to the Dryden Ice Dogs (SIJHL) in exchange for future considerations.

The 19 year old Nanaimo native played 16 games with the Express scoring 1 goal and accumulating 53 penalty minutes which led the Express and at the time of the trade was 3rd most in the BCHL.

Smith had stints last season with Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo, Salmon Arm in the BCHL and Spokane in the WHL. 

EAGLES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights from last week's 4-3 Express win over Surrey.



Highlights courtesy of Jorge Barra and Underdog Productions.

EXPRESS BACK IN WIN COLUMN DROPPING EAGLES

The Coquitlam Express snapped their 5 game losing streak and picked up just their 2nd win on home ice by dropping the Surrey Eagles 4-3 Wednesday night.

It hasn't been the best of times for the Express in recent weeks trying to re-establish their winning formula from earlier in the season.

In the first period the Express set the tempo for the game at 5 on 5 and on both sides of the special teams battle.

It started with the Express killing off two Surrey power plays in the first 10 minutes. Then the power play which hasn't lit the world on fire began to heat up. Bo Pieper banged home the rebound of an Ben Israel point shot with just 3 seconds left in the first power play of the night for the Express to open the scoring.

Just under 5 minutes after Bo's goal the Express struck again as Corey Mackin poked home the rebound of a Ryan Rosenthal shot past Devon Fordyce.

This game that saw the teams separated by just a point entering the game had it's emotional moments.

Ryan Fraser-Lee was certainly involved in his fair share of some of the physical play in the first period. First he was on the receiving end of a hit by Joey Santucci in the corner that the Eagles defenceman wasn't too fond of. Then he laid out a big hit on Express forward Bo Pieper looking for retribution.

Then late in the first period he hit Jace Henning with a dangerous hit into the end boards. Fraser-Lee was assessed a 2 minute minor for checking from behind, a roughing call and a game misconduct. On the play Eagles goaltender Devon Fordyce got involved with the scrum that involved Cody Boyd and Adam Smith of the Express. As a result the Express got a power play out of it based on the involvement by Fordyce leaving the crease to join the fracas behind his net.

On the ensuing power play the Express struck again as Marc Biega's point shot got past a screened for Fordyce.

It was a perfect first period for the Express on special teams in the first period. They were 2 for 2 on the power play and 3 for 3 on the penalty kill.

The strong opening 20 minutes saw the Express come away with a 18-5 advantage in shots.

Eagles captain Brett Mulcahy cut into the Express lead by re-directing a Nathan Dawson shot past net minder Pierce Dushenko.

Dawson also had a hand in the Eagles second goal as he had another point shot tipped home this time by former Express Mitchell Fyffe.

The Express entered the final period needing to protect a 1 goal lead.

They thought they got some much needed insurance just under 6 minutes in when they appeared to have scored on a scramble. But it was ruled the puck was gloved into the net much to the disagreement by the Express.

Surrey had a strong edge in play looking for the equalizer. But getting another puck past Dushenko was proving to be difficult. He came up with a number of quality saves in the third period. Including a glove save on Danton Heinen with 6 minutes to go in the third period. The Express rookie net minder would finish with 36 saves for his 3rd win of the season.

Joey Santucci got the Express some much needed insurance with just over 4 minutes to go as a Bo Pieper shot bounced off the end boards to him at the side of the net and he poked it home.

Santucci's goal would turn out to be huge as Nic Pierog cut the Express back down to one just 1:19 later. That would be as close as the Eagles would come as Dushenko shut the door the rest of the way.

Heading into a 9 day break on a winning note is much easier to take than the alternative. The Express are back in action a week from Friday for the first of a 3 game weekend when they will play host to the Langley Rivermen.

ROCKWOOD AND RASOVIC NAMED TO TOP PROSPECTS GAME ROSTER

Coquitlam Express forward Adam Rockwood was among 5 BCHL players selected for Team West to take part in the CJHL Top Prospects games November 8th and 9th in Digby and Yarmouth Nova Scotia.

See the full press release from the CJHL below:

CALGARY, Alberta (November 5th, 2013) –The Canadian Junior Hockey League, in partnership with NHL Central Scouting and Hockey Canada, announced today the rosters for the 2013 CJHL Prospects Games in Digby and Yarmouth, NS on November 8th & 9th.

The CJHL Prospects Game was created to showcase the top NHL prospects in the CJHL. The CJHL Prospects Games feature players from the CJHL's five western leagues competing against players from the CJHL's five eastern leagues. Player selection for the annual CJHL Prospects Games is a joint initiative of the CJHL and NHL Central Scouting.

Luke Pierce of the Merritt Centennials (BCHL) will lead Team West as Head Coach. “I’m very excited to work with this group of young men this weekend,” said Pierce. “These players have a tremendous opportunity to showcase themselves and represent their region with pride. I look forward sharing this experience with them, and helping them maximize their efforts in the event.”

Team West includes five players from the British Columbia Hockey League and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, four selections from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, three players from the Alberta Junior Hockey League, and one Superior International Junior Hockey League player.

Forwards
Tanner MacMaster (Camrose/AJHL)
Tyler Busch (Spruce Grove/AJHL)
Adam Rockwood (Coquitlam/BCHL)
Jordan Ross (Yorkton/SJHL)
Nicholas Rasovic (Coquitlam/BCHL)
Kailum Gervais (Yorkton/SJHL)
Brett Boehm (Flin Flon/SJHL)
Carter Johnson (Swan Valley/MJHL)
Tyson Predinchuk (Melville/SJHL)
Daniel Del Paggio (Thunder Bay/SIJHL)
Brad Bowles (Portage/MJHL)
Mason Blacklock (Vernon/BCHL) +
Tristen Keck (Winkler/MJHL) +
Tristan Mullin (Dauphin/MJHL) +

Defence
Luke Ripley (Powell River/BCHL)
Justin Baudry (Steinbach/MJHL)
Mitch Meek (Victoria/BCHL)
Nikolas Koberstein (Olds/AJHL)
Greg Moro (Humboldt/SJHL)
Brett Beauvais (Penticton/BCHL)*
Alexandre Coulombe (Penticton/BCHL)*
Marshall Donald (Sherwood Park/AJHL) +

Goaltenders
Jeff Smith (Victoria/BCHL)
Zac Robidoux (Portage/MJHL)

+Injured and unable to compete
* Unavailable to attend

Tom McCarthy of the Espanola Rivermen (NOJHL) is excited to lead Team East and provide the players with this unique opportunity. “First I would like to thank the CJHL for the glorious privilege to be involved with all these aspiring young athletes,” said Tommy McCarthy. “Not only the privilege of including myself, but to hopefully help give some insight to these hockey players' futures. All of us chosen are truly fortunate to be a part of such an event.”

Team East includes seven players from the Central Canada Hockey League, six from the Ontario Junior Hockey League, four Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League players, two players from the Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA du Quebec, and one selection from the Maritime Hockey League.

Forwards
Francois Lemelin (Hawkesbury/CCHL)
Dylan Sikura (Aurora/OJHL)
Maxime St. Pierre (Cumberland/CCHL)
Reid Murphy (Pembroke/CCHL)
Matt Alvaro (St. Michael's/OJHL)
Joseph Berton (St. Michael's /OJHL)
Brett Seney (Kingston/OJHL)
Michael Laidley (Aurora/OJHL)
Tanner Spink (Cornwall/CCHL)
Aaron Spivak (Toronto/OJHL)
Ryan Punkari (Sudbury/NOJHL)
Cray Roberge (Espanola/NOJHL)

Defence
Brett Garvey (Brockville/CCHL)
Kris Myllari (Kanata/CCHL)
Zac Tierney (Ottawa/CCHL)
Bradley Bell (Sudbury/NOJHL)
Cavan Fitzgerald (Summerside/MHL)
Guillaume Viens (Lachine/LHJAAAQ)

Goaltenders
Joel Horodziejczyk (Soo/NOJHL)
David Richer (Vaudreuil-Dorion/LHJAAAQ)

The CJHL Prospects Event includes a two-game total goal series between Team East and Team West in a battle for the President's Cup, which is awarded annually to the winning team.

2012 - Game 1: Team West wins 5-0; Game 2: Team East wins 6-3 in Digby and Yarmouth, NS
2011 - Game 1: Team West wins 4-3; Game 2: Team West wins 4-3 (OT) in Langley, BC
2010 - Game 1: Team East wins 2-1 (SO); Game 2: Team East wins 7-1 in Dauphin, MB
2009 - Game 1: Team West wins 8 - 1; Game 2: Team East wins 2 - 0 in Winkler, MB
2008 - Team East defeated Team West 6-3 in Summerside, PEI
2007 - Team East defeated Team West 5-3 in Winkler, MB
2006 - Team West defeated Team East 6-2 in Vernon, BC
2005 - Team West defeated Team East 5-4 in Yorkton, SK

The CJHL Prospects Games will be held in conjunction with the 2013 World Junior A Challenge, which runs from November 4th – 10th, 2013 in Yarmouth, NS. CJHL Prospects Game #1 will be played on Friday, November 8th at the Digby Arena in Digby, NS at 7:00PM. On Saturday, November 9th, Game #2 will take place at the Mariners Centre in Yarmouth, NS at 4:00PM.

BULLDOGS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights courtesy of Underdog Productions.

EXPRESS TO HONOUR COQUITLAM COMETS

The Coquitlam Express Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is proud to announce that their November 22nd game against the Penticton Vees will be dedicated to local hockey builder, Mr. Sandy Michie, and the original Coquitlam Junior Hockey franchise, the Comets.

Mr. Sandy Michie was the long-time Owner and General Manager of the Comets, who were members of the Pacific Coast Junior Hockey League from 1974-1979. In 1979, the Pacific Coast League merged with the British Columbia Hockey League, where the Comets also competed until 1981.

The Express will show homage for Comets Alumni players, volunteers and Mr. Michie by donning replica Comets jerseys circa 1975. It will be a special Fan Festival Friday as fans will be able to mingle with Comets Alumni, in addition to a free pre-game BBQ and other activities kicking off at 5:30pm, courtesy of PriceSmart Foods – Pinetree Village. The Express are also offering $3 off an adult, senior (60+) or student ticket purchased at the ticket booth if you wear a hockey jersey to this game.

Express fans and Coquitlam Comets Alumni players, volunteers & friends are encouraged to contact Jordan Herbison through the Coquitlam Express Office or via e-mail at: jordan@coquitlamexpress.ca for more information.

EXPRESS CAN'T TAME BULLDOGS BITE

The Express are still in search of their 2nd win on home ice after falling 6-4 to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Friday night.

Alberni Valley used a fast start to get the jump on the Express and put them on the path to victory.

Their speed and pressure on the puck was very effective and lead to scoring chances and dictate the tempo of the first period.

Mitch Makin's speed cutting into the Express zone allowed him to get a step on an Express defenceman and feed the puck into the blue paint to Harlan Orr who just needed to have his stick on the ice to tip home his 4th goal of the season into a gaping net.

Orr added his second of the game 4 minutes later as he banged home the rebound of a Brodie Clowes point shot for a 2-0 Alberni Valley lead at 14:56.

The Express got one back before the period was done as a deft set up from behind the net by Ryan Rosenthal to Corey Mackin who scored his 12th of the season just over a minute after Orr's second of the period.

The score was 2-1 in favour of Alberni Valley after 1 period. But the shot clock told the real story of the period as to who was by far the better team as the Bulldogs outshot the Express 23-6.

The game kept going the Bulldogs way in the second period. Former Express Justin Georgeson playing in his first game in Coquitlam as a Bulldog opened the frame with a powerplay goal just 26 seconds into the period roofing it over the shoulder of Gordie Defiel from a sharp angle.

Ryan Buse put the visitors up 3 as he fired a shot past a screened Gordie Defiel after a won faceoff in the Express zone.

Hunter Stewart made it a 5-1 game as his wrist shot from the slot was fired past Defiel midway through the period.

It was a complete 180 turnaround in terms of who controlled the play from the first period to the second. The Express fired 21 shots in the frame to just 6 for the Bulldogs. But the 3 goals Alberni Valley put up in the period is all that counts at the end of the night.

The Express continued their control of the game from the start of the second period into the third period.

Goals by Bo Pieper and Joey Santucci cut the Bulldogs lead to 5-3. And the Express fired another 18 shots in the final period, but they couldn't dig themselves out of the 4 goal hole from the first half of the game.  The Express outshot Alberni Valley 39-14 in the final 2 periods, but it still wasn't enough.

Harlan Orr capped off his hat-trick with an empty net goal with just over a minute to play. That was followed by a goal by Jackson Cressey in the final minute to put a close on proceedings.

The Express have now lost 5 straight games and 6 of their last 7. They still have just 1 win on home ice this season. They will try to snap their streak Wednesday night when they host the Surrey Eagles.