The offensive juggernaut known as the Coquitlam Express put an exclamation point on the 2013-14 season with a 10-5 win over the Chilliwack Chiefs.
The 10 goals was a new season high for goals in a season surpassing the previous high of 9 which was accomplished 3 previous times this season.
Chilliwack opened the scoring right as a penalty to John Saunders expired on a re-direction by Ben Butcher.
After that point going forward the Express completely took over the second half of the first period.
Bo Pieper and Zach Hodder scored back to back power play goals less than 3 minutes apart.
Now with blood in the water the Express were circling like hungry sharks.
Jackson Cressy, Ryan Rosenthal and Bo Pieper's second of the period made it a 5-1 Express lead after 20 minutes. The Express peppered Josh Halpenny with 25 shots in the first period. The majority of those shots coming in the final 10 minutes.
The goal thirsty Express kept the attack going into the second period. But beating Spencer Tremblay who came out to start the second period was proving to be a difficult task. They had the ice clearly tipped in their favor at times as they rolled their lines and set the tempo.
The Chiefs who were finishing off a difficult season suddenly made things interesting when Blake Gober and Mathieu Tibbet scored 1:12 apart to cut the Express lead to 5-3.
But any momentum that Chilliwack had gained by the quick goals was quickly snuffed out when Marc Biega scored 1 minute after Tibbet's goal for a 6-3 Express lead.
The goal for the recent Merrimack commit set a new Express franchise record for most goals in a season by a defenceman. Breaking the mark set by Brad Hunt during the 2007-08 season. And keep in mind Hunt set his mark during a 60 game season. Biega only had 58 games to work with this season.
Kyle Westerlingh scored in the final minute of the second period to again pull Chilliwack back within two entreating the third period.
The third period saw Josh Halpenny return to the game after Tremblay was clearing laboring in the final few minutes of the second period. Halpenny's tough night quickly resumed when Ryan Rosenthal scored his second of the night just 13 seconds into the third period.
That was the start of another multi goal period for the Express with additional tallies from Canon Pieper, Daniel Lange and John Saunders on the power play to put the Express into double digits.
Jordan Kawaguchi rounded out the scoring in the contest.
In addition to the season high 10 goals, the Express also set a new season high for shots on goal in a game with 54 surpassing the previous mark of 52 set in an earlier game this season vs. Chilliwack.
The offense was sure spread around for the Express tonight with 17 of 19 players who hit the ice getting on the score sheet and that includes goaltender Gordie Defiel who picked up his third assist of the season on John Saunders' third period power play goal.
Adam Rockwood led the way matching a season high with 4 assists accomplishing the feat for a third time this season. Ryan Rosenthal and Bo Pieper each scored a pair of goals.
The Express entered the game trailing the West Kelowna Warriors by one for the BCHL lead in goals with 217. They needed all 10 goals to finish as the highest scoring team in the BCHL with 226 as West Kelowna put 8 on the board vs. Trail to finish with 225. It's the first time in the 13 year history of the Express they led the league in goals for.
These numbers are all fantastic to look at. And it gives plenty of discussion points. But all that matters now is wins when the Express begin their first round playoff series Tuesday night in Prince George for game 1 of the best of 7.
The 10 goals was a new season high for goals in a season surpassing the previous high of 9 which was accomplished 3 previous times this season.
Chilliwack opened the scoring right as a penalty to John Saunders expired on a re-direction by Ben Butcher.
After that point going forward the Express completely took over the second half of the first period.
Bo Pieper and Zach Hodder scored back to back power play goals less than 3 minutes apart.
Now with blood in the water the Express were circling like hungry sharks.
Jackson Cressy, Ryan Rosenthal and Bo Pieper's second of the period made it a 5-1 Express lead after 20 minutes. The Express peppered Josh Halpenny with 25 shots in the first period. The majority of those shots coming in the final 10 minutes.
The goal thirsty Express kept the attack going into the second period. But beating Spencer Tremblay who came out to start the second period was proving to be a difficult task. They had the ice clearly tipped in their favor at times as they rolled their lines and set the tempo.
The Chiefs who were finishing off a difficult season suddenly made things interesting when Blake Gober and Mathieu Tibbet scored 1:12 apart to cut the Express lead to 5-3.
But any momentum that Chilliwack had gained by the quick goals was quickly snuffed out when Marc Biega scored 1 minute after Tibbet's goal for a 6-3 Express lead.
The goal for the recent Merrimack commit set a new Express franchise record for most goals in a season by a defenceman. Breaking the mark set by Brad Hunt during the 2007-08 season. And keep in mind Hunt set his mark during a 60 game season. Biega only had 58 games to work with this season.
Kyle Westerlingh scored in the final minute of the second period to again pull Chilliwack back within two entreating the third period.
The third period saw Josh Halpenny return to the game after Tremblay was clearing laboring in the final few minutes of the second period. Halpenny's tough night quickly resumed when Ryan Rosenthal scored his second of the night just 13 seconds into the third period.
That was the start of another multi goal period for the Express with additional tallies from Canon Pieper, Daniel Lange and John Saunders on the power play to put the Express into double digits.
Jordan Kawaguchi rounded out the scoring in the contest.
In addition to the season high 10 goals, the Express also set a new season high for shots on goal in a game with 54 surpassing the previous mark of 52 set in an earlier game this season vs. Chilliwack.
The offense was sure spread around for the Express tonight with 17 of 19 players who hit the ice getting on the score sheet and that includes goaltender Gordie Defiel who picked up his third assist of the season on John Saunders' third period power play goal.
Adam Rockwood led the way matching a season high with 4 assists accomplishing the feat for a third time this season. Ryan Rosenthal and Bo Pieper each scored a pair of goals.
The Express entered the game trailing the West Kelowna Warriors by one for the BCHL lead in goals with 217. They needed all 10 goals to finish as the highest scoring team in the BCHL with 226 as West Kelowna put 8 on the board vs. Trail to finish with 225. It's the first time in the 13 year history of the Express they led the league in goals for.
These numbers are all fantastic to look at. And it gives plenty of discussion points. But all that matters now is wins when the Express begin their first round playoff series Tuesday night in Prince George for game 1 of the best of 7.
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