EXPRESS MIXLR BROADCAST

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

EXPRESS STREAK SNAPPED AT 5

Chilliwack survived a scare of blowing a 4-0 lead but in the end prevailed 5-4 in double overtime over the Express snapping their winning streak at 5.

It was an interesting game to say the least with the comeback and the shorthanded goals.

More on those in a moment.

It started with a bang as Jordan Kawaguchi with little resistance was able to dance past the Express defense and score just 44 seconds in to get the visitors off on the right foot.

The remainder of the period was fairly even with Chilliwack holding a 11-9 edge in shots.

Then things got interesting for sure.

Chilliwack was on the receiving end of penalty calls, but they were able to do something I've never seen anywhere.

They scored three straight shorthanded goals on three straight shorthanded situations. Jake Hand on a wrist shot from the left wing followed by Ryan Bowen on a breakaway and Jordan Kawaguchi's second of the game on a two on none scored shorthanded markers in a span of 5:38 to open up a 4-0 Chiefs lead.

One shorthanded goal in a game is tough enough to stomach let alone three in row.

If you're looking for signs how this Express team has grown in recent weeks it's how they responded to it.

Cody Boyd and Jackson Cressey scored to cut the lead in half.

Late in the second period a shot by Brendan Lamont may have either hit the post, or the red metal in the back of the net and the puck came out. The red light came on, but after minimal argument from the Express they play wasn't discussed further and the Express went to the room down two.

Coquitlam did outshoot Chilliwack 16-10 in the second period. Then they raised their game even further in the third looking for the equalizer.

BCHL player of the week Corey Mackin added to his BCHL lead with his 23rd goal and 40th point for a power play marker midway through the frame to cut the lead to one.

Due to injuries up front the Express dressed 7 defenceman giving Nic Coltura a chance to draw back in the lineup. And he certainly earned all the ice time he got. He had a very strong outing for the Express in both ends of the rink. He quickly fired up a pass to Joey Santucci who had a wide open lane to the net catching Chilliwack on a bad change and the captain scored on a backhand to tie the score at 4.

After an uneventful first overtime, the second stanza saw the game decided on a two on one for the Chiefs with Kurt Black finishing off the pass from Jake Larson for the game winner.

The power plays were pretty one sided in the Express favour with the Express finishing 2 for 9 while the Chiefs only had two powerplays and couldn't convert.

Coquitlam now hits the road for games this weekend in Trail and Salmon Arm.

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