EXPRESS MIXLR BROADCAST

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

EAGLES 5 EXPRESS 1

The Express are still in search of their first pre-season win through four games.

Thursday they dropped a 5-1 decision in Surrey.

Things started well for the Express with veteran Cal Babych setting up Eric Linell for a tap in to open the scoring just 1:28 into the game.

Then goaltender Nicolas Lee went to work in the Express crease. He made 14 first period saves to preserve the Express lead through 20 minutes. Most of his best work came in the opening 10 minutes of the frame shortly after the Express opened the scoring.

Mack Merriman scored his first of two on the night on the power play with a screen shot from the point to tie the game at one. Less than two minutes later Jackson Ross snapped home a shot to give Surrey a 2-1 lead.

Nicolas Lee split the goaltending duties with Robert Nawrot halfway through the game. Lee finished with 21 saves on 23 shots.

The Eagles added three in the third including Merriman's second of the night and singles from Chase Danol and Caige Sterzer to round out the scoring.

Among the players that caught my eye Jordan Schulting was playing with some happy legs skating up and down the ice. And Lucas Wong shows plenty of poise on the Express blueline.

The Eagles outshot the Express 36-24. The Express were 0 for 6 on the powerplay while Surrey went 1 for 4.

The teams will meet again in the exhibition finale for the Express Friday night in Poco. Then they will do it for real in the season opener for the Express Sunday September 10th in Surrey. 

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

CHIEFS 8 EXPRESS 1

The Express played their 3rd exhibition game and fell by an 8-1 score to the RBC cup hosts the Chilliwack Chiefs in Hope.


16 year old Harrison Blaisdel got things rolling for Chilliwack by scoring the Chiefs first two goals of the game for a 2-0 Chiefs lead before the game was 13 minutes old.


By the end of the period the Chiefs had built a 4-0 lead and had a 16-5 advantage in shots.


It was only more of the same in the second period on goals from Corey Adnonovski and veteran Tommy Lee.


Reid Cooper got the start in goal for the Express and was beat for the Chiefs first 6 markers. Clay Stevenson played the second half of the game.


Bobby Young rounded out the scoring for the Chiefs in the second period for a 7-0 lead.


Blasidell capped off the hat-trick just 2:20 into the third period burying his own rebound for a shorthanded goal. If this game was any indication, Blaisdell will be a household name in the BCHL in the very near future.


Josh Wildauer broke Mathieu Caron's shutout bid with the lone goal for the Express on the powerplay.


The Chiefs outshot the Express 41-16. Chilliwack struck three times on ten powerplays. The Express were one for four.



The Express get right back in action Wednesday night with their fourth exhibition matchup in Surrey.  

Thursday, August 24, 2017

RIVERMEN TAKE SECOND EXHIBITION MEETING WITH EXPRESS

A late shorthanded goal ended up being the difference in a 3-2 Langley win over the Express.

The win completed a two game home and home sweep for Langley following their 10-3 win Wednesday night.

Both teams dressed a more experienced lineup. The Express played 5 veterans Alex Ambrosio, Will Lawrence, Noah Turanski, Troy Robillard and Jake Brien. Langley dressed 7 veterans.

The Express handed the goaltending duties to Daniel Paul and Bryce Schiebel and they were the story for the Express.

Paul was only beaten once in his half of the game on a first period power play goal from Eric Butte which beat him up over his glove. That lone blemish doesn't take away from a very solid outing as he kept the Express within striking distance. Paul's best save came in the first period as he came to his left and got his pad down to deny Nik Ponak.

Alex Ambrosio pulled the Express even late in the second period. He showed his quick release unleashing a one timer from the slot on a set up from Riley Johnson.

Bryce Schiebel picked up right where Daniel Paul left off with strong play in the Express crease. He backed stopped the Express to a 1-1 after 2 periods.

Josh Bourne gave the Express their lone lead of the night just shy of the 7 minute mark when his wrist shot from the slot beat Chad Kromar.

But the lead only lasted 24 seconds as Angus Crookshank snuck a backhand short side on Schiebel to tie the game at 2.

It didn't take long for the Mainland division foes to re-establish the dislike for one another. It was a feisty affair that had the feel of regular season intensity.

Langley broke the deadlock with the Express on the power play when Crookshank's forechecking pressure forced an Express turnover that Regan Kimens capitalized on for a 3-2 Langley lead with just 1:18 to go.

Will Lawrence had the Express best chance to equalize with 30 seconds left off a won face-off. He had a clean look for a shot off the draw but hit something and couldn't beat Cromar.

The Express are back in exhibition action on August 29th in Hope vs. the Chilliwack Chiefs.


Wednesday, August 23, 2017

EXPRESS OPEN EXHIBITION

The Coquitlam Express dropped a 10-3 decision to the Langley Rivermen in the exhibition opener for both clubs.

It was a back and forth opening 20 minutes. The Express had 3 consecutive good shifts in the Langley zone. And just as quickly as those shifts played out, Langley then suddenly blew the game open. They struck three times in a span of 1:50 and four times in a span of 5:33 to open a 4-0 lead. Ethan Leyh scored a pair of goals.

The Express had a good response for the period was done. Charlie Wilkie, Qunny Baker and Teddy Prior scored for the Express and it was 4-3 Langley after one.

Langley added three goals in the second period. Nick Grimaldi for the Express couldn't convert on a penalty shot midway through the period.

The visitors padded their lead in the final 5 minutes to round out the scoring.

The teams will meet again Thursday night in Langley in the second half of the home and home.