EXPRESS MIXLR BROADCAST

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

EXPRESS STREAK SNAPPED BY EAGLES

The Coquitlam Express winning streak is a thing of the past stopping at 6 games following a 4-1 loss to the Surrey Eagles Wednesday night. Click here for boxscore

Despite the recent run of success for the Express, they haven't been pleased with their starts and particularly early penalties.

That didn't change Wednesday and it cost the Express. With Nick Wildgoose in the box for interference, Liam Ryan scored on the powerplay taking a feed off the rush from Ty Westgard and beat Kolby Matthews over the glove.

Ryan was playing alongside Westgard and Chase Stevenson in place of Eric Linell who was scratched Wednesday.

The goal at 1:54 was the first time the Express trailed in 7 games.

Surrey who had dropped the first two meetings of the season between the two teams by a combined 12-2 count, made it tougher for the Express to create time and space to make plays.

Then midway through the 1st period a D to D pass by the Express at the Surrey blueline was picked off by Justyn Gurney who scored on the breakaway beating Kolby Matthews to the backhand.

Cayden Bailey at the other end made his best saves of the first period off Regan Kimens alone in front of the net and a rebound chance late in the period off Danny Pearson.

In the opening minutes of the 2nd period Gurney and Robillard had some pushing and shoving leading to coincidental penalties. That ended up being some foreshadowing for the end of the period.

Chase Stevenson opened up a three goal Eagles lead going to the net following a Ty Westgard rush and knocking the puck out of the air and in the net. The Express argued the puck was contacted with a high stick, but the goal wasn't overturned.

The Express entered the game with 4 powerplay goals in the previous two games. Wednesday was harder for the man advantage to get going. Most notably in the second period where the Express couldn't convert on three opportunities to cut into the Eagles lead.

In the final minute of the 2nd period as the teams were lining up for a face-off in the Express zone Troy Robillard and Justyn Gurney had words and the Express captain was willing to settle things by dropping the gloves. Gurney didn't drop the gloves and both players ended up getting 10 minute misconducts.

By the time the 2nd period had come to an end the Express were certainly frustrated by how things had played out by this point.

In the opening moments of the 3rd period Drew Cooper was levelled after he moved the puck by Liam Ryan.

On the ensuing powerplay, Regan Kimens finally gave something for the Express to build on snapping a shot past a sprawled out Cayden Bailey to get the Express on the board at 1:58. The powerplay finished 1 for 6.

That goal sparked the Express to play some of their best hockey of the night. But they weren't able to get a second puck past Cayden Bailey who finished with 42 saves.

Gurney iced the game with his second of the night into an empty net.

The Express will visit Chilliwack on Friday then have a return match vs. Surrey on Saturday at the South Surrey Arena. 

No comments: