BULLDOGS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlight's of Alberni Valley's 4-2 win over the Express Tuesday night.

Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

MERRY XMAS FROM THE CHIEFS

I got this at work today. First off thank you for the Langley Chiefs for sending me the best of the holiday season. I send those sentiments right back.

But I have to ask the question, I can't truly accept this considering my position and the long standing rivalry between the two teams can I?

ORLAND KURTENBACH INTERVIEW

During the 2nd intermission of Friday's game vs. Quesnel, I had a chance to interview the original Captain Canuck Orland Kurtenbach.

We talked about his involvement with the Canucks as an ambassador, the ring of honour induction, and the 1987 Centennial Cup Champion Richmond Sockeyes team he was the head coach of.

Click to here to listen to my interview with Orland

MILLIONAIRES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of the Express 4-2 win over the Quesnel Millionaires Friday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

DEKANICH NHL DEBUT & TURRIS S-OUT MAGIC

I was beginning to think that Anders Lindback was never going to let Mark Dekanich play.

The former Express has been up for his second call up with the Nashville Predators this season for a few weeks. But Anders Lindback has been unreal since Pekka Rinne went down with an injury going 6-0-1 in Rinne's absence and 9-1-2 overall this season.

But Lindback finally cracked tonight vs. the LA Kings and was pulled after allowing 3 goals on 6 shots in just under 10 minutes. And Mark Dekanich came off the bench to officially become the 6th Express alum to play in an NHL game.

But that hasn't stopped the Kings as the offence kept on rolling as they're well on their way to victory.

Congrats Mark.

Kyle Turris showed some of his flash that we all know so well from his days with the Express. Tonight in the shootout vs. the New York Islanders, he made a pretty cheeky move for a goal.

Click on the link below for Shane Doan and Kyle's post game comments.

http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/podcastplayer.htm?pid=335&iid=26970&navid=DL|PHX|home

EXPRESS SURVIVE MILLS PUSH

It wasn't the prettiest of wins, but the Express survived a Quesnel team that gave them all they could handle to head to the Christmas break with a 4-2 win.

The Express opened the scoring less than 90 seconds into the scoring when Malcom Mckinney wired a shot past Bryant Udy.

Mike Krgovich added to the Express lead when he banged in a loose puck at the side of the net.

The Express could have put Quesnel away in the opening 20 minutes. But couldn't convert on any of their three first period powerplays.

Quesnel entered the game with a BCHL low of just 10 goals on the powerplay all season.

On this night however, they found the right formula. Derek Huisman scored early in the second period on the powerplay to cut the Express lead to one.

The Express re-stored their 2 goal lead on a powerplay of their own when Mike Krgovich scored his second of the night tipping a Cole Gelley point shot.

But that vaunted Quesnel powerplay struck again shortly after Krgovich's marker as Skyler Smutek scored from the slot to pull the Mills back within one.

From there the pesky Mills stuck around and gave the Express a battle looking for the equalizer.

Khaleed Devji making his 7th straight start, clutched up with key saves in the 3rd period off Bradley Buckingham and Skyler Smutek's coast to coast rush to keep the Express up by a goal.

The Express had more opportunites to put the game away in the third period when the Mills were called for conseutive powerplays. But the Express couldn't convert on the opportunity that included a 5 on 3 for 28 seconds.

Then with 2:37 remaining, Mark Begert was called for interference.

This time the Express clutched up and got the penalty kill that they needed. Then as Begert's penalty expired, he came out of the box and scored his first BCHL goal into the empty net to seal the Express win.

The Express posted consecutive wins for the first time since November 10th and 12th over Nanaimo and Langley.

This month the Express have posted a very solid pre-christmas record of 4-2-0-3 picking up 11 of a possible 18 points.

The win combined with Victoria's 5-4 win over Alberni Valley has moved the Express into 6th place in the Coastal conference. But the Dogs do have 3 games in hand on the Express.

The Express are also 6 points clear of Cowichan Valley for the final playoff spot in the conference.

However, the Dogs and the Caps will wrap up their pre-christmas schedule going head to head Saturday night. I will let you decide who you want to win. All I know is I don't want a 3 point game between those two teams. Now that I say that, it will probably happen.

I will post the highlights when I get them shortly. Until then, the blog will probably be pretty quiet.

So I would like to wish you all a safe and merry christmas. And when the Express return on the 28th vs. Alberni Valley, lets have a strong finish to the season and make a push for the playoffs.

SPRUCE KINGS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of the Express 7-4 win over Prince George Wednesday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

EXPRESS TRIM SPRUCE KINGS

Coquitlam used a balanced attack and a red hot powerplay to defeat the Prince George Spruce Kings 7-4 Wednesday night.

9 players hit the score sheet and 6 players had multiple point nights for the Express.

Jason Grecica led all scorers with 1 goal and 3 assists, while other veterans Massimo Lamacchia and Riley Mcintosh had multiple point nights. But the rookies had strong nights too with Destry Straight scoring twice and adding an assist, while Justin Georgeson had 1 goal and 1 assist, and Jake Charles scored his first BCHL goal in the third period.

The Express got 4 goals and 4 assists from 1st year players in the win. Khaleed Devji made 36 saves for his 10th win of the season.

The powerplay had a season high 4 goals on 5 opportunites. The Spruce Kings powerplay had a strong night as well. RJay Berra scored his 30th and 31st goals of the season on the powerplay, and Lyndon Martell rounded out the scoring late in the third period.

Mike Krgovich, Nick Desousa and RJay Berra all picked up their 100th career BCHL points.

The Express wrap up their pre-christmas schedule Friday night vs. Quesnel who won have just one road win this season which came on the opening night of the season.

That game is the Express teddy bear toss night.

WHERE IS BRETT HEMINGWAY?

The former Express star is currently playing with the Belfast Giants.

He and the rest of his temamates just want one thing for Christmas.

Brett is wearing his familiar #15. The video speaks for itself...

REID TRADED TO SILVERBACKS

The Express made a pretty significant move Tuesday trading 20 year old forward Brad Reid to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in exchange for future considerations.

This season Brad Reid scored 14 goals and 31 points in 33 games. He played 1 and a half seasons with the Express racking up 41 goals and 86 points in 93 games.

Reid didn't dress for the last 3 games. He got off to a fast start this season with 9 goals in his first 10 games, and 10 in his first 13, but then his production dropped off dramatically scoring just 3 goals in his next 20 games.

Earlier this season Brad committed to the Rochester Institute of Technology.

SMOKIES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Trail's 3-2 overtime over the Express Sunday afternoon.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

CHIEFS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Coquitlam's 4-0 win over the Langley Chiefs Friday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

DEVJI BLANKS CHIEFS

Khaleed Devji stopped all 27 shots sent his way as the Express opened a 6 game home stand with a 4-o win over the Langley Chiefs.

Destry Straight returned to the Express from the CJHL Top Prospects games in Dauphin Manitoba and had 2 assists in the win.

Jared Eng opened the scoring for the Express in the first period on a 5 on 3 when he wired a slap shot past Wyatt Galley at 14:36.

Captain Garrick Perry added to the Express lead in the 2nd as he finished off a great passing play with Destry Straight and Jake Charles at 16:18.

Click to hear for Perry's 2-0 goal

Through 40 minutes the Express shutdown a ice cold Langley powerplay killing off all 4 Langley man advantages. The Chiefs powerplay is now 0 for its last 21 advantages in the last 5 games.

Matt Mazzarolo gave the Express a 3 goal buldge wiring home his first goal of the season early in the third period. That was followed 3 and a half minutes later when Jason Grecica was on the business end of a 3 on 2 with Destry Straight and Justin Georgeson.

Click to hear for Grecica's 4-0 goal

From there, the Express cruised to the victory and didn't give Devji much to sweat about in the third period as he finished off his shutout. The Express outshot the Chiefs 16-8 in the third period.

The Cowichan Valley Capitals and Alberni Valley Bulldogs didn't help the Express much in the standings. As they both erased late third period deficits to send their games to overtime where the Caps tied the Trail Smoke Eaters at 4, and the Nanaimo Clippers needed overtime to knock off Alberni Valley 4-3.

Coquitlam picked up one point on Cowichan Valley and has a 2 point cushion on the final playoff spot. The Express are now 2 points back of Alberni Valley for 6th place in the Coastal Conference.

It's now a day of rest for the Express before they welcome the Trail Smoke Eaters to town on Sunday afternoon.

ANOTHER OT LOSS

The powerplays were plentiful, as were the goals that came with the opportunities and that included the game winning goal as the Eagles defeated the Express 5-4 in overtime at the South Surrey Arena Wednesday night.

The teams combined for 17 powerplays and 6 of the 9 goals came on the powerplay.

Coquitlam got off to a good start as they scored a pair of powerplay goals in the first period by Massimo Lamacchia and Jason Grecica to give the Express a 2-0 lead.

The Eagles were then given 3 straight powerplays and that included a 5 on 3 for 1:40. Surrey didn't score on that opportunity.

But Riley Sweeney did score on the Eagles next advantage a few minutes later as his point shot got past a screened Khaleed Devji.

The second period saw Coquitlam called for 4 of the 5 penalties assessed in the second period, but the only goal of the period came at even strength as Robert Lindores banged in a loose puck at the side of the Express net to tie the game at 2.

Surrey began the third period with you guessed it, a powerplay. And they capitalized on it as Richard Vanderhoek scored from the slot just 31 seconds into the third period to give the Eagles their first lead.

3:02 later the Eagles gave themselves a 2 goal cushion when the Express turned the puck over at the Eagle blueline and Micheal Stenerson came in on a 2 on 1 and kept the puck and wired a perfect shot over the glove of Khaleed Devji.

Malcom Mckinney cut the lead back down to one midway through the third as he beat Eagles goaltender Karel St. Lauraent to the puck and Mckinney swept it home at 9:11.

The Express were then given back to back powerplays and they scored on the second to tie it up at 4 as Riley Mcintosh pinched in from the point and scored on a feed from behind the net from Mike Krgovich.

So for the second straight meeting between the two clubs in a week the Express battled back from a two goal third period deficit to send the game to overtime.

It didn't take long for the first powerplay of overtime to be handed out when Garrick Perry was called for hooking on Steve Koshey beside the Eagle net at 27 seconds of overtime.

Seconds later the Eagles won it with their powerplay as Riley Sweeney scored his second of the night taking a feed at the left circle and blasting it past Khaleed Devji. It was the second overtime win in a week for the Eagles over the Express.

The loss sent the Express to another overtime loss. They are still searching for their first overtime win this season with a overtime record that now stands at 0-7-1.

With the point for the overtime loss combined with Vernon's 5-2 win over Cowichan Valley, the Express have a 2 point lead on the Caps for the 7th and final playoff spot.

Wednesday's game was the final road game for the Express in 2010. They will now begin a 6 game home stand Friday night vs. Langley.

EXPRESS SPLIT FINAL 2 GAMES ON WEEKEND

After their 6-2 loss in Nanaimo Friday, the Express followed that up with a 4-2 win in Alberni Valley Saturday and a 4-0 loss in Powell River Sunday.

In Alberni, the Express picked up just their 4th road win of the season. Khaleed Devji was stellar in the third period stopping all 12 Bulldog shots sent his way as the Express protected a one goal lead.

The third period performance capped off a stellar 34 save win for the Express rookie netminder.

Mike Krgovich led the Express offensive attack with 1 goal and 2 assists. The Express also got goals from Justin Georgeson on a penalty shot and Taylor Gray scored his first BCHL goal in the first period as an AP for the Express this weekend.

The game was a fairly physical affair as Sawyer Mick set the tone for the game with hits on defencemen Riley Mcintosh and Matt Hutchinson on the same shift. Coquitlam had a solid response to the physicality by matching the Bulldogs hit for hit.

As this team looks for positives in what has been a difficult run in the last few weeks, a sign of team unity may have came to the forefront at the start of the 2nd period when the whole Express bench banged their sticks in unison.

Sunday Powell River simply outclassed the Express. The BCHL's top team set the tone in the opening 90 seconds by hemming the Express in their own end for the entire time. That shift was a sign of things to come for the rest of the day. Powell River's speed and counter attack allowed them to control the pace of the game for the entire game.

Powell River's fast start eventually led the Kings to play that way for the full 60 minutes en route to out shooting the Express 46-16. It's pretty easy to be the BCHL's top defensive team if the puck doesn't come near your goaltender.

Matt Garbowsky and Chad Niddery performed as expected for the Kings as they led their attack with a goal and an assist in the first period. Teagan Waugh and Brendon Hawryluk added goals in the 2nd and 3rd periods.

Micheal Gartieg wasn't tested all that much turning aside just 16 shots sent his way for his 5th shutout of the season. Garteig's best save of the game came when Destry Straight and Riley Mcintosh played give and go and Garteig came to his left to rob the Express rookie with a spectacular glove save. A pretty good indication of just the lack of a test Garteig was given on Sunday was reflected in the three stars where he wasn't selected.

Powell River has now shutout their opponents 7 times this season.

An encouraging sign from an Express point of view was killing off all 5 Powell River powerplays. In the first two meetings of the season, the Kings got key game deciding goals on the powerplay by winning offensive zone faceoffs and getting screened point shots through and they found the back of the net.

Sunday's game saw considerable improvement in that department for the Express. They were stellar getting in the shooting lanes as Powell River tried to get those point shots through for deflections and screen shots.

The Express will play their final road game of 2010 when they will travel to Surrey for the 2nd meeting in a week with the Eagles at the South Surrey Arena.

EXPRESS TOP 10 - MOMENT 5

Today we look at the day Kyle Turris made Canadian Junior A Hockey history by being the highest Junior A player selected in the NHL draft 3rd overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2007.

Click to hear moment 5

EXPRESS SUFFER 2ND PERIOD MELTDOWN IN NANAIMO

It was a 2nd period from H#%L!!! in Nanaimo for the Express as they watched Nanaimo score 6 times in the middle frame en route to a 6-2 loss to the Nanaimo Clippers at the Frank Crane Arena.

Colton Cyr scored twice while former Express Ryan Stanimir and Graeme McCormack each scored a goal and an assist to lead the Clipper attack. The Clippers also got singles from Kiefer McNaughton and Gerry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald's goal was assisted from his other two triplet brother linemates Leo and Myles.

Luke Hernandez was pulled after allowing 4 goals on 12 shots in the 2nd period. It didn't get much better for Khaleed Devji as he allowed 2 goals on 3 shots to mop up the second period.

Coquitlam scored two goals by Brad Reid and Taylor Grabowski's first BCHL goal in the third period to break Charles Andre Pelletier's shutout bid on a 5 minute major power play with Nick Bell serving a checking from behind penalty.

The loss combined with Cowichan Valley winning 4-3 in Prince George have the Express and Caps tied for 7th place in the Coastal Conference with 27 points.

The Express are back in action Saturday night in Alberni Valley.

EXPRESS TOP 10 - MOMENT 6

Moment number 6 takes a look back at the Express finally knocking off their playoff nemisis the Chilliwack Chiefs for the first time in 5 tries in 2006.

Click to hear moment 6

VEES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights from Saturday's wild 7-5 win for the Vees over the Express Saturday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

GRIZZLIES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlight's from Victoria's 5-2 win over the Express Friday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

WILD AFFAIR VS. VEES SATURDAY NIGHT

If you knew the final score of the Express vs. Vees game on Saturday night would be a 7-5 final raise your hand... That's what I thought, none of you.

Penticton did come away with the win, but the Express forced the Vees to dig deep in the third period just to pick up the two points.

The Express came out physical in the first period and Coquitlam brought their skatings legs knowing that the Vees would challenge the Express to skate with them.

Joey Laleggia for the Vees and Jason Grecica for the Express traded goals just under 2 minutes apart early in the first period.

Then the Express got into penalty trouble being called for back to back infractions giving the Vees nearly 4 consecutive minutes of powerplay time, to the Express' credit they killed off the powerplays. But Penticton used the powerplays to give them a jolt of momentum and started to carry the play.

Joey Benik gave the Vees the lead late in the first when he brought the puck into the Express zone with speed and wired a quick wrist shot post and in low stick side on Khaleed Devji.

The Vees took their 2-1 lead to the room and outshot the Express 17-5.

Both teams settled into a tighter and more evenly played game when the second period got underway. Logan Johnston opened up a 2 goal Vee lead scoring at 7:36.

Coquitlam didn't get rattled and Jason Grecica forced a turnover behind the Vee net and set up Mike Krgovich and scored on a backhand at 14:20.

Penticton however quickly restored their two goal lead when Tampa Bay draft pick Brendan O'Donnel set up Montreal Canadiens draft pick Mark MacMillan who was all alone in front of Devji.

Trailing by two goals entering the third period to the Penticton Vees a comeback seemed fairly unlikely for the Express.

Coquitlam was given a chance to cut the lead down to one early in the third period when Kyle Beaulieu was called for tripping. That gave the anemic Express powerplay a chance to make it a game again. In the last few games the Express let opportunities like this slip through their fingers.

This time their fortunes would be different.

Cole Gelley started a beautiful passing play by whipping it to Krgovich who snapped across to Destry Straight who buried it past Joel Rumpel to pull the Express back within one with plenty of time left on the clock.

Less than a minute later captain Garrick Perry showed the heart and determination he brings to the rink every night by taking a Steve Axford pass and powered his way hard to the net and scored on Rumpel to pull the Express even.

Two goals in 41 seconds for the Express meant the end of the night for Joel Rumpel who was pulled in favour of Billy Faust.

Midway through the third Brad Reid clutched up to give the Express the lead for the first time when his wrist shot from inside the blueline handcuffed Faust.

3 goals in 8:12 turned the game 180 degrees in the Express favour. But it was still far from over from the Vees point of view.

A powerplay goal by Brendan O'Donnel just over 2 minutes later pulled Penticton even as this sea saw third period continued. Then just 2:03 later one of Jon Calvano's former players with the Vancouver Northwest Giants re-stored the Vees lead when Steven Iacobellis tipped a Troy Stetcher point shot past Devji to give the Vees the lead again.

Coquitlam thought they were going to get a great opportunity to pull even in the final minute when Riley Mcintosh was hauled down in his own zone and the Express looked to be getting a powerplay. But as the Express brought the puck up ice referee Adam Griffiths somehow found a holding penalty on Garrick Perry and the teams remained at even strength.

Tough pill to swallow for the Express in their come back bid. Then Joey Holka iced the game for the Vees with an empty net goal.

This loss isn't easy to take from an Express point of view. But they can take out of it how hard they played with one the of top teams in the BCHL. This weekend the Express may have posted two of their best performances in consecutive games in recent weeks. They may have wound up on the losing end both times. But if what we saw this weekend was a sign of things to come, it should only be a matter of time before the Express get back into the win column.

WHO'S YOUR PICK?

The midway mark of the season comes up on Wednesday night in Surrey. So I would like to take the opportunity to get your opinion who would be your mid-season award winners for the Express.

On the right side of the screen there's some of the awards the Express hand out at the end of the season. Take some time and go through each poll and cast your vote.

OPPORTUNITIES LOST VS. GRIZZLIES

It was a case of one team taking advantage of their opportunities and the other not as the Grizzlies knocked off the Express 5-2 Friday night.

The Express had a chance to bury Victoria in the first period. The Express came out skating, hitting and the result of their hard work helped draw 4 first period powerplays. That included a 5 on 3 for 44 seconds and the Express couldn't score on any of them.

Then in the final minute Victoria got one powerplay and scored on it with 3 seconds left in the period when Sean Robertson tipped a shot in front of Luke Hernandez to give Victoria the lead after 20 minutes despite being outshot 10-5.

Coquitlam didn't allow the late first period goal to Robertson deflate them to start the second as the Express continued to press.

The Express took the lead on goals by Destry Straight on the power play and Brad Reid at even strength before the period was 5 minutes old. The goals for Reid and Straight were just their second goals in their last 15 games.

Cole Gorchynski was the difference preventing from the Express extending their lead. His strong play was keeping Victoria in the game.

Victoria tied the game when Kyle Aschim's point shot got past Steve Axford's block attempt and Luke Hernandez at 12:29.

Then Victoria got another late powerplay goal as Joel Lowry picked out the puck in a scramble and put it over Hernandez to give Victoria another lead heading to the room.

In the third the Grizzlies iced the game on goals by Madison Dias and Pierce Eviston.

Special teams played a vital role in the outcome as the Express power play continued it's struggles going 1 for 7. The Grizzlies were efficient on their few powerplay opportunities scoring twice on their three chances.

The Express powerplay which was once the bread and butter of the Express attack has gone stale.

It's now just 2 for 30 in the last 5 games and 7 for 70 in the last 15.

The Express do still hold the 7th and final playoff spot by the smallest of margins maintaining a 1 point lead on Cowichan Valley after they lost 1-0 to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

STRAIGHT JOINS LIST OF COMMITTED

It has been a pretty good day for Destry Straight, he has committed to Boston College and was named to play in the CJHL Top Prospects Game.

Straight is the 3rd player Express player to get a NCAA commitment this season. This news comes on the heels of Brad Reid committing to Rochester Institute of Technology. Captain Garrick Perry committed to the University of Alaska Fairbanks earlier this season.

No word yet on when Destry will begin his college career.

Former Express Brock Bradford is a B.U. Grad winning a NCAA Championship in 2008.

STRAIGHT & DEACON TO PLAY IN PROSPECTS SERIES

Express forwards Destry Straight and Mitchell Deacon were among 8 BCHL players selected to play for Team West in the 2 game total goal top prospects series in Dauphin Manitoba.

Earlier this season Straight was listed as an "A" prospect to watch and Deacon was listed as a "C" prospect by NHL Central scouting in advance of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Straight is tied with Powell River's Cohen Adair for the BCHL rookie scoring lead with 28 points.

Deacon's size and grit have scouts keeping an eye on him. He has 5 goals in 19 games this season.

Kyle Turris was the last Express player to play in the top prospects game back in 2007.

The prospects game features the top 40 NHL draft eligible propects in Canadian Junior A Hockey December 7th & 8th.

The other BCHL players selected to play are Trail's Sam Mellor, Joey Baker, and Eric Walker, Vernon's Aaron Hadley, Victoria's Madison Dias, and Westside's Michael King.

REID TO R.I.T

20 year old Express forward Brad Reid has committed to the Rochester Institute of Technology for the 2011-12 season.

Reid is in his second season with the Express after coming over from the Penticton Vees prior to the 09-10 season. Last year he scored a team leading 55 points and scored 27 goals. Numbers that earned him the Express MVP honours.

This season the Delta native has 11 goals and 27 points in 27 games.

The Express now have 2 players committed to scholarships for next season. Captain Garrick Perry committed to the University of Alaska Fairbanks earlier this season.

Congratulations Brad.

On a side note, it is interesting to see who Reid will be teammates with next season. Powell River's Matt Garbowsky and Daniel Schuler, Surrey's Brad McGowan who is 2nd in BCHL scoring, and Langley's Brandon Thompson. They will join former BCHLers Adam Hartley (Express & Eagles), Scott Knowles (Eagles) Eliot Raibl (Bulldogs, Millionaires, Eagles) and Josh Watson (Kings).

KINGS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Powell River's 4-1 win over the Express Saturday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

KINGS WIN SPECIAL TEAMS BATTLE VS. THE EXPRESS

The two participants in the last two BCHL finals came into Coquitlam and came away with wins.

Saturday the BCHL leading Powell River Kings won the special teams battle in a 4-1 win over the Express.

The Kings scored a shorthanded goal by Matt Garbowsky while killing off all 9 Express powerplays. The goal came as a result of Riley Mcintosh pinching at the blueline and Chad Niddery poked it past him setting up a 2 on 1 and Niddery put a perfect pass on the tape of Garbowsky who buried it.

Mike Krogovich was credited with the Express' only goal of the night 35 seconds into the second period when Massimo Lamacchia chopped the puck in front of the net and it bounced off Krgovich and in for Krgovich's 3rd Express goal.

Minutes later with the Kings on the powerplay, Powell River won an offensive zone faceoff and Craig Dalrymple's point shot got past a screened Luke Hernandez to re-store the King lead.

Powell River the BCHL's best defensive team limited the Express chances throughout the course of the game.

In the opening minute of the third period Dalrymple added his second of the night in similar fashion as the Kings won an offensive zone faceoff and Dalrymple fired a screened point shot that got past Luke Hernandez.

If you're sensing a trend here, you are right on a couple of fronts. Powell River has scored 5 goals on Luke Hernandez in the 2 games between the two clubs this season. 4 of them have come in similar fashion as the Kings would just work the puck to the point, set up a screen and get the shot through to the back of the net.

Faceoffs were also a problem for the Express this weekend. Vernon dominated the faoeoff circle especially in the Express end of the rink. Coquitlam's faceoff problems didn't hurt them much Friday. But Powell River had similar success in the faceoff circle and scored a pair of goals as a direct result of winning a faceoff in the Express end.

Carter Shinkaruk iced the game with an empty net goal with just over a minute remaining.

The game had a chance to go in a different direction if the Express could convert on their powerplays that included 3 in the third period. The Express finished 0 for 9 on the powerplay and was 0 for 13 in a pair of home games this weekend.

Coquitlam lost all 3 games on their schedule this week and were outshot 144-65 in those 3 outings.

As a result of the struggles, the Express now sit just one point up on Cowichan Valley for the 7th and final playoff spot in the Coastal Conference.

The Express will play host to Penticton and Victoria next weekend.

VIPERS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Vernon's 4-3 overtime win over the Express Friday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

DARCY ROTA INTERVIEW

During the first intermission of Friday's game vs. the Vernon Vipers I spoke with Express GM Darcy Rota.

We covered a number of topics including the Express style of play, the three recent trades and his relationship with Head Coach Jon Calvano.

Click to hear my interview with Darcy

VIPERS NEED OT TO KNOCK OFF GRITTY EXPRESS

It took 49 shots and 60:23 of action for the Vernon Vipers to knock off a resilient Express team 4-3 in overtime Friday night.

The Vipers may not have the talent of the previous two years in which they won back to back Royal Bank Cup National Championships, but they still play a similar puck possession style. The difference for the Vipers from this year to the last two years was an inability to bury their chances.

For most of the game, it was Vernon's puck to do what they wanted. To the credit of the Express, they did well to protect the middle of the ice and try and keep Vernon to the outside.

Luke Hernandez was busy all night and was very sharp long turning aside 45 of 49 shots he faced. The Express goaltender saved some of his best when the Express were under siege during 4 Vernon powerplays. The cliche is you need your best penalty killer to be your goaltender and Hernandez was that for the Express Friday. The support in front of him was strong as well as they watched the Vipers whip the puck around in the Express zone.

Mitchell Deacon returned to the lineup after missing the last 5 games and played a strong gritty game. He opened the scoring taking advantage of a Blake Voth turnover and Deacon wired home his 5th goal of the season. Deacon wasn't afraid to get his nose dirty and be willing to go after Vernon's best players including captain David Robinson.

Robinson evened the score for the Vipers after the Express turned the puck over at the blueline and Robinson buried a pass from Dylan Walchuk.

Just over minute later Massimo Lamacchia in front of his parents tied the game poking home the puck at the side of the Vipers net to restore the Express lead with his team leading 13th goal of the season.

The Express were fortunate to come out of the period with the lead considering Vernon dominated the game with their pace of play.

It was the same story in the second period but the Vipers couldn't get the puck past a strong Luke Hernandez.

Despite a 32-12 shot advantage for Vernon after 2 periods, the Express maintained their lead.

Vernon finally was rewarded for their strong play in the third when Walchuk set up Aaron Hadley in front of the Express net and Hadley tipped it over the glove of Hernandez.

Just under 3 minutes later the Vipers finally grabbed the lead when Todd Skirving beat Hernandez with a wrist shot high to the short side.

Vernon entered the game riding a 3 game losing streak and had just 2 wins in their last 8 games. One problem that had plagued them was blowing 3rd period leads. Vernon hoped their dominance of the play would allow them to clamp the game down and pick up the victory.

The Vipers got a chance to ice the game with a powerplay. But Garrick Perry showed his typical determination and forced a turnover at his own line and he went to the net and buried the breakaway to tie the game. The goal for Perry had to feel good considering he had 2 breakaways in the last 2 home games and he couldn't finish them off.

Click to hear Perry's shorthanded goal
.

The game remained even through 60 minutes dominated by the Vipers and Luke Hernandez was the main reason the Express got a point.

Entering OT the Express and Vipers had combined for 9 overtime losses this season, Vernon snapped their OT funk just 23 seconds into overtime shortly after Cole Gelley was hauled down in his own zone losing the puck and Bryce Kakoske cut into the slot picked his spot on Hernadez and nailed it giving Vernon the 4-3 OT win.

The better team won the hockey game, but the Express have to thank Luke Hernandez for his strong effort. The Express goaltender has been a little snake bitten recently in his last 3 home games. He has been very strong but just hasn't been able to come out on the winning side of the ledger. Hernandez is seeking his first win since September 29th vs. Surrey.

The Express are back in action as they welcome the Coastal Conference leading Powell River Kings to town Saturday night.

EXPRESS TOP 10 - MOMENT 7

Moment 7 in the countdown features David Jones and Brett Hemingway being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2003.

Click to hear the feature
.

MCNEELY COVERBOY OF BCHL MAGAZINE

Former Express captain Tyler McNeely who is in his senior season at Northeastern University is the coverboy of the latest issue of the BCHL's Smart Hockey Magazine.

Click on the link to read the magazine in PDF form.

http://media.esportsdesk.com/images/leagues/1413/graphics/smarthockey_current_web.pdf

EXPRESS ACQUIRE GELLEY

He has been on their radar all season long, now the Express finally have acquired the rights to defenceman Cole Gelley (91) from the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

The Express sent the rights to defenceman James Bettauer and future considerations to Cowichan Valley.

In the off-season, the Surrey Eagles sent Gelley along with future considerations to the Trail Smoke Eaters for Wade Bennett (now with the Express) and Robert Lindores.

After spending the first few days at camp, Gelley left Trail wanting to play closer to home. Days later his rights were shipped to Cowichan Valley but he never reported with the hopes that a trade to the Express would eventually materialize which it did Tuesday.

Bettauer played last season with the Express for 33 games after being picked up mid-season from Quesnel in a trade for Jon Puskar. Bettauer tallied 7 goals and 23 points.

This season he wanted another crack at the WHL and has played all season with the Price Albert Raiders where he has 1 goal and 9 points and is a +2 in 22 games.

Gelley has appeared in 101 career BCHL games scoring 3 goals and 23 assists for 26 points. In 07-08 he played under current Express coach Jon Calvano with the Vancouver Northwest Giants.

He will make his Express debut Wednesday night in Langley.

EXPRESS & BULLDOGS FIT TO BE TIED

For the first time in over 2 years the Express played to a tie 3-3 Sunday afternoon with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. The tie assured the Express would go undefeated in 3 home games this week picking up 2 wins and a tie collecting 5 of a possible 6 points.

Mike Krgovich played the hero for the Express with a buzzer beater wrap around in the third period to tie the game at 3 at 19:59 of the third period.

Alberni Valley got a break to give the visitors the early lead when Khaleed Devji had trouble handling the puck and it was centred to Casey Bailey who tapped it home to open the scoring.

The Express had a reply in quick succession when Garrick Perry scored at 7:41, that was followed 13 seconds later by a great shot by Jason Grecica wiring a shot top shelf off the wing over the glove of Frank Slubowski following a drop pass from Massimo Lamacchia.

The goal extended Grecia's point streak to 5 games, 2 goals and 3 assists. Lamacchia is riding a 3 game point streak of his own 2 goals and 3 assists.

In the 2nd period Mitch Pacey was called for a 5 minute fighting major, 2 minutes for instigating and a misconduct penalty when he went after Alberni Valley's Ryan Renz after the Express iced the puck. What resulted was the Bulldogs getting a 7 minute powerplay.

The Express penalty killers which has had some success in recent home games did a pretty admirable job considering the circumstances and killed off the first 5 minutes of the shorthanded situation before Sawyer Mick buried his own rebound to tie the game at 2. That goal would be the only damage inflicted on the Express considering the Bulldogs could score at will once the five minute major came into effect.

Alberni Valley's forechecking pressure resulted in the Dogs taking the lead before the period was done. Josh Mitchell pressured Mark Begert into a turnover and Mitchell fed Bailey who buried the feed for his second of the game to give the Bulldogs the lead going into the third.

Looking to snap their 4 game losing streak, Alberni Valley started strong in the third giving the Express some trouble coming out of their own end. As the period progressed however, the fatigue of a Bulldogs team playing their third game in 3 nights and a rested Express team having Saturday off saw Coquitlam turn up the heat in the latter half of the third period as they looked for the equalizer.

That equalizer came in the knick of time when Krgovich scored his buzzer beater to tie the game at 3. Krgovich has given the Express attack the boost expected when he was acquired from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. He has points in all 3 games he's dressed for the Express 2 goals and 2 assists.

Both teams had chances to win it in the 10 minutes of overtime played. 5 minutes 4 on 4 and 5 minutes 3 on 3, but nothing was decided. Khaleed Devji preserved the tie with his finest save in the 3 on 3 with a glove save off Casey Bailey as he made a bid for his 3rd of the game.

The Express goaltender was strong for them all week going undefeated in all 3 games stopping 109 of the 115 shots he faced.

The 5 points for the Express allowed them to remain tied with Alberni Valley for 5th place in the Coastal Conference with 25 points and the two teams sit just 2 points back of 4th place Victoria.

Mike Chan was stellar in the Express last tie game over 2 years ago stopping 41 of 44 shots including all 15 he faced in overtime in a 3-3 decision in Powell River September 6th 2008.

The Express are back in action Wednesday night in Langley.

CHIEFS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights from Coquitlam's 4-2 win over the Langley Chiefs Friday night.

Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

DEKANICH LOVES HIS DONUTS

The former Express has posted back to back shuouts for the Milwaukee Admirals. Here's the story on his run from their website.

http://www.milwaukeeadmirals.com/home/news/2010/11/1112LE.html

EXPRESS WIN A BEAUTY

What a game played between the Coquitlam Express and Langley Chiefs. Truly one of the most entertaining games you will ever see in the BCHL. What made it even better is the Express got the best of their top rival by a score of 4-2.

It was a game that was truly one of where it was unfortanate that one team had to lose.

Goaltenders Khaleed Devji for the Express and Wyatt Galley were outstanding. Both had their moments to shine with spectacular saves throughout the course of the game.

The game was scoreless until midway through the second period when Massimo Lamacchia took a feed from Jason Grecica in the corner and beat a sprawled out Wyatt Galley.

Langley quickly tied it just 1:44 later at 11:45 when Brendon Scholten chopped the puck between the legs of Devji.

Coquitlam looked to extended their lead before the period was done but Wyatt Galley made a fine save off Garrick Perry.

Khaleed Devji matched that save as he came to his right and made a fine right pad save.

The Chiefs took the lead for the first time on a 3rd period powerplay goal when Brad McBride jammed the puck at the net and after some discussion with referee Bryan Bourdon determined the puck was in.

Coquitlam pressed looking for the equalizer. Massimo Lamacchia had 3 great chances on the powerplay but was robbed by the Chiefs netminder.

Lamacchia however did get his revenge mid way through the third period when his slap shot from the circle was tipped over the shoulder of Galley to tie the game at 2.

Then 28 seconds later Alex Petan corralled a loose puck in the slot and wired home his 7th of the season and first goal in 8 games to give the Express the a 3-2 lead at 12:04. The goal for Petan capped a strong performance as he used his wheels effectively and was a strong energy performer all night.

Mike Krgovich then iced the game with an empty net goal for his first Express goal and second point in as many nights.

The win extended Coquitlam's winning streak to a pair of games.

Riley Mcintosh deserves recogntion for his strong performance. He blocked numerous shots. He wasn't alone in that department. Steve Axford, Garrick Perry will have ice packs on tonight after blocking a number Langley blasts.

The Express have a day of rest before playing host to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Sunday afternoon.

CLIPPERS @ EXPRESS HI-LITES

Here's the highlights from the Coquitlam's 3-1 win over the Nanaimo Clippers Wednesday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

A WIN IS A WIN

You don't get points in the standings for style, you do get points if you end up at the end of the game with more goals than the opposition, and that was the case for the Express in their 3-1 win over the Nanaimo Clippers.

Nanaimo out shot the Express 44-22 and Khaleed Devji came up with a strong performance as the Clips set the pace for most of the game. Devji earned his first star performance stopping all but one of the shots sent his way.

The win snapped the Express' 8 game losing streak. During the run, the Express had limited production from their top offensive weapons. I had made the point many times if Brad Reid and Destry Stragight among others had found the scoresheet more often in the last 8 games, the results for the Express would be different.

Both Reid and Straight found the back of the net in the 2nd period for their first goals in the last 9 games.

Click to here to listen to Reid's 2nd period goal
.

Click to here to listen to Straight's 2nd period goal
.

The goal for Reid extended his point streak to three games.

Mike Krgovich made his Express debut and had an assist on Destry Straight's 2nd period powerplay goal.

EXPRESS ACQUIRE KRGOVICH

The Express have had some trouble in the last 8 games getting scoring from their hired guns.

Today they did something to help rectify that problem picking up the rights to veteran and Coquitlam resident Mike Krgovich from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in exchange for forward Paul De Jersey and defenceman Justin Elliot.

This is the 2nd trade in a few weeks for Krgovich who was traded earlier this season by the Surrey Eagles in exchange for Josh Monk.

Krgovich put up 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points in 13 games with the Eagles then dressed for only a single game after his trade to the Silverbacks. Last season Krgovich was Surrey's representative at the All Star game. In his BCHL career he has 29 goals and 85 points in 105 games.

De Jersey played parts of 3 seasons with the Express tallying just 4 goals and 8 points in 60 games.

Elliot was in his first season on the Express blueline and didn't register a point in 19 games.

Krgovich is an accomplished lacrosse player as well winning the Minto Cup Canadian Junior A championship with the Coquitlam Adanacs this past summer. He will make his Express debut Wednesday night when the Express host the Nanaimo Clippers.

STRAIGHT FEATURED ON INSIDE BCHL

Bernie Pascall's first feature of the season is on Express star Destry Straight.

Click on the link to see the feature.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/bchl/2010_11_inside_videos_player_DestryStraight.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413

A BLOWOUT & A HEART BREAKER FOR EXPRESS

It's been weeks since the Express last tasted victory.

This weekend the Express were dropped 8-2 in Westside on Friday, and 5-4 in overtime in Salmon Arm on Saturday.

Friday's game started well for the Express with Jason Grecica scoring the Express' 2nd powerplay goal in their last 26 powerplay opportunites.

The lead however didn't last long and within a few minutes they were trailing after goals by Kyle Singleton and former Express Matt Ridley.

The second period saw the Express have some chances but couldn't finish them and the Warriors had extended their lead to 4-2.

Then the Warriors blew the game wide open in the third with 4 goals. 2 on the powerplay and a beautiful one on one shorthanded effort by Alex Grieve dangling past Massimo Lamacchia and using a strong second effort to poke the puck past Khaleed Devji.

The final score was a whitewash for the Warriors 8-2.

24 hours and a team meeting post game later the Express looked to bounce back in Salmon Arm.

The first period was far from an oil painting. In the final minute Destry Stright was called for delay of game covering up the puck in the Express zone.

On that powerplay, David Killip took a cross ice pass and roofed a shot over Khaleed Devji to give Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead with just 1.8 seconds remaining in the 1st period.

The second period was a much different story as the game opened up.

Garrick Perry added his second goal in as many nights and was followed 29 seconds later with Justin Georgeson's first BCHL goal as he used his strength and powered his way to the net and slid the puck home.

That lead lasted just under 5 minutes as Josh Manson wired a point shot past a screened Devji to tie the game at 2.

Coquitlam re-stored their lead just over a minute later as Jason Grecica put a perfect feed on the stick of Steve Axford who converted the 2 on 1.

Again that lead didn't last long. Are you sensing a trend here?

Again it was Josh Manson with a point shot this time that was tipped in front of Devji by Devin Gannnon to tie the game at 3. The goal coming just 2:16 after Axford's marker.

In the third Matt Cassidy gave the Silverbacks the lead on a pretty passing play converting a cross crease feed for Salmon Arm's second powerplay goal of the night.

The Express were given one last shot to tie the game when Bryce Gervais was given a holding penalty which was followed by a unsportsmanlike conduct and a game misconduct giving the Express a 4 minute powerplay with just under 5 minutes remaining.

Coquitlam took advantage of the opportunity with Alex Petan putting a perfect pass on the tape of Malcom Mckinney who slid it home to tie the game at 4.

This back and forth affair between the 2001 expansion cousins went to overtime.

The game was quickly decided when David Killip who opened the scoring, finished the proceedings when he slid the puck under Devji for his second of the night at 1:51 of the first overtime.

The loss was dropped Coquitlam to 0-4 in overtime this season. All 4 extra time setbacks have come on the road. Coquitlam has now dropped 8 consecutive games with 3 of them decided in overtime and 5 of them by a single goal.

Coquitlam has played a total of 486:49 of game play in the last 8 games. Of that time, only 44:05 of that time has been played with the lead.

The Express will look to bounce back Wednesday night in a big game vs. the Nanaimo Clippers.

EXPRESS TOP 10 - MOMENT 8

Moment 8 in the countdown is the Express making the playoffs in their first season in 01-02.

Click to hear the feature
.

TURRIS CONTINUING TO IMPROVE

Here's an article on the improvement of the former Express from the Arizona Republic.

Phoenix Coyotes' Kyle Turris constantly looking to improve

9 comments by Sarah McLellan - Nov. 1, 2010 11:07 PM
The Arizona Republic

"Where's Turry?" Coyotes assistant coach Dave King hollered as Monday's practice adjourned and players went their separate ways to participate in individual drills before leaving the ice for the locker room.

King stood at center ice with forward Petr Prucha and, once Kyle Turris skated to the faceoff dot, Turris and Prucha practiced a puck-protection drill where they took turns shielding the puck with their body from the other player.

"Keep going," King yelled repeatedly, encouraging the intensity.

This is typical of Turris, practicing long after head coach Dave Tippett has dismissed his players. He works on faceoffs, perfects his shot and is usually one of the last to leave the ice.

"There's always something to improve on," Turris said.

Improvement has been the theme of Turris' game since he was inserted into the lineup by Tippett for the team's home opener against the Detroit Red Wings. Since then, he's played every game and contributed on the score sheet. Turris has four points, and his three goals put him tied for first in that category among his teammates.

"I feel like a completely different player," Turris said. "I feel like I can control the puck and not rush my decisions, hold on to it and try and make plays like I can."

This is the Turris everyone expected two seasons ago when he was a rookie playing nearly an entire season with the Coyotes. But even Turris admits transitioning into an NHL lineup as a 19-year-old was a challenge he couldn't prepare for. Camp was tough, he wasn't sure of his rank on the depth chart, and he was nervous.

"I was always worried about getting sent down and whether I was gonna play the next night," he said. "I just never found my comfort zone."

Three years removed from his draft year where he was taken third overall and Turris thinks he's finally found it. And considering the status of the other players taken in the first round of that 2007 draft, Turris is right on schedule.

Turris is one of 16 first-round picks from 2007 who have played in the NHL, but only seven of those players have played more than Turris, who has 74 games under his belt.

The standouts have been first overall pick Patrick Kane with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, David Perron as a member of the St. Louis Blues, and Sam Gagner of the Edmonton Oilers.

Second overall pick James Van Riemsdyk is in just his second full year with the Philadelphia Flyers, fourth pick Thomas Hickey is still playing for the Los Angeles Kings' AHL squad, and fifth pick Karl Alzner has been shuffled between the Washington Capitals and AHL for the past two seasons.

"Everybody has their own path to the NHL, and I think everybody's done it different ways," Turris said. "From Kane getting an opportunity right away and going in right after the draft and playing a ton and kind of learning as he went.

"Van Riemsdyk going a couple years of college, coming out and he's getting his opportunity now . . . and now Hickey's in the (AHL) still and working to get there."

With recent first-round picks such as John Tavares and Matt Duchene from the 2009 class and Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin from this year's draft making the jump right to the professional level, NHL-ready players might be the expectation but not the reality. Even after Turris finished at the University of Wisconsin before joining the Coyotes for the 2008-09 season, he wasn't physically ready for the rigors of the NHL.

"When he was drafted, everybody saw potential," King said. "He was a prospect. They all recognized right away he had a pretty good head on his shoulders, really a smart, smart player. But everybody knew that he was physically not there yet.

"So when you draft a player like that, I think your plans are you know it's going to take some time. You know there's gong to be a maturation process where he, naturally, as a human, gets a little bit stronger, bigger."

Now Turris is stronger on the puck and his balance has improved - something King credits to Turris' year of seasoning in the AHL with the Coyotes' minor league affiliate in San Antonio.

Turris "got his confidence back up and more time with the puck and more possession with the puck, and you can see that's really helped him a lot," King said.

Turris' journey to the NHL has been "unique," King said, and he's finally at the point where his physical strength is on par with his vision and understanding of the game.

Turris agrees and plans to continue working on the niche he's carved with the Coyotes this season.

"I really feel like I've found it here," he said.

EXPRESS HOME GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Better later than never, but here's the highlights of Surrey's 3-1 win over the Express Wednesday night. And below is the highlights from Powell River's 2-1 win.

Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

NHL CONSIDERING BCHL OT FORMAT?

I personally am a huge supporter of the BCHL's overtime format that sees 5 minutes played at 4 on 4, then an additional 5 minutes played 3 on 3 with any penalties in the 3 on 3 resulting in penalty shots.

When the NHL announced they were adopting shootouts to solve tie games following a 5 minute 4 on 4 overtime I was dissapointed. I prefer tie games to be decided in a manner that closely resembles actual game play.

I hoped the NHL would adopt the BCHL's overtime format and then go to a shootout as a last resort. The shootout can be exciting and dramatic. Just ask the Rangers and Flyers who decided who was going to the playoffs in the skills contest on the final day of the season last year.

This past summer during the a summer camp in Toronto, the NHL tried a number of tweaks to the game that may or may not be seen in NHL games in the future.

At that camp a similar overtime format to the BCHL's was looked at with four minutes of 4 on 4 and an additional four minutes of 3 on 3.

Now I read today that the NHL is taking a little closer look at that format.

Here's an article on the topic from Sunday's Vancouver Province.

Junior A league introduced revised format in 2000-01

BY JIM JAMIESON, THE PROVINCE OCTOBER 31, 2010

The Canucks are finally getting around to working on their shootout skills, but it seems the league may be looking at de-emphasizing the breakaway competition to decide tied games.

Detroit GM Ken Holland is proposing changes to the NHL's current overtime rules where teams play four aside for five minutes before going to the shootout if no winner has been determined.

Holland's suggestion is to go to an eight-minute overtime, with the first four minutes at four-on-four and the second four minutes three-on-three.

A shootout would still be held if no goal is scored.

The idea, of course, is that if four-on-four doesn't produce a winner, then three-on-three certainly will.

Interestingly, the concept is a variation of the OT system used by the B.C. Hockey League since the 2000-01 season.

The BCHL instead uses a 10-minute overtime, with the first five minutes at four-on-four and the next five at three-a-side.

What happens if there is a penalty during the three-on-three?

It's a penalty shot.

The idea came from Dr. Duncan Wray, the longtime owner/governor of the Vernon Vipers. Apparently, he made the proposal two times before it was accepted by BCHL governors.

The BCHL does't do shootouts and the OT format certainly doesn't leave many tie games. Last season, the junior league played 510 games and only seven resulted in ties.

"I never really liked the shootout," said Wray. "We had it in the 1990s and I think it took us three years to win one. To me a shootout is like settling a baseball game with a home-run derby. Ken Holland asked me about it a couple of years ago, so that might be where this comes from."

Canucks forward Jeff Tambellini's played in the BCHL when the system was first introduced.

"There were not too many ties," he said. "The game opens up so much when you get to three-on-three. It's pretty exciting and sooner or later somebody is going to score. It's fun to watch."

Even though Tambellini is an excellent shootout player, he said he still prefers to win a game the traditional way.

"I like to win a game in overtime," he said. "It feels that much better."

Canucks captain Henrik Sedin is leery of the extra three minutes that would be added onto OT in an already long and demanding season.

"I would like a game to be decided playing hockey," he said. "But that's an extra three minutes. That's a long time [to add]. A three-on-three is almost like a shootout -- you'd have a guy going down and shooting and, if he misses, it's a two-on-one the other way. It's exciting but it's a lottery just the same."

Goaltender Roberto Luongo said he doesn't really care either way.

"Shootouts are fun, except when you lose," he said. "I think the fans enjoy it. Three-on-three, I don't know what it would look like, really. I know when we do that in practice for fun there's a lot of ice out there and a lot of scoring chances. It really doesn't matter to me."



Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/three+three+decide+overtime/3754341/story.html#ixzz13yvhdioA>

ANOTHER ONE GOAL LOSS FOR EXPRESS

The streak has hit 6, losses that is for Coquitlam. It was another tight game that saw the Express fall one goal short in a 2-1 set back to the Powell River Kings.

It's amazing how things have changed for this Express team. Not too long ago we were talking about a team that was averaging 7 goals for per game during a 4 game stretch.

Now they have scored 1 goal in each of their last 3 games.

The Express knew they were facing one of their toughest challenges of the season. The Kings entered the contest as the best defensive team in the BCHL. Powell River has allowed just 34 goals this season for a team goals against average of 1.8.

Coquitlam knew they had to bury the few chances that they would get. And goaltender Luke Hernandez had to have one of his best performances of the season that allowed his team to have a chance to win.

Powell River opened the scoring on Jon Jutzi's screened point shot that beat Hernandez to the short side.

Jason Grecica thought he pulled the Express even midway through the first, but he contacted the puck with a high stick just before he put it in the net.

Riley Mcintosh tallied for the Express just before the period was done when he jumped into the rush and wired a wrist shot past Micheal Garteig for his 3rd goal of the season.

The game remained tied at one until early in the 3rd period.

With Matt Mazzarolo sitting in the penalty box for hooking, Powell River won the ensuing faceoff and Mike Sones tipped Justin Dasilva's point shot past a screened Hernandez to give Powell River a 2-1 lead.

Coquitlam had a great chance to pull even when they had a two man advantage for a full two minutes.

The Express couldn't convert on the glorious opportunity as they looked for the perfect play which never truly materialized.

The Kings killed off the powerplay and killed the Express' chances at a comeback. That capped a night that saw the Express go 0 for 5 on the powerplay. Now the man advantage is a frigid 1 for 26 in the last 5 games.

Special teams continues to be a difference maker for the Express. The penalty killing has been pretty solid as of late. However, the game winning goal did come on a powerplay.

The penalty killing has killed of 21 of the last 25 shorthanded situations.

At this point of the season the question becomes, where has the offence gone? The Express top offensive weapons for the most part have disappeared.

Veteran Brad Reid who is second in team scoring has just 1 assist in his last 5 games. And he has just one goal in his last 8 games.

Destry Straight has just 2 assists since his 3 goal 1 assist performance 6 games ago. A 7-5 win in Surrey.

Garrick Perry is pointless in his last 3 games, 1 assist in his last 4, and 1 goal in his last 6 games.

Jason Grecica has just 1 assist in his last 4 games. And is goal less in 5.

Massimo Lamacchia was doing his part to contribute, but now he has no points in his last 2 games.

Those are the top 5 goal scorers on the Express and a fair amount of the offensive responsibility falls on their shoulders.

I can guarantee you that if their names were seen more regularly on the scoresheet in the last 6 games, we wouldn't be discussing a losing streak this long.

Then when you consider that 4 of the 6 games during this losing streak have been decided by one goal. And another was a two goal game that was iced with an empty net marker.

It's not time to panic and make drastic changes, a break or two and if there was some finish with these chances the Express fortunes will turn around.

At some point however, the moral victories can no longer be tolerated and results are required. Right now the Express aren't getting the results they need.

I want to make it clear that the Express aren't getting poorly out played every single night. However, this run is having an impact on the Express positioning in the standings. They have now dropped to 6th place in the Coastal Conference. And the Nanaimo Clippers in 7th aren't that far behind just 4 points back with 3 games in hand.

The Express now have a week to prepare for a 2 game Interior road trip to Westside and Salmon Arm starting Friday.

EXPRESS DESERVED BETTER IN LOSS TO EAGLES

It was the Express' 5th straight loss, but they deserved a much better fate in a 3-1 setback to the Surrey Eagles.

Surrey did get off to a good start leading 2-0 after 20 minutes. Mitchell Deacon scored the Express lone goal in the 2nd period to cut the lead to one.

But the story was the third period from an Express point of view.

They were all over the Surrey Eagles. Coquitlam had some unreal scoring chances, but somehow couldn't put a second puck past Andrew Hunt. Austin Carroll, Brad Reid, Riley Mcintosh had chances that still have me shaking my head how none of them went in.

Eagles captain Tyler Morley put a dagger in the heart of the Express sealing the win for the visitors with an empty net goal.

Special teams was good and bad for the Express. The good was killing off all 5 shorthanded situations. Including a pair of 5 on 3 shorthanded situations.

The Express penalty killing is having its best run of the season. Wednesday's game was the 4th time in the last 5 outings the Express have been perfect on the penalty killing. They have killed off 17 of 20 shorthanded situations in that time.

But the powerplay had another poor outing going 0 or 5. The powerplay is just 1 for 21 in the last 4 games.

The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Express Friday night as they welcome Powell River to town. The Kings sit tied for top spot in the Coastal Conference with 26 points. And their BCHL best 33 goals allowed isn't a welcome sight for a club struggling to score goals.

CURRENT EXPRESS MEET FORMER EXPRESS

Yesterday the Express had a chance to go down to Rogers Arena to watch the Colorado Avalanche game day skate. And have a word with Express alumni David Jones and Brandon Yip now regulars with the Avalanche.

Here's a great article from today's Vancouver Province.

It was a familiar scene for Brandon Yip and David Jones at Rogers Arena on Tuesday morning, the NHL players meeting members of the Junior A Coquitlam Express.

Except last time Yip and Jones went through it, they were the pups with the Express and Brendan Morrison was the NHLer.

"It was always cool to come down and watch the guys warm up and see both teams," the 26-year-old Jones said after the Avs morning skate Tuesday.

"It's crazy to think that not too long ago that was me up in the stands and now we're playing here.

"Absolutely I remember coming down to the rink and watching the pregame skate," the 25-year-old Yip added. "It was a pretty cool experience."

Yip played hockey in Maple Ridge, Jones in North Van minor, and both are former Express captains.

Both were drafted way, way down the board, Yip in the eighth round in 2004, Jones in the ninth in 2003.

Those rounds don't even exist any more.

Jones, taken with the fifth-last pick at No. 288 (the Canucks passed three picks earlier), has the added honour of being the lowest draft pick of the Nordiques/ Avalanche franchise to actually play in the NHL.

"But you know what?" Jones said. "It was really exciting. I had no idea I was going to get drafted.

"I got a call from my mom and she said, 'You got drafted, what does that mean?'

"I was like, 'Wow -- that's amazing.' "

The Avs, in fact, had a heated argument about whom to take with that last pick in 2003.

Scout Glen Cochrane, the former Canuck and Flyer, insisted it be Jones and, as others argued against him Cochrane phoned Express GM Darcy Rota around 8 a.m. Vancouver time.

"Glen really believed in David, that he'd one day play in the NHL," said Rota, in the stands with his players for Tuesday morning's Avs skate. "He said to me, 'Darcy, tell me again about David Jones.' I said, 'Glen, you and I have talked so many times about this player -- take him.' "

Jones and Yip are among five Avs who played their minor hockey in the Lower Mainland, but only Scott Hannan (23rd overall in 1997) was drafted higher than the seventh round.

"I just kept focusing on getting to the next level," Yip said.

Jones was 2-1-3 recently against Detroit and is trying to put a dismal season last year behind him: When he suffered a season-ending knee injury on Nov. 28, 2009, he was second on the team in goals (10 in 23 games), and led the Avs in game winners (three) and short-handed goals (two).

Yip had 11 goals in 32 games last season, and jumped out of the gate at 1-1-2 plus a shootout winner in his first three games this season before a pulled groin slowed him down.

"There's no secret to Yip's game," said Avs head coach Joe Sacco.

"He's a hard-working guy, he's got to be a real thorn in the side of the opposition, that has to be his game.

"And he's got the ability to put the puck in the net at times."

Up in the stands there was a junior GM bursting with pride. gordshockey@twitter.com/ gmacsports

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Scene+familiar+positions+reversed/3732498/story.html#ixzz13aqlRdZ6

TURRIS SCORES FIRST GOALS OF SEASON

The former Express scored his first two goals of the season Saturday night as the Coyotes erased a 3-0 third period deficit to the Carolina Hurricanes before falling 4-3 in overtime.

Click below for a post game interview with Turris.

http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/podcastplayer.htm?pid=335&iid=24946&navid=DL|PHX|home

PERRY COMMITS TO ALASKA-FAIRBANKS

The Coquitlam Express are pleased to announce the NCAA commitment for the 2011/2012 season of Garrick Perry to Alaska Fairbanks.

"We are extremely proud for Perry as he has been a great leader for the program" says Head Coach and Director of Hockey operations Jon Calvano, "he has shown tremendous loyalty throughout his three years with the Express."

Perry will join fellow Express alumni Carlo Finucci. Finucci is currently in his third year at Alaska Fairbanks and played on the 2006 Burnaby Express Royal Bank Cup Championship team and the following year.

Alaska Fairbanks is a Division 1 school and currently ranked 9th in College Hockey Polls.

STRAIGHT & DEACON LISTED AS PLAYERS TO WATCH

NHL Central Scouting released it's first list of NHL propsects to watch for June's draft in Minnesota.

Rookies Destry Straight and Mitchell Deacon were both listed among the 7 BCHL players on the list.

Straight is listed as an "A" prospect. Or a must see player who could either be a first or second round pick.

The 17 year old has gotten off to a fantastic start to his BCHL career. He is currently tied with Brad Reid for the team lead in scoring with 22 points in 15 games.

"It's a fantastic recognition for Destry and for the Express organization," head coach Jon Calvano says. "Destry has the ability to make plays at a high speed and he's got great vision. He's got an impressive skill set and he's shown very quickly that he has the ability to succeed at this level.

Mitchell Deacon is listed as a "C" prospect. Or projected as a player that could be selected as a late round selection.

Deacon has 2 goals in 12 games this season. His 6'3 size is what NHL teams are looking at as a possible NHL draft pick come June.

The other 5 players listed include 4 Trail Smoke Eaters, Sam Mellor "B" prospect, Travis St. Denis, Joey Baker and Eric Walker "C" prospects. Westside defenceman Micheal King rounds out the list as a "B" prospect.