EAGLES PUT EXPRESS ON BRINK

It was by far the chippiest game of the three we've seen in the series. It was also the most lopsided game on the scoreboard as the Surrey Eagles trounced the Express 7-1 in game 3 taking a 3-0 strangle hold on the series.

The nastiness between the two teams began in the opening minute when public enemy #1 for the Surrey Eagles Mitchell Deacon hit defenceman Riley Sweeeney in the corner boards leaving the defenceman bloodied up and needing to head to the room for repairs. Sweeney did return in the second period.

That set the tone for what would be a very chippy first two periods between the two clubs.

Game 3 wasn't much different from the first two games. Surrey's powerplay produced, the Express' didn't. Surrey's top players found the scoresheet, the Express' didn't. Only difference was Surrey's depth chipped in a little more offensively.

The Eagles top line of Richard Vanderhoek, Scott Holm and Bradley McGowan combined for 5 points. 2 goals and 3 assists.

Again, special teams played a deciding role in this game in favour of Surrey. The Eagles went 2 for 5 on the powerplay. And they killed off all 9 Express powerplays. That included 3 separate 5 on 3's. The Express are now 0 for 19 on the powerplay in the first three games of this series. To add a little more salt in the Express' powerplay wounds, Tyler Morley and Robert Lindores shorthanded goals in the second period to blow the game open. Lindores finished with a pair of goals. Jeff Vanderlugt also scored for the Eagles.

Khaleed Devji was pulled in the second period after allowing 4 goals on 22 shots. Billy McGladrey turned aside 12 of 15 shots in just over 30 minutes of action. Karel St. Laurent again was solid in the Eagles crease turning aside 23 of 24 Express shots.

The Express will look to avoid being swept in a playoff series for the first time in franchise history in game 4 Tuesday night in Coquitlam.

EXPRESS PLAYS OF THE YEAR

Click on the media player below to re-live some of the best moments from this past regular season for the Express.

Click to here to listen to the plays of the year.

EXPRESS TOP 10 - MOMENT 1

Today we look back to May 14 2006 when the Express knocked off the Yorkton Terriers 8-2 to win the Royal Bank Cup Canadian Junior A National Championship.

Click to here to listen to the feature.

EXPRESS RETURN HOME EMPTY HANDED

Game 2 was much more one sided as the Eagles cruised to a 4-1 win over the Express to take a 2-0 series lead.

Like game one, Surrey's top line of Bradley McGowan, Richard Vanderhoek and Scott Holm did most of the damage for the Eagles. Richard Vanderhoek scored twice while Bradley McGowan had 1 goal and 2 assists and Scott Holm had a helper. They combined for 3 goals and 3 assists for 6 points. So far through the first two games of this series they have scored 6 goals and 7 assists for 13 points.

It wasn't all good news for Bradley McGowan. He left the game in the third period after hurting his right leg when he collided with an open gate as Cody Castro was exiting the penalty box.

This series is one that sees Surrey's best players out gunning the best the Express have to offer. Massimo Lamacchia and Destry Straight each have two points. But Mike Krgovich, Jason Grecica are among many others who are still looking for their first points of the series.

Surrey is clearly winning the special teams battle after the first two games. They're 3 for 8 on the powerplay, and have killed off all 10 Express powerplays.

Khaleed Devji was one of the few bright spots for the Express as he turned aside 40 of the 44 shots sent his way. The score would have been much more lopsided were it not for Devji's strong play. At the other end of the rink Karel St. Laurent wasn't tested all that much turning aside 25 of 26 Express shots. Alex Petan was the only player to get a puck past the Eagles netminder in the third period.

What stood out in this game was Surrey's puck possession and willingness to win the battles for pucks then not give it up when it was on their stick. The Express were chasing the play for most of the night.

The Express will hope the comforts of home will help them get back into the series. Game 3 goes Monday night.

EAGLES TAKE SERIES LEAD

The Surrey Eagles took a 1-0 series lead over the Express with a 4-2 win to open the best of 7 series.

The Eagles top line of Bradley McGowan, Richard Vanderhoek and Scott Holm led the offensive attack for the Eagles. They combined for 3 goals and 4 assists. Tyler Morley had the other Surrey goal.

Massimo Lamacchia scored one Express goal and assisted on the other one by Riley Mcintosh.

It was a fairly evenly played game for the entire contest. Surrey out shot the Express 39-35. Despite the loss, the Express can be pretty satisfied with the way they played.

The difference in the game was the production of the Eagles top line. And they were able to strike once on the powerplay while the Express weren't able to convert on the three powerplays they had.

Tyler Morley's game winning powerplay goal was a thing of beauty as he re-directed a pass from below the goal line and got it past Khaleed Devji. Bradley McGowan got a fortunate break for the insurance marker as his backhand pass in front went off of Riley Mcintosh who was hustling back tying up Richard Vanderhoek going to the net midway through the third period.

Game two goes Saturday night in Surrey with the Express looking to even up the series before it heads to Coquitlam for game 3 Monday night.

SILVERBACKS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of the Express' season closing 10-5 win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.



Highlights courtesy of Patrick Haas of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

EXPRESS VS. EAGLES BY THE NUMBERS

Here's how the two teams compare vs. each other this past season....

TOP 5 SCORERS 10-11 SEASON

EXPRESS				EAGLES
Massimo Lamacchia	35G	39A	74PTS	Bradley McGowan	36G	53A	89PTS
Destry Straight	26G	41A	67PTS	Richard Vandoerhoek	26G	45A	71PTS
Jason Grecica	21G	34A	55PTS	Jeff Vanderlugt	24G	21A	45PTS
Mike Krgovich	21G	23A	44PTS	Mitch Jones	11G	31	42PTS
Garrick Perry	19G	24A	43PTS	Daniel Gentzler	15G	25A	40PTS
GOALIE STATS 10-11 SEASON
EXPRESS				EAGLES
Khaleed Devji	18-24-1	1 SO	3.98 GAA	Karel. St. Laurent	19-12-1	1 SO	2.74 GAA
			88.72 SV.%				91.64 SV.%
Billy McGladrey	1-2	0 SO	4.63 GAA	Andrew Hunt	9-6-0	1 SO	2.94 GAA
			86.79 SV.%				91.46 SV. %
SPECIAL TEAMS STATISTICS COQ. PP – 25.27% - 5th in BCHL SRY. PP – 24.78% - 6th in BCHL SRY. PK – 77.64% - 10th in BCHL COQ. PK – 72.35% - 14th in BCHL HEAD TO HEAD RECORDS Coquitlam – 5-5-0-2 12PTS Sep. 24 @ CQ 4-2 W Sep. 26 @ SRY 7-3 L Sep. 29 @ CQ 5-1 W Oct. 8 @ CQ 7-3 W Oct. 13 @ SRY 7-5 W Oct. 22 @ SRY 5-1 L Oct. 27 @ CQ 3-1 L Dec. 1 @ SRY 4-3 OTL Dec. 8 @ SRY 5-4 OTL Feb. 2 @ CQ 5-2 L Feb. 16 @ SRY 7-3 L Feb. 18 @ CQ 7-4 W Surrey – 7-5-0-0 14PTS Sep. 24 @ CQ 4-2 L Sep. 26 @ SRY 7-3 W Sep. 29 @ CQ 5-1 L Oct. 8 @ CQ 7-3 L Oct. 13 @ SRY 7-5 l Oct. 22 @ SRY 5-1 W Oct. 27 @ CQ 3-1 W Dec. 1 @ SRY 4-3 W Dec. 8 @ SRY 5-4 W Feb. 2 @ CQ 5-2 W Feb. 16 @ SRY 7-3 W Feb. 18 @ CQ 7-4 L HEAD TO HEAD SPECIAL TEAMS STATISTICS COQ. PP vs. SRY – 21/71 – 29.58% SRY PP vs. COQ – 17/60 – 28.33% SRY PK vs. COQ – 70.42% COQ PK vs. SRY – 71.67% INDIVIDUAL HEAD TO HEAD STATISTICS
Express vs. Eagles Eagles vs. Express

Destry Straight	8G	10A	18PTS	Richard Vanderhoek	6G	8A	14PTS
Massimo Lamacchia	6G	8A	14PTS	Bradley McGowan	4G	10A	14PTS
Jason Grecica	6G	6A	12PTS	Jeff Vanderlugt	6G	5A	11PTS
Garrick Perry	4G	7A	11PTS	Tyler Morley	3G	8A	11PTS
Jared Eng	3G	8A	11PTS	Riley Sweeney	4G	6A	10PTS

Riley Mcintosh

3G

5A

8PTS

Scott Holm

5G

5A

10PTS

Alex Petan	3G	5A	8PTS	Daniel Gentzler	2G	6A	8PTS
Malcom Mckinney	3G	2A	5PTS	Mitch Jones	1G	7A	8PTS

GOALTENDER HEAD TO HEAD STATISTICS
Khaleed Devji	4-4	0 SO	4.85 GAA	Karel St. Laurent	4-0	0 SO	2.93 GAA
			87.57 SV.%				89.91 SV.%
Billy McGladrey	Did not play vs. SRY			Andrew Hunt	3-3	0 SO	3.51 GAA
							89.5 SV.%

STRAIGHT WINS COASTAL CONFERENCE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

The BCHL named it's award winners for the now completed 2010-11 regular season.

Coquitlam's Destry Straight is the Coastal Conference rookie of the year. The 17 year old from West Vancouver had a fine first season in the BCHL finishing second in Express scoring with 26 goals and 67 points, he secured a scholarship to Boston College and represented the Express at the CJHL Top Prospects game in Dauphin Manitoba in December.

Straight is the third Express player to win the Coastal Conference rookie of the year award. Joining Kyle Turris in 2006 and Brett Hemingway in 2002.

Here's the full list of BCHL award winners for this season.

Vern Dye Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player)
Coastal Conference – Matt Garbowsky, Powell River
Interior Conference – Joey Laleggia, Penticton

Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
Coastal Conference – Destry Straight, Coquitlam
Interior Conference – Bryce Gervais, Salmon Arm

Top Defenceman Award
Coastal Conference – Justin Dasilva, Powell River
Interior Conference – Joey Laleggia, Penticton

Bob Fenton Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike Player)
Coastal Conference – Brad McGowan, Surrey
Interior Conference – Grayson Downing, Westside

Joe Tenant Memorial Trophy (Coach of the Year)
Coastal Conference – Kent Lewis, Powell River
Interior Conference – Tim Kehler, Salmon Arm

Non-voting trophies are as follows:
Brett Hull Trophy (Top Scorer) – Mike Hammond, Salmon Arm (93 points)
Goaltending Award (For lowest goals-against average with minimum of 1000 minutes played) –
Michael Garteig, Powell River (1.69* New BCHL record)
Wally Forslund Memorial Trophy (For goalie tandem with lowest combined goals-against
average) – Michael Garteig/Sean Maguire, Powell River (1.88)
Ron Boileau Memorial Trophy (Regular Season Champions) – Powell River Kings

LAMACCHIA BCHL POW. GRECICA HONOURABLE MENTION

Coquitlam Express forward Massimo Lamacchia is the British Columbia Hockey League's Player of the Week for the week ending February 20, the league announced Monday.

With Coquitlam needing a win last weekend to qualify for the playoffs, the Vaughn, Ont. native was at his best as he notched five goals and four assists in three games. He also earned a pair of first star nods.

In the playoff-spot-clinching victory, Lamacchia had a goal and three helpers as the Express downed the Surrey Eagles 7-4. The Brown University commit then went off for a hat trick and one assist in a 10-5 romp over the Salmon Arm SilverBacks.

Lamacchia finishes the regular season wth 74 points, most on the Express and 10th in the BCHL.

Honourable mentions this week go to Coquitlam Express forward Jason Grecica (three games, one goal, eight assists), Westside Warriors forward Quinn Gould (three games, two goals, five assists, one 1st Star, one 2nd Star), and Vernon Vipers forward Bryce Kakoske (three games, two goals, four assists, one 2nd Star).

EXPRESS 10-11 AWARD WINNERS

As is tradition, the Express handed out their year end awards prior to Sunday's game vs. Salmon Arm.

Here are your honorees.

Rookie of the year - Destry Straight

Top Forward - Massimo Lamacchia

MVP - Riley Mcintosh

Top Defenceman - Riley Mcintosh

Unsung Hero - Jason Grecica

Most Popular - Garrick Perry

Scholastic and Community involvement- Garrick Perry

Most improved - Khaleed Devji

EXPRESS HIT DOUBLE DIGITS VS. SILVERBACKS

The Express ended the season with a bang Sunday putting 10 on the board vs. their expansion cousins the Salmon Arm Silverbacks with a 10-5 win.

Massimo Lamacchia led the way with his second hat-trick of the season and an assist. He had 5 goals and 4 assists for 9 points in three games this week. BCHL Player of the week nod? Destry Straight and Mitchell Deacon in just his second game back from injury each scored twice, and Jason Grecica had 4 helpers.

Austin Carroll continued his strong play to finish the season with a career high 1 goal and 3 assist performance. He had 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in his final 4 games of the season. He and his linemates Jake Charles and Malcom Mckinney have given the Express some good third line minutes down the stretch. Their strong play would be a welcome help to the Express if it resumes when the playoffs begin Friday in Surrey.

The Express chased Silverbacks goaltender Kris Moore after Lamacchia completed his hat-trick just 11 seconds into the third period. Moore surrendered 7 goals on 24 shots.

Moore's replacement Kurt Williams didn't fare much better as he allowed Cody Castro to snap home his first Express goal just 39 seconds after Lamacchia's third tally. Williams went on to let in two more Express goals in the third period.

Billy McGladrey gave Khaleed Devji a much needed game off and stopped 41 shots for his first BCHL win. Devji had appeared in 31 straight games, starting 29 of them for the Express dating back to November 27th vs. Penticton.

Mike Hammond added to his BCHL scoring championship totals with 1 goal and 2 assists. He finished the season with 93 points splitting the season with Cowichan Valley and Salmon Arm.

The game marked the first game that Brad Reid, Paul De Jersey and Justin Elliott played against their former team after being sent to Salmon Arm in two separate deals earlier this season. Brad Reid had one assist on a late third period powerplay goal for Morgan Zulinick.

The loss for Salmon Arm prevented them from securing second place in the Interior conference. They finished third and will play Merritt in the first round of the playoffs.

The Express finished the season scoring 17 goals in their last two games. The 10 goals was the first time the Express hit double digits since setting a franchise record with 12 goals vs. Powell River on October 21, 2006. That game also saw the Express set what is likely a franchise record 8 first period goals.

EAGLES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of the Express' 7-4 win over Surrey that helped them clinch a playoff berth.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

EXPRESS RETURN TO PLAYOFFS

You can punch the Express' ticket the playoffs! They're in the dance with a 7-4 win over the Surrey Eagles combined with Powell River knocking off Cowichan Valley 7-6 in overtime.

It marks a return to the playoffs for the Express after missing each of the previous two seasons in Burnaby.

Friday the Express never trailed vs. Surrey. They got off to a good start with Riley Mcintosh opening the scoring just 58 seconds into the contest. That goal set off what would be a back and forth game for most of the night.

Surrey quickly countered with Bradley McGowan adding to his BCHL leading point total for the moment when he snapped a quick wrist shot past Khaleed Devji just 1:57 after Riley Mcintosh's goal.

Alex Petan put the Express back in front when he picked up a loose puck and lifted a backhand past Andrew Hunt at 6:34.

Jake Charles finished off a poised play by Austin Carroll to set up Jake Charles who scored just his second goal of the season early in the 2nd period to put the Express up by two. The assist for Carroll was his third point in as many games.

Surrey again had a reply when Riley Sweeney rushed the puck up the ice and snapped a quick shot past Devji.

The Eagles then got themselves into penalty trouble that saw Bradley McGowan get called for interference. In addition, Jeff Vanderlugt was given a double minor for butt ending giving the Express a 5 on 3 for a full two minutes then an additional two minutes at 5 on 4.

Jared Eng and a patient Express powerplay made the Eagles pay as the Express defenceman blasted a powerplay goal in the second of the two penalties assessed to Vanderlugt putting the Express back up by a pair.

Just 51 seconds later it was back to a one goal game when Scott Holm stole the puck in the Express zone and snapped it home.

Surrey's parade to the penalty box resumed when Linden Saip was called for goaltender interference. Again the Express powerplay found pay dirt when Massimo Lamacchia snapped home a cross ice feed for his team leading 32nd goal of the season.

The Express took their 5-3 lead to the third. Surrey again pulled back within a goal when Daniel Gentzler's wrap around attempt went across to Brandon Morley who buried it at 6:28.

With a playoff spot hanging in the balance, Matt Hutchinson came up with a perfect time for his first goal of the season when his point shot bounced off an Eagles player past Andrew Hunt. Hutchinson had a strong game and was determined to not finish the season without a goal as he was firing the puck on a regular basis all night.

That goal gave the Express some much needed breathing room. Massimo Lamacchia finished off his 4 point night when he dropped the puck for Jason Grecica who put it into the empty net to seal the Express' win. Lamacchia finished with 1 goal and 3 assists.

After the game was over, there was still some nail biting left to do as Cowichan had a 4-3 lead by the time the Express game with Surrey came to an end. The finish at the Big Stick was dramatic a one as the Kings took a 5-4 lead before the Caps staved off elimination with Tyler Matheson scoring a powerplay goal with ten seconds left to send the game to overtime to keep the Caps playoff hopes alive for the time being at least.

Matt Garbowsky clinched the Express berth in the playoffs when he scored at 3:09 of the first overtime to give Powell River another dramatic 7-6 overtime win over the Caps. That result assured that Cowichan Valley will not catch the Express in points.

In the final 40 minutes the Express more than doubled the Eagles in shots 30-14 and finished the game out shooting the Eagles 37-23. The powerplay finished 2 for 4. And the team was disciplined taking just two minor penalties all game.

The Express will meet the Surrey Eagles in the first round of the playoffs. It will be the first time the two Lower Mainland clubs will meet in the post season.

Here is the playoff schedule for round 1.

Game 1 - Friday February 25 @ Surrey

Game 2 - Saturday February 26 @ Surrey

Game 3 - Monday February 28 @ Coquitlam

Game 4 - Tuesday March 1 @ Coquitlam

Game 5 - Thursday March 3 @ Surrey *If necessary

Game 6 - Friday March 4 @ Coquitlam *If necessary

Game 7 - Saturday March 5 @ Surrey *If necessary

EAGLES TOO MUCH FOR EXPRESS

The powerplay was one of the few things that went right for the Express in a 7-3 loss to the Surrey Eagles.

All three Express goals came on the powerplay, but one of Surrey's 7 goals also came while the Express were on the powerplay.

Surrey had little trouble with the Express with Robert Lindores scoring twice and 5 other Eagle players had multiple point nights as the Eagles won their 6 straight meeting with the Express.

The Eagles fired 48 shots on Khaleed Devji compared to 34 sent the way of Karel St. Laurent.

Destry Straight, Massimo Lamacchia and Alex Petan all scored with the extra man. But at even strength the Express weren't able to generate much.

The Express and Capitals remain in a stalemate in the race for the final playoff spot as the two teams still remain tied after Victoria knocked off Cowichan Valley 5-1.

Coquitlam and Surrey will play their second of a home and home Friday night in Coquitlam. Cowichan Valley will wrap up their season and home Friday to the Powell River Kings.

EXPRESS AND CAPS GOING DOWN TO THE WIRE

When the Express and the Capitals hit the ice on Friday, the two teams were tied for the 7th and final playoff spot. Monday both teams wake up knowing that nothing has changed after they both went 1-2 on a three game weekend.

Friday saw the Express get a strong performance from Khaleed Devji, Massimo Lamacchia scored twice and Mike Krgovich added a goal in a 3-2 win over the Victoria Grizzlies.

The next night the Express fell behind by 5 to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, only to rally with three quick goals to make the game more respectable falling by a score of 6-4.

Sunday the Express traveled to Powell River to face the Kings. On this day it was the Chad Niddery show as he scored his second hat-trick of the season to lead the offensive attack for the Kings as they completed a 6 game season sweep of the Express with a 6-3 win. Niddery opened the scoring for the only goal of the first period. His final two goals came on shorthanded breakaways after Express turnovers at the Kings blueline.

Austin Carroll scored a pair of Express goals. He banged home a loose puck at the side of the net after a Riley Mcintosh point shot to put the Express on the board in the second period after falling behind 3-0. His second was a beauty as he took a fantastic stretch pass from Justin Georgeson to send Carroll in the clear who made no mistake snapping a shot through the legs of Sean Maguire.

Mitch Ball, Scott Renner and Brenden Forbes added singles for the Kings. Cole Gelley had the other goal for the Express.

Powell River was a perfect 6-0 vs. the Express this season. Here's a stat that shows the total control they had of the season series. Powell River never trailed for a single second of the 6 meetings with the Express this season. The Express haven't beaten Powell River since January 23rd 2009, a span of 14 games.

With Alberni Valley defeating Surrey on Sunday, that means this game of musical chairs for the playoff spots has just two contestants remaining with one seat available and the music stops for good on Sunday.

This week the Express have a home and home with Surrey Wednesday and Friday. They will then wrap up the season at home on Sunday vs. Salmon Arm. Cowichan Valley travels to Victoria Wednesday and will wrap up their season Friday at home to Powell River.

BULLDOGS FAST START BURIES EXPRESS

Alberni Valley put the Express in the hole in the opening minute and never really looked back in a 6-4 win Saturday night.

Connor Varley scored a powerplay goal to open the scoring on a first minute powerplay to give the Bulldogs the early lead. The goal came as Matt Hutchinson sat in the penalty box after taking a penalty on his first shift for a second straight game.

In the final minutes of the period the Bulldogs added to their lead with a pair of goals. Trent Dorais came down the right wing and quickly snapped a shot through the legs of Khaleed Devji. Then just over a minute later a neutral zone turnover resulted in a 2 on 1 that Devji had little chance of stopping as Lars Hespo snapped on a perfect feed to beat the sprawled out Express netminder.

Alberni Valley outshot the Express 17-10 in the first period.

The goals kept coming in the second. Brandon Adams carried the puck all the way up ice to the Express zone and he fired a shot over the glove of Devji. Then Justin Morello cleaned up the garbage after the first two initial Bulldog shots were stopped by Devji.

The rookie Express netminder was mercifully pulled after allowing 5 goals on 21 shots with not much help.

Jared Eng looked to give his team a spark when he dropped the mitts with former Victoria Grizzlies teammate Dylan Nowakowski.

The fight appeared to have the desired effect as moments later Destry Straight showed great persistance as he picked the pocket of a Bulldogs defenceman and scored to get the Express on the board.

Alberni Valley restored their 5 goal buldge on the powerplay when Casey Bailey was set up on the high slot and blasted a feed past Billy McGladrey who had little chance.

By this point, the Express frustrations with referee Jarrett Taylor for some of the calls he did and didn't make started to really boil over. At this point Alex Petan was already ejected. Mike Krgovich quickly followed him to the showers.

The frustrations saw some uncharacteristic outbursts from Jason Grecica on a questionable offside call that went against the Express. Destry Straight laid a pretty good two handed slash on a Bulldogs player that wasn't detected. Massimo Lamacchia was frustrated as well after he was slashed in the legs and it didn't get called.

To the credit of the Express they didn't quit as they came out for the third period.

Back to back Bulldog penalties saw the Express get a 5 on 3 for over 90 seconds, and they took full advantage of it. Mark Begert scored a screened point shot. Then Jason Grecica tipped a Jared Eng point shot to cut the Bulldogs lead to 3. Then Destry Straight finished off a pretty passing play and slid home his second of the night and all of a sudden the Express were making it a game.

They had scored three goals in a span of 2:16.

That run gave the Express the belief that perhaps a comeback was in the cards. They carried the flow of play for the rest of the period. Destry Straight had a great chance to pull the Express back within one when he came out on a wraparound, but Frank Slubowski turned Straight's hat-trick bid aside with a fine glove save.

The Express rookie played this game with an edge not seen all season long. And that made him a wizard with the puck. He saw plenty of ice in the third period due to the short bench. And every time he was out there the puck appeared to be on his stick and he wasn't going to give it up until he tried to create some offence.

As it turned out the three goals in 2:16 would be all the offence the Express would be able to muster in the third period. And the Bulldogs held on the rest of the way.

The win allowed Alberni Valley to stave off an Express team that was looking to over take the Dogs and move into 6th place in the conference with a win.

The Express did get some help on the out of town scoreboard as Powell River knocked off Cowichan Valley 3-1. So the Express still hold a two point lead on the Caps for the 7th and final playoff spot with 4 games remaining.

Sunday the Express will make their final visit to Powell River. Cowichan Valley will travel to Nanaimo for a second meeting in three nights with the Clippers.

EXPRESS TOP 10 - MOMENT 2

Today we look back at Mark Soares' OT winner of the 2006 RBC Semi Final over the Fort William First Nation North Stars.

Click to here to listen to the feature.

RBC TRIVIA CONTEST

PLAY RBC CUP TRIVIA!
Monthly prizes and a Hockey Canada grand prize are up for grabs in the RBC Cup trivia contest – but you need to ‘like’ the RBC Cup on Facebook to take part!
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PLAY RBC CUP TRIVIA!
As the start of the 2011 RBC Cup in Camrose, Alta., draws closer, Hockey Canada wants to get Junior A hockey fans across the country involved in the countdown. With that in mind, it has introduced the RBC Cup trivia contest, which will see three fans per week entered in the draw for the RBC/Hockey Canada grand prize.

The only catch? Only correct answers from fans who ‘like’ the RBC Cup on Facebook will be accepted. Not a fan? It’s easy! Just head to www.facebook.com/rbccup and click ‘Like’.

New questions will be posted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Fans will have until 11:59 p.m. MT the next day to get their answers in. After the deadline passes, one fan will be randomly chosen from the group of correct answers.

At the end of each month, one fan will be chosen from that month’s winners to win a Hockey Canada prize pack. As well, every winner will be entered into the grand prize draw, to be made just prior to the start of the 2011 RBC Cup on April 30.

WILD GAME SEES CHIEFS COME OUT ON TOP

It may have been the wildest game for the Express all season. When it was all said and done the Chiefs came away with a 8-5 win.

Langley started the proceedings scoring a pair of goals before the game was 7 minutes old on goals by Trevor Gerling and Kevin Tuohy. It was the 4th straight game on this home stand that saw the Express playing from behind in the first period.

The Express had a quick response to pull even with goals by Riley Mcintosh and Destry Straight 35 seconds apart.

Just 52 seconds later Langley re-stored their lead when Trace Strahle's point shot was tipped past a screened Khaleed Devji.

The Express came back just under 4 minutes later Destry Straight set up Justin Georgeson who finished off his 5th of the season.

The goals kept coming as Darnell Dyck Ryan Bakken and scored 2:13 apart to give Langley a 5-3 lead after the first period.

8 total goals in the first period. The final 7 came in a 9:48 span.

The goals slowed down in the second period, but that doesn't mean the action didn't. The middle frame saw the goaltenders take over. More specifically Khaleed Devji. He made a number of spectacular saves to keep the Express in the game.

Massimo Lamacchia cut the lead down to one when he snapped home his 28th of the year off the rush.

The second period saw Khaleed Devji make a total of 18 saves. Many of them in fine fashion to keep the Express trailing by just a goal after two periods.

Entering the third period the Express were still waiting for their first powerplay of the game. They were given three to open the third period. But it was the Chiefs getting the better of the chances. Dillon Scholten the most of unlikely of candidates to score while a man short slowly rushed up the ice and wired a slapshot past Devji to re-store the two goal Chief lead.

That shorthanded goal took some wind out of the Express' sails in their bid for a comeback. Langley added to their lead when Kit Sitterly banged in a loose puck at the side of the Express net.

Jared Eng took a nice feed from Massimo Lamacchia to pull the Express back within two. Then the Express were given their fourth powerplay of the third period and much like the first three, they couldn't do anything with it. The Express finished the night 0 for 4 on the powerplay. And are just 1 for 15 in the month of February.

Josh Hansen sealed the game in the final minute with an empty net goal.

The loss saw the Express finish their 5 game home stand with a 2-3 record. They remain tied with Cowichan Valley for the 7th and final playoff spot. But the Express now have just one game in hand on the Caps for the rest of the season and that will be used in the season finale vs. Salmon Arm.

The Express now hit the road for 4 in a row starting Friday in Victoria, then travel to Alberni Valley, Powell River and Surrey.

EXPRESS COMMITMENTS HIT 5

Jared Eng is the latest Express player to get a post secondary commitment. He has signed on with Sacred Heart University Division I in Fairfield Connecticut.

Eng was acquired by the Express during the pre-season in a trade with the Victoria Grizzlies.

He is in his second year in the BCHL and this season he has 5 goals and 19 assists for 24 points in 50 games.

Earlier this season the Express have helped secure commitments for Garrick Perry (Alaska-Fairbanks), Brad Reid (RIT), Destry Sraight (Boston College), and Massimo Lamacchia (Brown University).

Congratulations Jared.

CHRIS VAN DUYNHOVEN INTERVIEW

During the second intermisson of Fridays game vs. Powell River I had a chance to speak with former Express defenceman. We chatted mostly about his new path in life as a firefighter. Plus a reflection of his time with the Express and his junior hockey career.

Click to here to listen to my chat with Vandy.

DEFENCE LEADS EXPRESS OFFENCE

The Express got three goals from defenceman, Cole Gelley's first two goals of the year and a powerplay goal from Riley Mcintosh to lead the Express attack in a 4-3 win over the Victoria Grizzlies.

It took Cole Gelley until his 29th game to score his first Express goal, but it didn't take long for that goal to come on this night as 1:35 into the first period Gelley's screened point shot found the back of the net past Cole Gorchynski.

For a third straight game, it didn't take long for the Express to find themselves trailing in the first period. Victoria quickly pulled into the lead on goals by Joel Lowry and Mitch Lebreche before the game was 7 minutes old.

The Express did get a boost as Mike Krgovich returned after a two game absence. But played without veteran defenceman Matt Mazzarolo.

A Victoria penalty for too many men at the 20:00 mark of the first period saw the Express open the middle period with a powerplay. It was then a 5 on 3 for the Express when Graeme Strukoff was called for tripping in the opening minute of the second period.

Riley Mcintosh pinched on on that powerplay when it was back to a 5 on 4 found a loose puck at the side of the Victoria net to pull the Express even at 2.

On this night the Express tried to stretch the Victoria defence with long passes out of their own zone to spring the offence. Justin Georgeson was the beneficiary of one of those passes that allowed him to walk in alone on a breakaway. He made the perfect move on the Victoria netminder but he slid his backhand through the legs of Gorchynski but slid it past the near post.

The Express won the special teams battle on this night. They got the powerplay goal from Mcintosh in the second period. Plus the penalty killing was a perfect 3 for 3.

Following the conclusion of a Cole Gelley hooking penalty, he came out of the box and Mike Krgovich fired a perfect pass on the tape to spring Gelley on a breakaway who looked like a 30 goal scorer snapping a shot to the stick side of Gorchynski for his second of the night to give the Express their second lead of the night.

Joel Lowry pulled Victoria even before the period was done as he showed great patience to cut around the Express defence then slide the puck past Khaleed Devji to tie the game at 3.

Massimo Lamacchia broke the deadlock midway through the third period when he took a fine feed from Jared Eng who pinched in from his point position to the half boards to support strong board play from Alex Petan and Destry Straight in the corner.

It was then Khaleed Devji's game to close out. He put the finishing touches on a fine perforamce in the final minutes to keep the Express in the lead. Devji finished with 29 saves.

The line of Malcom Mckinney, Jake Charles and Austin Carroll didn't hit the scoresheet, but they had a strong game in a third line support role. They were banging the Victoria defence in the offensive zone, moving their feet and giving the Express good energy minutes all game long.

Both the Express and Capitals remaining deadlocked for the 7th and final playoff spot in the Coastal Conference playoff race after the Caps finished their Interior 2 game road trip 1-1 with a 4-3 win in Merritt. The Express still have 2 games in hand with 7 games remaining on their schedule to just 5 for Cowichan Valley.

The Express are 2-2 on their current 5 game home stand and will look to have a above .500 mark on the home stand when they host Langley Chiefs on Tuesday night.

GRIZZLIES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights from the 4-3 Express win over Victoria Saturday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

KINGS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Powell River's 5-1 win over the Express Friday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

KINGS CROWN EXPRESS

Powell River is a perfect 5-0 this season vs. the Express after their 5-1 win Friday night. In fact, Powell River's dominance over the Express has dated back more than two years since the last time the Express came away with 2 points over the class of the Coastal Conference.

In this latest Powell River win, they jumped on the Express early scoring twice in the opening 4 minutes on a goal by Brendan Forbes when he tipped a Braden Pears point shot. That goal came following a pair of Express turnovers in their own zone. Moments later Craig Dalrymple made a smart pinch in the Express zone to poke the puck deep that allowed Klay Kachur to set up Matt Garbowsky's BCHL leading 40th goal of the season.

Allowing the top defensive team in the BCHL to get an early lead put the Express in a tough position. They did respond to get back within one when Jason Grecica finished off a perfectly executed 2 on 1 with Massimo Lamacchia less than 4 minutes after Garbowsky's goal.

The game then settled down for awhile. In the latter half of the second period the Kings got a scare when Matthew Hutchinson collided with Garbowsky in the Express zone. Hutchinson was sent to the dressing room for the night after being assessed a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing. Garbowsky also went to the room and didn't return for the rest of the game.

Powell River had a chance to put the game away with the extended powerplay, but the Express penalty killers came up with a gutsy effort to keep the Kings lead to just one. Notable highlights from that penalty killing effort included Massimo Lammachia using all the heart and desire in his body to muscle the puck out of the defensive zone, Matt Mazzarolo laying solid hit on a Kings player just inside the Express blueline and some key shot blocks.

The Express came out of that situation unscathed and went to the third period still down by just a goal.

Midway through the final frame the penalty killers were called upon again when Austin Carroll was sent off for tripping. This time the Kings made sure to take advantage of the opportunity. Andrew Pettitt snapped home a feed from Cohen Adair in the high slot to give Powell River a 3-1 lead.

That was followed by some of the best chances the Express had all night on goaltender Micheal Garteig. He stopped Destry Straight and Malcom Mckinney on breakaways moments apart.

Powell River iced the game in the final minute with a powerplay goal by Brendan Hawryluk and Brendon Forbes' second of the game.

The 5-1 final put the finishing touches on Powell River's 2nd Coastal Conference regular season championship in 3 seasons. The Kings officially clinched a first round bye with the win.

The loss was the 5th in the last 6 games for the Express. Cowichan Valley also wound up on the losing end going down 6-3 in Salmon Arm with former Capital Mike Hammond scoring a pair of goals vs. his old team. The Express and Caps remain tied for the 7th seed in the Coastal conference with 46 points. The Express still have 2 games in hand on the Caps.

EAGLES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Surrey's 5-2 win over the Express Wednesday.



Higlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

EAGLES FLY TO 6TH STRAIGHT WIN

Michael Stenerson and Jeff Vanderlugt each had 1 goal and 1 assist, while the Surrey Eagles got goals from all 4 lines in a 5-2 win over the Express to extend the Eagles winning streak to 6 games. Surrey has also now won 8 of their last 9 games.

Malcom Mckinney scored a pair of goals on backhands for the only offence for the home team.

The Express were short staffed up front as Mike Krgovich didn't dress vs. his old team. Plus Jason Grecica was shaken up in the 2nd period missing most of the period, but he did return for the 3rd.

Khaleed Devji was busy in the Express crease turning aside 37 of the 42 shots sent his way.

Scott Holm, Richard Vanderhoek and Colton Mackie scored the other three Eagle markers.

Wednesday's game was one of three games in hand the Express have on Cowichan Valley. The two teams remain tied for the 7th and final playoff spot with 46 points each.

Coquitlam's 5 game home stand resumes Friday vs. Powell River.