Here's one final video to wrap up the 11-12 Express season featuring the top plays from this past season.
Thanks again to Cary Derksen for compiling this look back at this season.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
KINGS @ EXPRESS GAME 6 HIGHLIGHTS
Here's the highlights of Powell River's game 6 win over the Express Friday night.
Thanks to Cary Derksen all season long for putting these great highlight packs together.
Thanks to Cary Derksen all season long for putting these great highlight packs together.
Friday, March 23, 2012
KINGS TAKE SERIES IN 6
The Powell River Kings have won their best of 7 Coastal Conference semi final in 6 games after knocking off the Express 4-1 on Friday night.
It concludes a very strong 2011-12 season for the Express.
Powell River opened the scoring for the 5th time in this series when Evan Richardson found Chris Williams back door and he put the puck into the crease area and it bounced into the net.
As has been a trend in the final 4 games of the series, the lead from scoring first didn't last. Just 1:21 later the Express pulled even when Malcom McKinney found Alex Petan in front and the feed bounced off the captain and past Sean Maguire.
It was one of the closer first periods between the two clubs which saw the shots even at 10 apiece after 20 minutes.
Game 6 would turn out to be a breakout game for Evan Richardson in game 6 for the Kings. He scored his first goal of the series early in the second as he cut into the slot and fired a shot over the glove of Cole Huggins.
Kings goaltender Sean Maguire was looking to have a bounce back performance after being pulled in game 5.
He proved to be very tough to beat on this night for the Kings. One of his best saves came late in the second period when he kicked out his left leg to quickly deny Cody Michelle in close.
The Express entered the third period down a goal and needing one to try and save their season. They generated numerous quality scoring chances in the opening minutes of the period, but Maguire kept up his strong play for Powell River.
Evan Richardson picked up his third point of the game setting up Teal Burns who scored on the powerplay for his third point of the game as well to put the Kings up 3-1.
The Express got one last chance late in the third to cut into the Kings lead with a powerplay. But a turnover in the Express zone turned into an empty net goal by Daniel Schuler to seal the game and series for the Kings.
Sean Maguire finished the game with 31 saves. The Kings now have a few days off and will have to wait until Saturday night to learn who their opponent in the Coastal Conference final will be after the Cowichan Valley Capitals forced a game 7 with a 5-4 overtime win over the Surrey Eagles in game 6.
For the Express it brings to a close a very successful season. There are lots of positives to remember from this now past season. They set numerous new marks for most wins and points in the regular season. The young core that coach Jon Calvano has put together will come back for next season only 1 year older and 1 year better.
The work on laying the foundation for next season is already underway and we will learn over the course of the next few months about how the 12-13 Express will look when the recruiting process gets into full gear.
This is also an understandable emotional time. Especially for 20 year olds Clinton Atkinson, Nicholas Wong who played their final games of their junior careers tonight. This game also marks the end of the road for Captain Alex Petan who has a year of eligibility left, but will head to Michigan Tech on a scholarship next season.
Injured 20 year old defenceman Rajan Sidhu also saw his junior career to come a close as he watched from the sidelines.
It's never easy for any team when a teams season comes to an end, but September will roll around again and all the fun will get going one more time. The future for the Express is bright and they're on the right path in their efforts to bring a Fred Page Cup championship to Coquitlam.
It concludes a very strong 2011-12 season for the Express.
Powell River opened the scoring for the 5th time in this series when Evan Richardson found Chris Williams back door and he put the puck into the crease area and it bounced into the net.
As has been a trend in the final 4 games of the series, the lead from scoring first didn't last. Just 1:21 later the Express pulled even when Malcom McKinney found Alex Petan in front and the feed bounced off the captain and past Sean Maguire.
It was one of the closer first periods between the two clubs which saw the shots even at 10 apiece after 20 minutes.
Game 6 would turn out to be a breakout game for Evan Richardson in game 6 for the Kings. He scored his first goal of the series early in the second as he cut into the slot and fired a shot over the glove of Cole Huggins.
Kings goaltender Sean Maguire was looking to have a bounce back performance after being pulled in game 5.
He proved to be very tough to beat on this night for the Kings. One of his best saves came late in the second period when he kicked out his left leg to quickly deny Cody Michelle in close.
The Express entered the third period down a goal and needing one to try and save their season. They generated numerous quality scoring chances in the opening minutes of the period, but Maguire kept up his strong play for Powell River.
Evan Richardson picked up his third point of the game setting up Teal Burns who scored on the powerplay for his third point of the game as well to put the Kings up 3-1.
The Express got one last chance late in the third to cut into the Kings lead with a powerplay. But a turnover in the Express zone turned into an empty net goal by Daniel Schuler to seal the game and series for the Kings.
Sean Maguire finished the game with 31 saves. The Kings now have a few days off and will have to wait until Saturday night to learn who their opponent in the Coastal Conference final will be after the Cowichan Valley Capitals forced a game 7 with a 5-4 overtime win over the Surrey Eagles in game 6.
For the Express it brings to a close a very successful season. There are lots of positives to remember from this now past season. They set numerous new marks for most wins and points in the regular season. The young core that coach Jon Calvano has put together will come back for next season only 1 year older and 1 year better.
The work on laying the foundation for next season is already underway and we will learn over the course of the next few months about how the 12-13 Express will look when the recruiting process gets into full gear.
This is also an understandable emotional time. Especially for 20 year olds Clinton Atkinson, Nicholas Wong who played their final games of their junior careers tonight. This game also marks the end of the road for Captain Alex Petan who has a year of eligibility left, but will head to Michigan Tech on a scholarship next season.
Injured 20 year old defenceman Rajan Sidhu also saw his junior career to come a close as he watched from the sidelines.
It's never easy for any team when a teams season comes to an end, but September will roll around again and all the fun will get going one more time. The future for the Express is bright and they're on the right path in their efforts to bring a Fred Page Cup championship to Coquitlam.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
EXPRESS VS. KINGS GAMES 3 & 4 HIGHLIGHTS
Here's the highlights of the games 3 and 4 from Coquitlam vs. the Kings.
GAME 3:
GAME 4:
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
GAME 3:
GAME 4:
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
EXPRESS HOLD COURT AT HOME
The Coastal Conference semi final between the Express and Kings is now a best of 3 after the Express evened the series at two following a pair of wins on home ice 3-2 in game 3, and 4-2 in game 4 Tuesday night.
Click here to listen to the Express goals from Game 4
There were a few similarities from game 3 that also played out in game 4. The Kings got off to a fast start, Khaleed Devji was outstanding between the pipes, and Alex Kerfoot scored a big goal in the third period.
Just like game 3, the Kings jumped on the Express hard in the first half of the first period. The Kings opened the scoring on their first shot of the game when Jarryd Leung scored on a 2 on 1 firing a shot through the legs of Devji following an Express turnover at the Kings blueline.
The Kings pressure remained constant as they looked for a second goal. They got that goal when Tanner Cochrane flipped the puck high from his own zone and JP Villeneuve skated onto the long bomb when it landed in the Express zone and he quickly fired a shot past the glove of Khaleed Devji.
It was the 4th straight time in this series the Kings had forced the Express to play from behind in the first period. Powell River had jumped out to a 10-1 advantage in shots by the time the Kings had scored their second goal of the game.
Click here to listen to the Express goals from Game 4
The Express needed a response, and captain Alex Petan showed why he was the Coastal Conference MVP this season. Shortly after the Kings took their 2-0 lead, Petan cut into the Kings lead by snapping home a quick snap shot from the slot on the powerplay to get the Express on the board.
The goal game 54 seconds after Villenuve's goal. And it was a classic Express powerplay goal with quick passes by Atkinson and Siemer who eventually found Petan in the slot.
Petan struck again just 1:51 later this time it was Nicholas Wong finding the captain in the slot who snapped a quick shot past Sean Maguire. The two goals for Petan were his first of the 2012 playoffs.
In the second period, the Kings had a chance to break the tie when they got a 2 man advantage for 1:26. But the Express penalty killers clutched up and killed off the Kings advantage.
The Express took their first lead of the game midway through the second period. The goal came out of nothing. One moment Jace Hennig and Justin Georgeson are in a battle for the puck along the boards in the Kings zone, then all of a sudden the puck squirts out to Cody Michelle who quickly roofed a backhand over the glove of Sean Maguire.
Late in the second period the Express got a 5 on 3 of their own for just under a minute, but like the Kings earlier in the period couldn't score to add to their lead.
Alex Kerfoot gave the Express some much needed insurance midway through the third period when he fired a great wrist shot high over the right shoulder of Sean Maguire for the second straight game with the goal coming just seconds after a powerplay had expired.
Powell River pressed hard in the third period firing 19 shots Khaleed Devji's way, but he stopped them all. It was all part of a 48 save performance for the Express netminder who turned aside the final 40 shots sent his way after the Kings jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period.
This best of 7 has been a home team series so far with the home team winning each of the first four game. That sets up a big game 5 coming up on Thursday. The Express will need to take at least one game in Powell River if they hope to win the series.
Monday, March 19, 2012
EXPRESS CLAW BACK INTO SERIES WITH OT WIN
The Coquitlam Express are back in their series with a 3-2 overtime win over the Powell River Kings in game 3 of the Coastal Conference semi finals.
The Express now trail the best of 7 2-1.
Justin Georgeson was overtime hero scoring at 2:35 of the first OT.
Click to listen to the Express goals from Game 3.
The Express made a number of lineup changes entering the game.
The most notable was between the pipes where Khaleed Devji got the start in place of Cole Huggins who lost both games in Powell River.
The other change saw the Express call up Adam Rockwood to give the Express a little more skill.
Powell River started strong in the first period firing 17 shots Devji's way. The only goal to beat him was off a rebound from a point shot and Tanner Cochrane slid it home following a won faceoff in the Express zone.
Sean Maguire wasn't that busy in the first. His best save came off Alex Kerfoot as he cut to the net from the left wing but Kerfoot's World Junior A Challenge teammate got the best of him.
The Kings went to the second period with the lead for the third straight game in this series.
The Express began to pick up their game in the second period.
They pulled even on the power play midway through the frame as Clinton Atkinson's shot from the left point found the back of the net past a screened Maguire.
Cody Michelle didn't draw an assist on the play, but he played a key role in the goal setting up the screen in front of the Kings net. Following the goal, Michelle was levelled to the ice and the Kings Brendan Smith was sent to the box giving the Express their second consecutive powerplay.
They couldn't convert on that advantage however.
Maguire certainly was busier in the second period than he was in the first. He made a number of other notable saves to keep the game tied.
Entering the third period, the Express still hadn't played one second with the lead in this series in the first 8 periods so far.
That finally changed for the Express 7 minutes into the third period. Alex Kerfoot coming down the right wing used the Kings defender as a screen and fired a shot top corner far side over the shoulder of Maguire to put the Express up 2-1.
Now it was up to the Express to try and protect this lead for the final 13 minutes of the game. Goaltender Khaleed Devji stepped up with a very strong performance in the Express crease. His best save came in the third period when he fired out his left leg to make a clutch save following a Kings bid in tight.
J.P. Villeneuve finally pulled the Kings even as he was able to swipe home a loose puck in front of the net past Devji to tie the game at 2 with just 3:17 remaining in the third period.
Now with the game and possibly the series hanging in the balance, everything became that much more magnified in the final minutes of the third period.
The Express were given a chance late in the third period to try and post their first win of the series. Teal Burns was called for charging in the final minute of the frame after he took a run at Alex Kerfoot in the corner in the Kings zone after the puck had left the vicinity.
The Express couldn't score with the advantage in the final minute of the third period. Then in overtime the Express had a number of great chances to end it. Cody Michelle's saucer pass was too high for Alex Kerfoot to handle, Zach Hodder fanned on a one timer attempt, and Kerfoot fired a wrist shot high over the net glove side on Maguire.
Powell River survived the Express powerplay, but the game ended moments later. Justin Georgeson and Alex Petan broke in on a two on one. Georgeson tried to feed the puck over to Petan, but the pass was blocked and came back to Georgeson who slid in the open side to give the Express the 3-2 win at 2:25 of overtime.
With a number of key forwards out of the lineup for the Express, they had others step up and make notable contributions. Mitchell Fyffe helped out in the faceoff circle at times skating along side Alex Petan and Malcom Mckinney. Cody Michelle was most notable being a screen in front of the net on the powerplay.
And of course Khaleed Devji was very strong in the Express crease turning aside 40 of the 42 shots sent his way.
The Express will look to pull even in the series when game 4 goes Tuesday night in Coquitlam.
The Express now trail the best of 7 2-1.
Justin Georgeson was overtime hero scoring at 2:35 of the first OT.
Click to listen to the Express goals from Game 3.
The Express made a number of lineup changes entering the game.
The most notable was between the pipes where Khaleed Devji got the start in place of Cole Huggins who lost both games in Powell River.
The other change saw the Express call up Adam Rockwood to give the Express a little more skill.
Powell River started strong in the first period firing 17 shots Devji's way. The only goal to beat him was off a rebound from a point shot and Tanner Cochrane slid it home following a won faceoff in the Express zone.
Sean Maguire wasn't that busy in the first. His best save came off Alex Kerfoot as he cut to the net from the left wing but Kerfoot's World Junior A Challenge teammate got the best of him.
The Kings went to the second period with the lead for the third straight game in this series.
The Express began to pick up their game in the second period.
They pulled even on the power play midway through the frame as Clinton Atkinson's shot from the left point found the back of the net past a screened Maguire.
Cody Michelle didn't draw an assist on the play, but he played a key role in the goal setting up the screen in front of the Kings net. Following the goal, Michelle was levelled to the ice and the Kings Brendan Smith was sent to the box giving the Express their second consecutive powerplay.
They couldn't convert on that advantage however.
Maguire certainly was busier in the second period than he was in the first. He made a number of other notable saves to keep the game tied.
Entering the third period, the Express still hadn't played one second with the lead in this series in the first 8 periods so far.
That finally changed for the Express 7 minutes into the third period. Alex Kerfoot coming down the right wing used the Kings defender as a screen and fired a shot top corner far side over the shoulder of Maguire to put the Express up 2-1.
Now it was up to the Express to try and protect this lead for the final 13 minutes of the game. Goaltender Khaleed Devji stepped up with a very strong performance in the Express crease. His best save came in the third period when he fired out his left leg to make a clutch save following a Kings bid in tight.
J.P. Villeneuve finally pulled the Kings even as he was able to swipe home a loose puck in front of the net past Devji to tie the game at 2 with just 3:17 remaining in the third period.
Now with the game and possibly the series hanging in the balance, everything became that much more magnified in the final minutes of the third period.
The Express were given a chance late in the third period to try and post their first win of the series. Teal Burns was called for charging in the final minute of the frame after he took a run at Alex Kerfoot in the corner in the Kings zone after the puck had left the vicinity.
The Express couldn't score with the advantage in the final minute of the third period. Then in overtime the Express had a number of great chances to end it. Cody Michelle's saucer pass was too high for Alex Kerfoot to handle, Zach Hodder fanned on a one timer attempt, and Kerfoot fired a wrist shot high over the net glove side on Maguire.
Powell River survived the Express powerplay, but the game ended moments later. Justin Georgeson and Alex Petan broke in on a two on one. Georgeson tried to feed the puck over to Petan, but the pass was blocked and came back to Georgeson who slid in the open side to give the Express the 3-2 win at 2:25 of overtime.
With a number of key forwards out of the lineup for the Express, they had others step up and make notable contributions. Mitchell Fyffe helped out in the faceoff circle at times skating along side Alex Petan and Malcom Mckinney. Cody Michelle was most notable being a screen in front of the net on the powerplay.
And of course Khaleed Devji was very strong in the Express crease turning aside 40 of the 42 shots sent his way.
The Express will look to pull even in the series when game 4 goes Tuesday night in Coquitlam.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
AHL WOLVES SIGN FORMER EXPRESS CAPTAIN HUNT
The Chicago Wolves have signed former Express Captain Brad Hunt. The Maple Ridge native played with the Express for parts of 3 seasons from 2006-08. In 123 games with the Express he scored 20 goals and 73 assists for 93 points.
He captained the Express for the 07-08 season where he would set a then franchise record for points in a season by a defenceman with 16 goals and 55 points. That record was recently broken this season by Clinton Atkinson. Following the 07-08 season, Hunt would embark on a 4 year University career at the Bemidji State.
See the full press release below from the Wolves.
HUNT led Bemidji State University with 21 assists and ranked third on the team with 26 points in 38 games during his senior campaign this year. The 23-year-old defenseman dished out two helpers in his final collegiate game as the Beavers fell to North Dakota 4-3 on March 10.
The Ridge Meadows, British Columbia, native amassed 24 goals, 88 assists and 112 points while appearing in all 150 games during his college career with Bemidji State from 2008-12.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
EXPRESS ON BCHL ALL STAR TEAMS
The BCHL today announced members of the first and second all star teams, plus an all rookie team.
Numerous members of the Express were named to the various squads.
See the full press release from the BCHL below:
The British Columbia Hockey League is pleased to announce its all-stars for the 2011-12 season. The winners were chosen after a survey of BCHL coaches and executives.
BCHL First Team
Interior Conference
F – Wade Murphy, Penticton Vees D – Mike Reilly, Penticton Vees
F – Paul De Jersey, Prince George Spruce Kings D – Brett Corkey, Vernon Vipers
F – Joey Benik, Penticton Vees G – Michael Garteig, Penticton Vees
Coastal Conference
F – Alex Petan, Coquitlam Express D – Craig Dalrymple, Powell River Kings
F – Devin Gannon, Cowichan Valley Capitals D – Clinton Atkinson, Coquitlam Express
F – Alex Kerfoot, Coquitlam Express G – Andrew Hunt, Surrey Eagles
BCHL Second Team
Interior Conference
F – Mario Lucia, Penticton Vees D – Reece Willcox, Merritt Centennials
F – Travis St. Denis, Penticton Vees D – Troy Stecher, Penticton Vees
F – Connor Reilly, Penticton Vees G – Mitch Gillam, Chilliwack Chiefs
Coastal Conference
F – Cohen Adair, Powell River Kings D – Jon Jutzi, Powell River Kings
F – Matt Brown, Cowichan Valley Capitals D – Graeme McCormack, Nanaimo Clippers
F – Tyler Morley, Surrey Eagles G – Sean Maguire, Powell River Kings
All Rookie Team
F – Alex Kerfoot, Coquitlam Express D – Mike Reilly, Penticton Vees
F – Steven Fogarty, Penticton Vees D – Devon Toews, Surrey Eagles
F – Mario Lucia, Penticton Vees G – Mitch Gillam, Chilliwack Chiefs
Monday, March 12, 2012
EXPRESS VS. KINGS PRIMER
The Coquitlam Express and Powell River Kings will meet for the first time in the BCHL playoffs starting Friday in Powell River.
This series has the number 1 seed in the Kings going up against the number 4 seed in the Express.
There are a number of interesting story lines entering this series. On paper there are some things that stand out for sure.
Both teams can put the puck in the net. The Express finished the season with the 2nd most goals in the BCHL this season with 245. But the Powell River Kings finished the season 3rd in the BCHL with 223 goals scored this season.
A trademark of the Express all season long has been their depth. As a whole the Express have more players that put up better offensive numbers than the Powell River Kings. The Express can boast having 5 players that put up better numbers than the Kings top scorer Cohen Adiar who led the Kings with 58 points this season.
On the other side of the coin, under Head Coach Kent Lewis, the Kings trademark has been their ability to keep pucks out of the net. The Kings were the stingiest team in the BCHL to score against the season allowing the fewest goals of any team in the league with 127.
Head to head the season series was very one sided in favour of the Express posting a 6-1-1 record vs. the Kings this season.
Special teams is another unique match up in this series. The Express finished the season with the 2nd best powerplay in the BCHL at 27.54%. It will be going up against a Kings penalty killing unit which was 3rd in the BCHL at 82.01%.
Directly head to head the Express did have a considerable advantage, the Express were 13 for 35 on the powerplay going 37.14%. On the penalty kill, the Express shut down the Kings in 34 of 37 opportunites 91.89%.
Travel and fatigue may play a factor the longer the series goes with 7 games scheduled to be played in 9 nights if it does go the distance. And the final 3 games would be played on consecutive nights. If you have ever taken the 5-6 hour trip from the Mainland to the Sunshine coast with 2 ferries each way, you understand how much of a grind the travel could be.
With the Kings having home ice in this series, it does mean they will take one less trip. They made the Hap Parker Arena a very difficult place to play this season having won 24 of 30 home games this season and only losing 4 times in regulation.
However, the Express did hand the Kings 3 of their 4 home ice regulation losses this season. And that includes sweeping a pair of games in Powell River in back to back games on February 11th and 12th.
Not only will the Express enter this series with the confidence that they've walked into Powell River and won numerous times this season. They also have the knowledge in their back pocket of being a strong road team all season setting a franchise record with 17 wins this season.
The Kings also had a strong road record this season by posting the 2nd most wins away from home in the BCHL this season with 18. But they did go winless in 4 games in Coquitlam this season with a 0-3-1 mark.
Both teams had strong second halves of the season and had their share of strong runs of play. The Express did have a 8 game winning streak in the second half of the season. Overall they went 22-7-1. The Kings did go 8-2 in their last 10 games. They also had a 10 game winning streak in the second half of the season which was halted by the Express.
It has the makings of being a very good series with 2 very good teams meeting each other. Lets get it started.
Here's a breakdown of some of the key numbers for both teams this season.
| EXPRESS VS. KINGS BY THE NUMBERS | ||
| Top Scorers | ||
| Express | Kings | |
| Alex Petan - 33G, 50A, 88PTS Brady Shaw – 33G, 36A, 69PTS Alex Kerfoot – 25G, 44A, 69PTS John Siemer – 28G, 31A, 59PTS Clinton Atkinson – 9G, 50A, 59PTS | Cohen Adair – 32G, 26A, 58PTS Evan Richardson – 19G, 36A, 55PTS Craig Dalrymple – 20G, 29A, 49PTS Teagan Waugh – 22G, 23A, 45PTS Matt Scarth – 20G, 18A, 38PTS | |
| Goatender Statistics | ||
| Cole Huggins - 21-6-2 2.99 GAA, .918 Sv. % 2 SO
Khaleed Devji – 16-13-1 3.48 GAA, .897 Sv.% | Sean Maguire – 17-12-1 2.33 GAA .913 Sv. % 3 SO Jonah Imoo – 7-0 0.94 GAA, .950 Sv. % 3SO | |
| Special Teams Statistics | ||
| COQ PP – 27.54% - 2nd in BCHL PR PK – 82.01% - 3rd in BCHL | PR PP – 18.86% - 10th in BCHL COQ PK – 81.65% - 4th in BCHL | |
| Head to Head Records | ||
| Coquiltam - 6-1-1-0, 13PTS | Powell River – 1-6-1, 3PTS | |
| Oct. 9 @ CQ 4-3 W Oct. 14 @ CQ 4-4 T Nov. 18 @ PR 5-3 W Dec. 29 @ CQ 2-1 W Jan. 7 @ CQ 4-1 W Feb. 2 @ PR 3-1 L Feb. 11 @ PR 3-2 W Feb. 12 @ PR 3-1 W | Oct. 9 @ CQ 4-3 L Oct. 14 @ CQ 4-4 T Nov. 18 @ PR 5-3 L Dec. 29 @ CQ 2-1 L Jan. 7 @ CQ 4-1 L Feb. 2 @ PR 3-1 W Feb. 11 @ PR 3-2 L Feb. 12 @ PR 3-1 L | |
| Head to Head Special Teams Statistics | ||
| COQ PP vs. PR – 13/35 – 37.14% PR PK vs. CQ – 22/35 – 62.85% | PR PP vs. COQ – 3/37 – 8.11% COQ PK vs. PR – 34/37 – 91.89% | |
| INDIVIDUAL HEAD TO HEAD STATISTICS | ||
| Express scoring vs. Kings | Kings scoring vs. Express | |
| Alex Kerfoot – 6G, 4A, 10PTS Alex Petan – 5G, 5A, 10PTS Clinton Atkinson – 0G, 10A, 10PTS Brady Shaw – 4G, 3A, 7PTS Mitch Nardi – 4G, 3A, 7PTS Taylor Bourne – 2G, 1A, 3PTS John Siemer – 1G, 2A, 3PTS Malcom Mckinney – 0G, 2A, 2PTS Justin Georgeson – 0G, 2A, 2PTS Cody Michelle – 2G, 0A, 2PTS | Steven Schmidt – 3G, 4A, 7PTS Cohen Adair – 2G, 4A, 6PTS Evan Richardson – 2G, 4A, 6PTS Daniel Schuler – 2G, 1A, 3PTS Matt Scarth – 1G, 2A, 3PTS Craig Dalrymple – 2G, 1A, 3PTS Teegan Waugh – 1G, 1A, 2PTS Jon Jutzi – 1G, 1A, 2PTS Teal Burns – 1G, 1A, 2PTS Chris Williams – 0G, 2A, 2PTS | |
| GOALTENDING | ||
| Cole Huggins 3-1 2.06 GAA .937 Sv. % | Sean Maguire 1-5-1 3.48 GAA .870 Sv. % | |
| Khaleed Devji 3-0-1 1.84 GAA .949 Sv. % | Jonah Imoo Did not play vs. Express this season | |
EXPRESS CLEAN UP ON BCHL AWARDS
The BCHL handed out their year end awards Tuesday, and the Coquitlam Express cleaned up on the Coastal Confernce side taking three awards in recognition of their strong seasons.
Captain Alex Petan is the Coastal Conference MVP. The third year forward had a break out season leading all Coastal Conference scorers with 38 goals and 50 assists for 88 points. He was 9 points clear of the 2nd highest scorer in the Coastal Confernce Cowichan Valley's Devin Gannon. Overall Petan finished 5th in BCHL scoring.
Petan becomes the third player in Express history to win the Coastal Conference MVP award joining Kyle Turris and Carlo Finucci who won it in back to back years in 2007 and 2008.
Rookie Alex Kerfoot won 2 BCHL awards. The Coastal Conference Rookie of the year and Most Sportsmanlike player. This season Kerfoot scored 25 goals and 44 assists for 69 points in 51 games. The 17 year old forward was tied with teammate Brady Shaw as the top scoring first year forward in the BCHL. The next highest scoring first year forward in the BCHL was Surrey's Alex Hagen who finished with 43 points, 26 points behind the West Vancouver native. And Kerfoot was only penalized for 24 minutes this season.
Kerfoot becomes the 4th player in Express history to win the Rookie of the year award joining Brett Hemingway 2002, Kyle Turris 2006 and Destry Straight 2011. Plus he is just the second player to win the Most Sportsmanlike player award joining Brock Bradford who won it in 2004.
Here's the full press release from the BCHL:
The British Columbia Hockey League is pleased to announce its award winners for the 2011-12 season. The winners were chosen after a survey of BCHL coaches and executives.
Vern Dye Memorial Trophy – Most Valuable Player
Interior Conference: Paul De Jersey, Prince George Spruce Kings
Coastal Conference: Alex Petan, Coquitlam Express
Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy – Rookie of the Year
Interior Conference: Mario Lucia, Penticton Vees
Coastal Conference: Alex Kerfoot, Coquitlam Express
Best Defenceman Award
Interior Conference: Mike Reilly, Penticton Vees
Coastal Conference: Craig Dalrymple, Powell River Kings
Bob Fenton Trophy – Most Sportsmanlike Player
Interior Conference: Regan Soquila, Merritt Centennials
Coastal Conference: Alex Kerfoot, Coquitlam Express
Joe Tennant Memorial Trophy – Coach of the Year
Interior Conference: Fred Harbinson, Penticton Vees
Coastal Conference: Matt Erhart, Surrey Eagles
Non-voting awards
Brett Hull Trophy – BCHL Top Scorer
Paul De Jersey, Prince George Spruce Kings (41 goals, 57 assists for 98 points)
Goaltending Award (Lowest goals-against average of goalies with 1,000 minutes played)
Michael Garteig, Penticton Vees (1.93 GAA, 2,578 minutes played)
Wally Forslund Award – Top Goaltending Tandem (best combined goals-against average)
Sean Maguire and Jonah Imoo, Powell River Kings (2.05 GAA)
Captain Alex Petan is the Coastal Conference MVP. The third year forward had a break out season leading all Coastal Conference scorers with 38 goals and 50 assists for 88 points. He was 9 points clear of the 2nd highest scorer in the Coastal Confernce Cowichan Valley's Devin Gannon. Overall Petan finished 5th in BCHL scoring.
Petan becomes the third player in Express history to win the Coastal Conference MVP award joining Kyle Turris and Carlo Finucci who won it in back to back years in 2007 and 2008.
Rookie Alex Kerfoot won 2 BCHL awards. The Coastal Conference Rookie of the year and Most Sportsmanlike player. This season Kerfoot scored 25 goals and 44 assists for 69 points in 51 games. The 17 year old forward was tied with teammate Brady Shaw as the top scoring first year forward in the BCHL. The next highest scoring first year forward in the BCHL was Surrey's Alex Hagen who finished with 43 points, 26 points behind the West Vancouver native. And Kerfoot was only penalized for 24 minutes this season.
Kerfoot becomes the 4th player in Express history to win the Rookie of the year award joining Brett Hemingway 2002, Kyle Turris 2006 and Destry Straight 2011. Plus he is just the second player to win the Most Sportsmanlike player award joining Brock Bradford who won it in 2004.
Here's the full press release from the BCHL:
The British Columbia Hockey League is pleased to announce its award winners for the 2011-12 season. The winners were chosen after a survey of BCHL coaches and executives.
Vern Dye Memorial Trophy – Most Valuable Player
Interior Conference: Paul De Jersey, Prince George Spruce Kings
Coastal Conference: Alex Petan, Coquitlam Express
Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy – Rookie of the Year
Interior Conference: Mario Lucia, Penticton Vees
Coastal Conference: Alex Kerfoot, Coquitlam Express
Best Defenceman Award
Interior Conference: Mike Reilly, Penticton Vees
Coastal Conference: Craig Dalrymple, Powell River Kings
Bob Fenton Trophy – Most Sportsmanlike Player
Interior Conference: Regan Soquila, Merritt Centennials
Coastal Conference: Alex Kerfoot, Coquitlam Express
Joe Tennant Memorial Trophy – Coach of the Year
Interior Conference: Fred Harbinson, Penticton Vees
Coastal Conference: Matt Erhart, Surrey Eagles
Non-voting awards
Brett Hull Trophy – BCHL Top Scorer
Paul De Jersey, Prince George Spruce Kings (41 goals, 57 assists for 98 points)
Goaltending Award (Lowest goals-against average of goalies with 1,000 minutes played)
Michael Garteig, Penticton Vees (1.93 GAA, 2,578 minutes played)
Wally Forslund Award – Top Goaltending Tandem (best combined goals-against average)
Sean Maguire and Jonah Imoo, Powell River Kings (2.05 GAA)
Sunday, March 11, 2012
RECORD SETTING SEASON
The recently completed regular season for the Coquitlam Express can claim the title as the best ever in the 11 season history of the Express in the BCHL.
Numerous team and individual records were broken by the 11-12 edition of the Express.
Here's a look at the new marks that were set this season.
First and foremost, the Express set new marks for most wins (36), points (77) and fewest losses in a season (19). The previous marks for wins was (34), fewest losses (20) and points (74) were set in the 05-06 season. The year the Express won the Royal Bank Cup. The Express also had 34 wins the following season in 06-07.
A new record was also set for road wins this season with 17. That's 34 post game honks of the horn from the team bus as they departed the rink. The old record was 14 road wins set in the 07-08 and 05-06 seasons.
When it comes to individual marks, we'll begin with the most important position.
Despite not starting the season with the Express, goaltender Cole Huggins put his name into the Express record book a few times. He's the first goaltender in Express history to finish the season with a goals against average under 3 at 2.99. Bryce Luker previously set the goals against average record with a 3.03 mark in 05-06.
Huggins also set a new record for save percentage in a season with a .918 mark. Mark Dekanich held the old save percentage record by turning aside .910% of the shots sent his way in 03-04. (Minimum requirement for goaltending records is 10 games played)
Defenceman Clinton Atkinson set new benchmarks for defencemen this season. He set new standards for points (59) and assists (50) by a blueliner in a season. Brad Hunt who captained the 07-08 team held the team record for points with 55 in 07-08. Hunt also shared the assists record in a season with Alan Mazur. They both had 39 helpers in the 07-08 and 04-05 seasons.
Rookie Alex Kerfoot had 44 assists this season. That breaks the mark that was set a year ago by Destry Straight who had 41 assists in his only season in Express colors.
As a compliment to the overall team depth this season for the Express. They had 5 20 goal scorers, (Petan 38, Shaw 33, Siemer 28, Kerfoot 25, McKinney 21). That ties the mark for most 20 goal scorers in a season which was originally set in the 03-04 season.
There were a few other achievements that came close to setting new marks for the Express this season.
The 245 goals the Express scored this season is the 3rd highest total in franchise history. The 260 goals scored by the 06-07 season is the franchise record. The 03-04 team scored the 2nd most goals in a season with 254. And by giving up 13 goals in their final 2 games of the season, it cost the Express a chance at setting a new mark for fewest goals allowed in a season. This season the Express gave up 204 goals. The 06-07 team is the only one to not give up more than 200 goals in a season allowing 198. The 05-06 season saw the Express allow 202 goals.
Captain Alex Petan scored 38 goals this season. That is the 5th highest total in a season by an Express player.
Brady Shaw's 15 powerplay goals is the 5th most overall by an Express player. It's also the 2nd most in a season by a rookie. Brett Hemingway set the Express rookie powerplay goal record in the teams first season in the BCHL in 01-02 with 21.
Alex Kerfoot's 69 points is tied for 3rd most in a season by a rookie. He now shares that mark with Nashville Predators forward Brandon Yip who put up his numbers in the 03-04 season.
Zach Hodder's 12 goals this season is the 2nd most in a season by a defenceman. Brad Hunt holds the record with 16 set in 07-08.
Cole Huggins' 21 wins is the 4th most in a season. The record is 29 set by Kevin Jebson in 07-08.
Numerous team and individual records were broken by the 11-12 edition of the Express.
Here's a look at the new marks that were set this season.
First and foremost, the Express set new marks for most wins (36), points (77) and fewest losses in a season (19). The previous marks for wins was (34), fewest losses (20) and points (74) were set in the 05-06 season. The year the Express won the Royal Bank Cup. The Express also had 34 wins the following season in 06-07.
A new record was also set for road wins this season with 17. That's 34 post game honks of the horn from the team bus as they departed the rink. The old record was 14 road wins set in the 07-08 and 05-06 seasons.
When it comes to individual marks, we'll begin with the most important position.
Despite not starting the season with the Express, goaltender Cole Huggins put his name into the Express record book a few times. He's the first goaltender in Express history to finish the season with a goals against average under 3 at 2.99. Bryce Luker previously set the goals against average record with a 3.03 mark in 05-06.
Huggins also set a new record for save percentage in a season with a .918 mark. Mark Dekanich held the old save percentage record by turning aside .910% of the shots sent his way in 03-04. (Minimum requirement for goaltending records is 10 games played)
Defenceman Clinton Atkinson set new benchmarks for defencemen this season. He set new standards for points (59) and assists (50) by a blueliner in a season. Brad Hunt who captained the 07-08 team held the team record for points with 55 in 07-08. Hunt also shared the assists record in a season with Alan Mazur. They both had 39 helpers in the 07-08 and 04-05 seasons.
Rookie Alex Kerfoot had 44 assists this season. That breaks the mark that was set a year ago by Destry Straight who had 41 assists in his only season in Express colors.
As a compliment to the overall team depth this season for the Express. They had 5 20 goal scorers, (Petan 38, Shaw 33, Siemer 28, Kerfoot 25, McKinney 21). That ties the mark for most 20 goal scorers in a season which was originally set in the 03-04 season.
There were a few other achievements that came close to setting new marks for the Express this season.
The 245 goals the Express scored this season is the 3rd highest total in franchise history. The 260 goals scored by the 06-07 season is the franchise record. The 03-04 team scored the 2nd most goals in a season with 254. And by giving up 13 goals in their final 2 games of the season, it cost the Express a chance at setting a new mark for fewest goals allowed in a season. This season the Express gave up 204 goals. The 06-07 team is the only one to not give up more than 200 goals in a season allowing 198. The 05-06 season saw the Express allow 202 goals.
Captain Alex Petan scored 38 goals this season. That is the 5th highest total in a season by an Express player.
Brady Shaw's 15 powerplay goals is the 5th most overall by an Express player. It's also the 2nd most in a season by a rookie. Brett Hemingway set the Express rookie powerplay goal record in the teams first season in the BCHL in 01-02 with 21.
Alex Kerfoot's 69 points is tied for 3rd most in a season by a rookie. He now shares that mark with Nashville Predators forward Brandon Yip who put up his numbers in the 03-04 season.
Zach Hodder's 12 goals this season is the 2nd most in a season by a defenceman. Brad Hunt holds the record with 16 set in 07-08.
Cole Huggins' 21 wins is the 4th most in a season. The record is 29 set by Kevin Jebson in 07-08.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
CHIEFS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Here's the highlight's of Friday's wild 6-6 tie between the Express and Chiefs.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Friday, March 9, 2012
EXPRESS 11-12 AWARD WINNERS
Prior to the season finale vs. the Chiefs, the Express handed out their year end player awards.
Here's the list of winners for the 2011-12 season.
3 stars award - Alex Petan
Most popular player - Brady Shaw
Rookie of the year - Alex Kerfoot
Most improved - Cole Huggins
Community service - Jason Bird
Outstanding defenceman - Clinton Atkinson
Unsung hero - Malcom McKinney
Top forward - John Siemer
MVP - Alex Petan
Scholarship award - Alex Petan
WILD SEASON ENDER FINISHES IN TIE WITH CHIEFS
In their first meeting since game 7 of the 2004 playoffs, the Coquitlam Express and Chilliwack Chiefs finished a 6-6 tie to end the regular season for the Express.
Justin Georgeson and Brady Shaw each scored a pair of goals for the Express. The Chiefs meanwhile got hat-tricks from both Malcom Gould and Mathieu Tibbet to pace their offensive attack.
It was a back and forth game that saw the Express start fast. Brady Shaw scored his two goals in the first period to give the Express a 2-0 lead after the first period.
A powerplay goal by Justin Georgeson and a even strength marker from Jace Hennig in the second period opened up a 4-0 Express lead.
A goaltending change for the Chiefs pulling Mitch Gillam for Bryton Udy helped wake the visitors up. A pair of goals by Gould and a single by Tibbet had cut the Express lead to one after 40 minutes.
Alex Kerfoot converted a feed from behind the net helped put the Express back up by 2. Then Georgeson's second of the game opened up a 3 goal Express lead with 12 minutes to go. The two goal performance from Georgeson capped off a strong finish to the regular season for the 2nd year Express forward. He scored 6 goals and 2 assists for 8 points in the final 5 games of the season.
Chilliwack, still with a chance to move up into third place in the Interior conference kept applying the pressure on the Express.
Mathieu Tibbet scored his second and third goals of the night to pull the Chiefs back within one with just over 2 minutes to go in the third. Then Malcom Gould tied it up with his hat-trick goal with just 8 seconds remaining in the third period. Chilliwack fired 18 shots the way of Express netminder Cole Huggins in the third period alone.
Both teams had their chances to win it in the extra 10 minutes, but nothing was decided.
Chilliwack out shot the Express 48-29.
The Express finished the season with a 36-19-3-2 record for 77 points and a 4th place finish in the Coastal Conference. Franchise records were set this season for most wins and points in a season. Plus fewest losses in a season.
A playoff opponent is still to be determined for the Express. All that is known at this point is that they will play the first place team in the Coastal conference.
At the conclusion of Friday's games, there's still a chance that the opponent could still be any one of the three other playoff teams Surrey, Powell River or Cowichan Valley.
The Express could play the Surrey Eagles if the Powell River Kings lose their final two games in regulation in Victoria and Nanaimo, and if Cowichan Valley loses their final game.
The Express and Powell River Kings will play each other if they just pick up a single point in their final 2 games.
Whoever the opponent is, the playoffs begin next Friday.
It will be an Express and Cowichan first round matchup if they win their final game vs. Langley and the Kings lose their final 2 games in regulation.
Monday, March 5, 2012
PETAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Coquitlam Express right winger Alex Petan has been named BCHL Player of the Week for the week ending Mar. 4, the league announced on Monday.
Petan led the Express to back-to-back wins over the Langley Rivermen and a 3-2 victory over the Nanaimo Clippers. The Delta native started the week hot, posting a hat-trick in his first game against the Rivermen, a goal and two assists in the second, and finished with a goal versus the Clippers.
The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder leads the Express in points and has moved to sixth in the BCHL with 37 goals and 48 assists on the season.
Honourable mentions this week go to Cowichan Valley Capitals forward Brett Knowles (three goals, two 1st Stars), Surrey Eagles defenseman Steve Koshey (two goals, four assists), Penticton Vees forward Travis St. Denis (three goals two assists, one 1st Star, one 2nd Star), Penticton Vees defenceman Mike Reilly (two goals, two assists, one 2nd Star) and Chilliwack Chiefs forward Malcolm Gould (four goals, one 1st Star, one 3rd Star).
Sunday, March 4, 2012
CLIPPERS @ EXPRESS HI-LITES
Here's the highlights of the Express' 3-2 win over Nanaimo Sunday.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
RECORD SETTING WIN
The Coquitlam Express set a franchise record with their 35th win of the season 3-2 over the Nanaimo Clippers.
The win breaks the mark set in back to back years in 05-06 and 06-07. The win also keeps the Express perfect this season vs. Nanaimo having won all 6 head to head meetings.
Alex Petan kept up his strong weekend by opening the scoring on the powerplay less than 3 minutes into the game. He converted a nice pass by Justin Georgeson and slid it past Billy Faust.
The goal capped off a 7 point weekend for the Express captain. He had a hat-trick and scored the game winning goal in the 5-4 win over Langley Friday. Saturday he had a goal and 2 assists including helping set up Zach Hodder's game winner with 33 seconds left. Could those numbers be worthy of BCHL player of the week honours?
The first period saw a rare parade to the penalty box for the Express being shorthanded 4 times. Included in that was a 5 on 3 disadvantage for 38 seconds.
Josh Phillips scored just his second goal of the season from the slot to tie the game at one shortly after the 5 on 3 had expired.
Clinton Atkinson wrote his name into the Express record book in the second period. His powerplay goal was his 9th of the season. It was also his 55th point of the season which tied an Express franchise record for most points in a season by a defenceman set by Brad Hunt in the 07-08 season. Atkinson has picked up goals in 4 of his last 7 games.
Alex Kerfoot picked up his 41st assist on the goal. That helper set a new Express record for most assists in a season by a rookie breaking the mark of 40 set last season by Destry Straight.
The 4th powerplay goal of the game between the two teams pulled the Clippers even again at two. Graeme McCormack made a great back door pass to Andrew Gladiuk who slid it past Khaleed Devji.
The game remained tied at two until the midway mark of the third period. Zach Hodder fired a shot wide of the goal, it bounced off the end boards right to Justin Georgeson who snapped in the net and got just enough on it to find the net despite the best efforts of a Nanaimo defender to try and get a stick on Georgeson's shot and block it.
Khaleed Devji picked up his 4th career BCHL assist on the goal. He had 3 helpers in his first BCHL season last year.
The assist was a nice bonus on what was a very solid performance for the Express goaltender. He was steady all game long turning aside 40 of 42 Clipper shots sent his way.
This weekend was the 9th time this season the Express have played 3 games in 3 nights. The Express improved their record to a remarkable 6-3 in the 3rd game of the back to back to back sets.
Not much time to rest for the Express. They will rest up Monday before hitting the road for games in Victoria Tuesday and Wednesday in Nanaimo. They will then wrap up the regular season Friday vs. Chilliwack.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
EXPRESS CLUTCH UP FOR ANOTHER LATE WIN
It was deja vu all over again for the Express as they posted their second straight 5-4 win over the Langley Rivermen thanks to a late game winning goal to sweep the home and home.
Friday night it was Zach Hodder helping set up Alex Petan's game winning goal with 1:43 to go. Saturday night the roles were reversed as Petan helped set up Zach Hodder who scored the game winning goal with just 33 seconds left in the third period.
Again the Express were able to jump early on the Rivermen. This time around they were able to find their offence as Brady Shaw and AP Eric Margo scored first period goals for the Express. The extra skating room at the Langley Events Centre helped open up the game a little more. Coquitlam fired 21 first period shots on 16 year old Rivermen netminder Nic Renyard.
Friday the Express got goals 3:16 apart in the second period to cut into a 3-0 Rivermen lead. Saturday Mario Puskarich scored twice in a span of 3:17 by firing a pair of quick wristers past a screened Cole Huggins each time to tie the game at two.
Justin Georgeson put the Express back in the lead shortly thereafter on the powerplay as he took a feed from Petan and snapped it into an open net just 1:48 after Puskarich's 2-2 goal.
The teams kept trading goals in the third period. Peter McMullen snapped a wrist shot from the right wing by Cole Huggins.
Alex Petan put the Express back in the lead after taking a feed out of the corner from Mitch Nardi and snapping a shot top shelf for the captain's 36th goal of the season.
Less than a minute later however the game was tied again. Jackson Playfair tipped a Austin Plevy shot for a powerplay goal to tie the game at 4.
With the game on the line in the dying moments, Cole Huggins came up with the save of the game for the Express robbing Sebastien Pare in front of the net with a great glove save with about 3 minutes to go.
That save proved to be a game saver for the Express as in the final minute Zach Hodder read the play and pinched down from his right point position as was in the right spot to bang home a rebound to put the Express in the lead for good.
The win for the Express was their 34th of the season which ties the franchise record for most wins in a season set in both the 05-06 and 06-07 seasons.
Not much time to rest for the Express as they will play their third game in as many days Sunday afternoon vs. Nanaimo.
RIVERMEN @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Here's the highlights of the Express' playoff clinching 5-4 win over Langley Friday night.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Friday, March 2, 2012
EXPRESS PUNCH RETURN TICKET TO PLAYOFFS
The Coquitlam Express clinched a second consecutive trip to the Fred Page cup playoffs thanks to a hard fought 5-4 come from behind win over the Langley Rivermen.
The club earned at least the 4th and final Coastal conference spot by posting their 33rd win of the season.
It wasn't the easiest of contests vs. a Langley team that played a close checking affair all night long and made the home team work for everything that they got.
The Express jumped on Langley hard in the opening minutes of the game and opening a size able early advantage in shots. Goaltender James Barr was strong turning aside every Express bid sent his way.
Ben Greiner opened the scoring against the flow of play sliding a sharp angle shot through the legs of Cole Huggins on just the second shot of the game for Langley.
Now with the lead, Langley really slowed the game down. They sat back in their neutral zone trap and made life difficult for the Express coming out of their own end. It certainly didn't do anything for the entertainment value of this game.
Late in the opening frame Chris Tracy extended the Langley lead cutting into the slot and firing a shot over the shoulder of Huggins. The goal came just seconds after a Rivermen powerplay had expired.
A powerplay goal by Darnell Dyck gave Langley a 3-0 lead 5 minutes into the second period. That goal ended Cole Huggins night after 3 goals on 11 shots.
A three goal deficit for most teams facing a club like Langley trying to slow it down and stifle the offensive attack of most teams might be too much to overcome. But it's not too much for this years edition of the Express.
They finally got the boost they were looking for as they began mounting their comeback as Alex Kerfoot teed up a slapshot for Clinton Atkinson to give the Express a shorthanded goal.
There's no doubt that goal turned the fortunes of this game back in favour of the Express.
Riding the momentum of the shorthanded marker, the Express pressed hard looking to get back into the game. Just 3;16 after Atkinson's tally, Zach Hodder made a nice drop pass to Alex Petan who quickly fired it past Barr and the lead was cut down to one.
The Express kept applying the pressure until the end of the second period looking for the equalizer.
That goal didn't come until the Express got just their second powerplay of the game early in the third. Brady Shaw tried a centering pass which was blocked but the puck came right back to Shaw who easily put it in the net for his 14th powerplay goal of the season to tie the game at 3.
The club earned at least the 4th and final Coastal conference spot by posting their 33rd win of the season.
It wasn't the easiest of contests vs. a Langley team that played a close checking affair all night long and made the home team work for everything that they got.
The Express jumped on Langley hard in the opening minutes of the game and opening a size able early advantage in shots. Goaltender James Barr was strong turning aside every Express bid sent his way.
Ben Greiner opened the scoring against the flow of play sliding a sharp angle shot through the legs of Cole Huggins on just the second shot of the game for Langley.
Now with the lead, Langley really slowed the game down. They sat back in their neutral zone trap and made life difficult for the Express coming out of their own end. It certainly didn't do anything for the entertainment value of this game.
Late in the opening frame Chris Tracy extended the Langley lead cutting into the slot and firing a shot over the shoulder of Huggins. The goal came just seconds after a Rivermen powerplay had expired.
A powerplay goal by Darnell Dyck gave Langley a 3-0 lead 5 minutes into the second period. That goal ended Cole Huggins night after 3 goals on 11 shots.
A three goal deficit for most teams facing a club like Langley trying to slow it down and stifle the offensive attack of most teams might be too much to overcome. But it's not too much for this years edition of the Express.
They finally got the boost they were looking for as they began mounting their comeback as Alex Kerfoot teed up a slapshot for Clinton Atkinson to give the Express a shorthanded goal.
There's no doubt that goal turned the fortunes of this game back in favour of the Express.
Riding the momentum of the shorthanded marker, the Express pressed hard looking to get back into the game. Just 3;16 after Atkinson's tally, Zach Hodder made a nice drop pass to Alex Petan who quickly fired it past Barr and the lead was cut down to one.
The Express kept applying the pressure until the end of the second period looking for the equalizer.
That goal didn't come until the Express got just their second powerplay of the game early in the third. Brady Shaw tried a centering pass which was blocked but the puck came right back to Shaw who easily put it in the net for his 14th powerplay goal of the season to tie the game at 3.
Alex Kerfoot picked up his second assist of the game and 41st helper of the season on that goal. Kerfoot's 41 assists now ties him with Destry Straight for the most in a season by an Express rookie.
But just 30 seconds later Langley went ahead again. Alex Petan whiffed on a pass on a 4 on 2 rush allowing Austin Plevy and Darnell Dyck to break out 2 on 1 the other way. Plevy put a perfect pass on the tape of Dyck who roofed it over a sprawled out Khaleed Devji.
Again the Express mustered the energy to mount a comeback. Malcom McKinney made a great behind the back pass to Petan who one timed it home to pull the Express even at 4 with his second of the game.
McKinney finished the game with a pair of helpers. It was hard not to notice him on this night. Aside from his slick play making, McKinney was also making his presence felt physically on this night. He delivered at least three solid hits. One of those hits knocked rookie defenceman Bo Pellah out of the game in the second period.
The clock ticked down to the final minutes of the third period still tied at 4. Alex Petan finally broke the deadlock with 1:43 to go. He fired a shot from the middle of the ice wide of the Langley goal, but was able to gather his own rebound and finish off his second hat-trick of the season to give the Express their first lead of the game.
It was also the second hat-trick for the Express captain vs. Langley this season.
What makes this win impressive for the Express is how they never allowed themselves to get frustrated with Langley's tight checking style and maintain their composure which allowed them to come back and win. If there's anything that can be learned from what we've seen from the Express during this 5 game homestand that is now complete, it's that the Express are never out of a game. They've had a few games where they've came from behind.
Even though they played a number of teams that tried their best to try and shutdown the Express explosive attack, they never lost focus and found ways to work for the full 60 minutes and find a way to win.
This home stand has proven that the Express are never out of a game. And they will battle a team hard all game long.
The Express and Rivermen will go at it again for the second of a home and home Saturday night in Langley.
But just 30 seconds later Langley went ahead again. Alex Petan whiffed on a pass on a 4 on 2 rush allowing Austin Plevy and Darnell Dyck to break out 2 on 1 the other way. Plevy put a perfect pass on the tape of Dyck who roofed it over a sprawled out Khaleed Devji.
Again the Express mustered the energy to mount a comeback. Malcom McKinney made a great behind the back pass to Petan who one timed it home to pull the Express even at 4 with his second of the game.
McKinney finished the game with a pair of helpers. It was hard not to notice him on this night. Aside from his slick play making, McKinney was also making his presence felt physically on this night. He delivered at least three solid hits. One of those hits knocked rookie defenceman Bo Pellah out of the game in the second period.
The clock ticked down to the final minutes of the third period still tied at 4. Alex Petan finally broke the deadlock with 1:43 to go. He fired a shot from the middle of the ice wide of the Langley goal, but was able to gather his own rebound and finish off his second hat-trick of the season to give the Express their first lead of the game.
It was also the second hat-trick for the Express captain vs. Langley this season.
What makes this win impressive for the Express is how they never allowed themselves to get frustrated with Langley's tight checking style and maintain their composure which allowed them to come back and win. If there's anything that can be learned from what we've seen from the Express during this 5 game homestand that is now complete, it's that the Express are never out of a game. They've had a few games where they've came from behind.
Even though they played a number of teams that tried their best to try and shutdown the Express explosive attack, they never lost focus and found ways to work for the full 60 minutes and find a way to win.
This home stand has proven that the Express are never out of a game. And they will battle a team hard all game long.
The Express and Rivermen will go at it again for the second of a home and home Saturday night in Langley.
A playoff opponent for the Express is still to be determined. What is known is they will begin their quest to BCHL supremacy two weeks from tonight on March 16th.
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