The Coquitlam Express went to the Island for a pair of games this weekend in Victoria and Nanaimo. And they came home with all 4 points. Overall the Express went 2-1 this weekend after dropping a 2-1 decision on home ice Friday to Surrey.
Saturday, the Express played their third and final meeting with the Victoria Grizzlies. The teams had split the first two meetings so far this season.
The Express faced Victoria goaltender Michael Stiliadis for a second straight game. Last week he stood on his head making 40 saves in a 2-1 Grizzlies win.
The offence got rolling early. 16 year old Luca Leone scored his first BCHL goal to get the Express on the board less than 4 minutes into the game.
Jace Hennig then added his first of the year to put the Express up by a pair.
AP Justin Polischuk scored for Victoria to cut the Express lead to one after the opening 20 minutes.
Dante Hahn struck on the man advantage in the opening minutes of the second period to pull Victoria even. It was the first powerplay goal allowed by the Express this season. The penalty killing opened the season having killed off 32 straight opposition powerplays.
The game remained tied until late in the third period. Victoria's David Mazurek was assessed a 5 minute major penalty for a hit to the head. Callum Hofford scored on the ensuing powerplay with 1:41 to go to put the Express up for good.
Cole Huggins turned aside 26 of 28 Express shots for the win.
Sunday, the Express jumped on their opposition in the first period again. Jace Henning scored for a second straight game. This time on the powerplay to open the scoring. Then John Siemer scored with 1 second remaining in the period to give the Express a 2-0 lead heading to the second period.
Josh Bryan cut into the Express lead 2 minutes into the second period with a powerplay goal.
The Express powerplay quickly responded. Alexander Kerfoot scored his first goal of the season to put the Express back up by a pair.
Nanaimo captain Trevor Fitzgerald cut the Express lead back down to one before the second period was through.
Kerfoot scored his second of the game midway through the third to give the Express some insurance. Just over two minutes later Zach Pryzbek put the game away scoring the third powerplay goal of the game for the Express.
It was a breakout game for the second year Express forward. Kerfoot finished with 2 goals and 2 assists. John Siemer had 1 goal and 2 assists. Jace Hennig and Zach Pryzbeck each had 1 goal and 1 assist. Captain Mitch Nardi had a pair of helpers.
Cole Huggins improved to 5-1 on the season turning aside 38 of 40 Nanaimo shots.
The Express defence has been tough to penetrate all season long. They still have not allowed more than 2 goals in a game through 8 contests this season.
Next weekend the Express have a home and home with division rival Chilliwack starting Friday in Coquitlam.
It's the start of a very division heavy schedule for the month of October that will see the Express play 5 of 7 games against Mainland division opponents.
Saturday, the Express played their third and final meeting with the Victoria Grizzlies. The teams had split the first two meetings so far this season.
The Express faced Victoria goaltender Michael Stiliadis for a second straight game. Last week he stood on his head making 40 saves in a 2-1 Grizzlies win.
The offence got rolling early. 16 year old Luca Leone scored his first BCHL goal to get the Express on the board less than 4 minutes into the game.
Jace Hennig then added his first of the year to put the Express up by a pair.
AP Justin Polischuk scored for Victoria to cut the Express lead to one after the opening 20 minutes.
Dante Hahn struck on the man advantage in the opening minutes of the second period to pull Victoria even. It was the first powerplay goal allowed by the Express this season. The penalty killing opened the season having killed off 32 straight opposition powerplays.
The game remained tied until late in the third period. Victoria's David Mazurek was assessed a 5 minute major penalty for a hit to the head. Callum Hofford scored on the ensuing powerplay with 1:41 to go to put the Express up for good.
Cole Huggins turned aside 26 of 28 Express shots for the win.
Sunday, the Express jumped on their opposition in the first period again. Jace Henning scored for a second straight game. This time on the powerplay to open the scoring. Then John Siemer scored with 1 second remaining in the period to give the Express a 2-0 lead heading to the second period.
Josh Bryan cut into the Express lead 2 minutes into the second period with a powerplay goal.
The Express powerplay quickly responded. Alexander Kerfoot scored his first goal of the season to put the Express back up by a pair.
Nanaimo captain Trevor Fitzgerald cut the Express lead back down to one before the second period was through.
Kerfoot scored his second of the game midway through the third to give the Express some insurance. Just over two minutes later Zach Pryzbek put the game away scoring the third powerplay goal of the game for the Express.
It was a breakout game for the second year Express forward. Kerfoot finished with 2 goals and 2 assists. John Siemer had 1 goal and 2 assists. Jace Hennig and Zach Pryzbeck each had 1 goal and 1 assist. Captain Mitch Nardi had a pair of helpers.
Cole Huggins improved to 5-1 on the season turning aside 38 of 40 Nanaimo shots.
The Express defence has been tough to penetrate all season long. They still have not allowed more than 2 goals in a game through 8 contests this season.
Next weekend the Express have a home and home with division rival Chilliwack starting Friday in Coquitlam.
It's the start of a very division heavy schedule for the month of October that will see the Express play 5 of 7 games against Mainland division opponents.