A LITTLE DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN IN FINAL PLAYOFF TUNEUP

If you felt like you had experienced a deja vu by about 7:30pm Saturday you were probably right.

The Express for a second straight game saw Chilliwack score 4 first period goals in less than 10 minutes to open up a 4-0 lead. This time finishing with a 6-1 win over the Express to conclude the regular season.

Friday Chilliwack scored four goals in a 6:52 span and had a 4-0 lead by the 16:04 mark.

They didn't waste as much time Saturday getting a four goal bulge on the Express.

In the opening minute Tipper Higgins found himself with room in the slot and he let a wrist shot fly that beat Chris Tai just :43 seconds in.

33 seconds later the Chiefs struck again as a Jake Hand dump in hit a stanchion in the corner to the left of Tai and bounced in front of a vacated net as Chris Tai went out awaiting the pucks arrival which never came and Scott Davidson buried the puck into the open net.

In a pair of games where both teams were looking for things they can learn going into the playoff series between the two teams that begins Tuesday, Chris Tai can learn that the net he will guard for the first and third periods has a stanchion at the zamboni entrance that could make pucks do funny things on dump ins.

5:02 later it was 3-0 Chilliwack as Rory Bell beat Chris Tai with a wrist shot from the left wing. Craig Puffer got the fourth Chilliwack goal of the opening frame as his wrist shot from the slot hit a body on the way to the net and trickled past Chris Tai. Certainly two of the goals to get past Tai were tough bounces.

Saturday Chilliwack got four goals on 14 shots in a span of 9:41.

When the playoffs begin Tuesday, the mental part of the game is key to any teams success. And the ability to have a short memory and forget things that don't go right and finding a way to re-focus is key. Well Saturday night we were given a great example of Chris Tai's ability to let by gones be by gones and focus on the next task.

The Express net minder would finish the night seeing a personal season high 56 shots and what he did in the 43 minutes and 38 seconds between goals 4 and 5 of the night for Chilliwack was remarkable.

As he was getting peppered with puck after puck and facing 36 shots between goals and some high quality Chiefs chances, Tai shut the door and was as good as I've ever seen him this season. He kept the game from reaching double digits with some of the saves he made. And to come up with a performance like that after the start he endured tells you a lot about his character.

Certainly the Express will need to play much better in front of Tai starting Tuesday. If that happens and Tai is on like was after his rough start for the whole game the Express have a chance in this series.

Chilliwack's fast start on the other hand in the last two outings shows their ability to be ready to play and the Express must make sure they're ready to match it.

Chilliwack rounded out the scoring on a Peter Forsberg like one handed goal by Jake Hand to make it 5-1 on the Chiefs 51st shot. I don't think that goal will be on a postage stamp anytime soon. Tai very much might have had a chance on that goal to make another great save if he was 5'11 instead of 5'9 as he stretched out to try make the save. The final goal for the Chiefs was a Ryan Bowen wrist shot that hit an Express defender and found the twine.

Brett Supinski scored the lone Express goal in the final minute of the second period finishing off a give and go with Corey Mackin. Supinski finishes the season with 48 goals and 98 points. Mackin completes his BCHL scoring championship season with 50 goals and 104 points which puts him in a tie with Tyler McNeely for the second most points in a season by an Express player.

The Express know they weren't at their best in these final two games of the regular season. They know the intensity level goes up a few notches starting Tuesday.

When the Express have been at their best in the final 6 weeks or so of the season they've been able to spread their offense around pretty equally around the lineup. That will need to come to the forefront again starting Tuesday.

Chilliwack's balanced attack is one area of note I've looked closely at in advance of this series. It showed itself in these two games by scoring 11 goals and only Jake Hand scored more than once with three goals. Eight other players scored goals for Chilliwack in the final two games.

Now the time has arrived to be willing to sacrifice for the guy sitting next to you in that dressing room. Be committed as the Express open the playoffs Tuesday embarking on that journey again which can be a magical ride as the Express look to keep the Fred Page Cup in Coquitlam for another spring and summer.

EXPRESS SEASON AWARDS

As is tradition for the Express the final regular season home game it means the Express take time to recognize the players for their efforts on and off the ice with year end awards. You're award winners for this year are.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER - Noah Turanski and Jackson Cressey.

MOST POPULAR PLAYER - Joey Santucci

UNSUNG HERO - Brendan Lamont

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT - Joey Santucci and Jackson Cressey

TOP SCORER - Corey Mackin

PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARDS - Corey Mackin

TOP FORWARD - Corey Mackin and Brett Supinski

OUTSTANDNG DEFENCEMAN - Daniel Fritz

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Brett Supinski MVP - Corey Mackin

OLD PLAYOFF RIVALRY RENEWED

The Chilliwack Chiefs set up a first round matchup with the Express with a 5-2 win over the Express in the final regular season home game for the Express. There wasn't much for either team to play for entering the game. The Express had an outside chance to move up to third place with wins in the final two regular season games vs. Chilliwack and a pair of Spruce Kings regulation losses. But that didn't happen. Chilliwack had first place sewn up in the Mainland division. The Express had a chance to help get Brett Supinski his 50th goal and 100th point as he entered the game with 47 goals and 97 points. Knowing these teams would likely meet in the first round at puck drop neither team really wanted to tip their hand much for what we may see come game 1 on Tuesday. The Express got off to a fast start by opening up an early 8-1 advantage in shots in the first 8 minutes but Aidan Pelino kept the Express at bay. Then Chilliwack began to find their game and instantly it seemed the flood gates opened. Jordan Kawaguchi on a wraparound scored his 28th of the season to get Chilliwack going. The goal pulled him into a tie for the team lead in goals with Craig Puffer. 90 seconds later it was Brandon Potomak extending the lead as his backhand from the right wing hit Braden Krogfoss went up in the air and had just enough to cross the goal line for a 2-0 lead. Potomak was one of the more dangerous Chiefs all night using his speed. 1:52 after that it was 3-0 as Jake Hand scored the prettiest goal of the night as he was able to dance around an Express defenceman and score. Hand wasn't done there as he added his second of the period 3:30 later on the power play as his wrist shot from the left circle found the back of the net. The shot may have hit some of the traffic in front of the Express net. When all was said and done it was a 4-0 Chiefs first period lead in a span of 6:52. For as much it was a tough first period for Braden Krogfoss, he deserves recognition for shutting the door in the final two periods to give his team a chance to try and claw back into the game. He's had a very strong finish to the season allowing Head Coach Barry Wolff to split his goaltending duties pretty equally in the final month or so to make sure stater Chris Tai is fresh after a pretty heavy workload after first coming to the Express from the AJHL. The second period the Express did their best looking to try and claw into the deficit. It was clear in the first few shifts there was a concerted effort to help set up Brett Supinski to help him pull closer to the milestones he's trying to achieve. His best chance came in the second as he cut to the net and just slid the puck past the far post. The top line was unable to hit the scoresheet Friday night. Taylor Green got the Express on the board as Daniell Lange and Colton Kerfoot teamed up to set up Green who scored his 4th of the season with a wrist shot over the glove of Pelino. The line of Michael Merulla, Owen Stout and Brendan Gulka has been providing a nice touch of secondary scoring to the Express attack recently. The latter two teamed up to set up Daniell Lange three minutes into the third period to cut the deficit to two. The assists extended point streaks to five games for both Stout and Gulka with two goals and four assist each in that time. With plenty of time left on the clock I at least had the thought that there was plenty of time left for the big guns to do their thing and take over the game to help mount an Express comeback. It wasn't meant to be as Pelino shut the door the rest of the way to finish with 29 saves to post the win. Jake Larson was credited with an empty net goal after the final horn had sounded but it was just one final detail in the Chiefs victory. The regular season comes to an end Saturday night in Chilliwack with one final head to head meeting before the teams do it with bigger stakes at hand in the first round. Get ready folks the Express and Chiefs are going to get very familiar with one another with possibly up to 9 consecutive meetings on the horizon. This is the first playoff meeting between the teams since 2007 when the Express and Chiefs met in the playoffs in the first six seasons of the Express existence with the Express based in Coquitlam and Burnaby. And the Chiefs residing in Chilliwack and Langley. The Chiefs won the first four meetings from 02-05 with the latter three being decided in 7 games. The Express took the last two playoff match ups between the two teams winning in 5 games in 2006 and in the 7th game in overtime the next year. Those historical facts don't mean a thing to the players or coaches especially when the puck drops Tuesday. It only gives me something to talk about.

MACKIN, SUPINSKI, FRITZ SWEEP BCHL AWARD NOMNIEES FOR MAINLAND DIVISION

After a round of online polls done by the head coaches, the BCHL is announcing this season’s finalists for the league awards.

The coaches poll determined a finalist from each division. Another poll is currently underway which will determine the ultimate winner for each award.

Unlike past seasons when there was a winner from each conference for each award, there will be just one winner per award as the league is currently aligned into three divisions.

The trophy winners will be announced next week just ahead of the start of the playoffs.

Vern Dye Memorial Trophy (MVP):

Interior: Jake Lucchini – Forward – Trail Smoke Eaters

Mainland: Corey Mackin – Forward – Coquitlam Express

Island: Guillaume Decelles – Goaltender – Nanaimo Clippers

Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year):

Interior: Liam Finlay – Forward – Vernon Vipers

Mainland: Brett Supinski – Forward – Coquitlam Express 

Island: Brett Gruber – Forward – Victoria Grizzlies

Top Defenceman Award:

Interior: Andrew Farny – Salmon Arm Silverbacks 

Mainland: Daniel Fritz – Coquitlam Express

Island: Kurt Gosselin – Alberni Valley Bulldogs

Bob Fenton Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike):

Interior: John Schiavo – Forward – Merritt Centennials

Mainland: Corey Mackin – Forward – Coquitlam Express 

Island: Sean Harrison – Forward – Cowichan Valley Capitals

Joe Tennant Memorial Trophy (Coach of the Year):

Interior: Fred Harbinson – Penticton Vees
Mainland: Jason Tatarnic – Chilliwack Chiefs Island:

Mike Vandekamp – Nanaimo Clippers

The league’s non-voting awards (Top Goaltender, Goalie Tandem and Top Scorer) will be included in the release next week with the voting awards.

MACKIN GETS 100TH POINT AND 50TH GOAL IN EXPRESS 5TH STRAIGHT WIN

Corey Mackin picked up his 100th point and 50th goal all part of a 4 point night in a 6-4 Express win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals. The win extended the Express winning streak to 5 straight overall and 8 straight on home ice. Click here for box score

Mackin finished with two goals and two assists and now has 103 points on the season.

The BCHL scoring leader entered the game sitting on 48 goals and 99 points. Mackin and his line mates Brett Supinski and Brendan Lamont were flying early and it was clear right away that they were determined to make sure Mackin hit his milestones on this night.

Mackin got the first milestone out of the way early as he set up Brendan Lamont who scored his 25th of the season to open the scoring at 2:53. The goal was the 100th point for Mackin. For Lamont that's his 5th goal in his last 4 games. Lamont extended his point streak to six games with 5 goals and 4 assists in that time after finishing with 1 goal and 2 assists.

Despite no playoffs for the opposition, the Capitals battled hard all night. They quickly tied it less than two minutes later on a goal by Ryan Burton.

Every shift the line of Mackin, Lamont and Supinski on the ice they were creating quality scoring chances for the Express. Lamont came inches away from his second of the period by ringing a shot off the underside of the crossbar midway through the first period.

Mackin wouldn't be sitting on 100 points for long as he scored his 49th of the season at 11:02 to restore the Express lead.

Again however the Caps wouldn't go away as Darien Craighead came down the right wing and scored on a wrist shot that trickled through Braden Krogfoss at 14:10.

Ryan Burton added his second of the night with just over four minutes remaining in the second period finishing off a 3 on 1 rush in the Express zone.

The lead only lasted 11 seconds as the line of Michael Merulla, Brendan Gulka and Owen Stout went to work and off the face-off Stout scored on a rebound at the side of the net following an Austin Anselmo shot to even the game at three. That goal would be the first of a very solid night for that line for the Express.

Luke Santerno gave Cowichan their second lead of the game just past the 12 minute mark of the third period converting a set up from Darien Craighead.

Like the last Capitals lead this one didn't last long either. And like their previous lead it was the line of Gulka, Stout and Merulla pulling the Express even again. This time the response came 24 seconds later on a goal by Brendan Gulka. That line combined for 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points. Stout and Gulka have now compiled 2 goals and 3 assists during a 4 game point streak, Michael Merulla has 1 goal and 3 assists in his last four outings.

52 seconds after Gulka's goal the Express took the lead on a goal from Brett Supinski who scored his 47th of the season on a neat set up from behind the net by Brendan Lamont. Supinski finished with 1 goal and 3 assists. He now has 47 goals and 97 points this season.

Then in the dying moments Barry Wolff sent out his big guns to protect a one goal lead first with Lane Micahsiw on the bench for the extra attacker. The puck came to Lamont at the Caps line who slid the puck across to Mackin to hit the empty net for his 50th of the season.

Mackin becomes the third player in Express history to score 50 goals joining Kyle Turris who scored 66 on 2007 and Brodie Reid who scored 52 the next season. Both when the franchise was based in Burnaby. Mackin's 103 points now puts him 3rd all time amongst Express top season point producers surpassing Carlo Finucci's 102 in 2008 the only other time the Express have had a scoring champion.

Up next on the list is Tyler McNeely who had 104 points in 2007 teaming up with Kyle Turris that year who set the record with 121.

Mackin becomes the first player since Mitch McMillan to score 50 goals in the BCHL season when McMillan scored 61 in 2010 for Alberni Valley. He's also the first player to get 100 points in a season since Beau Bennett, Denver Manderson (PEN) and Mark Zengerle (SA) also in the 2010 season.

Up next the Express will conclude the regular season with a home and home with the Chilliwack Chiefs starting Friday in Coquitlam.

EAGLES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights from the Express 6-4 win over Surrey Wednesday night.

Highlights courtesy of Jorge Parra and Underdog Productions. 

EXPRESS EXTEND WIN STREAK TO 4

The Coquiltam Express won their fourth straight game and seventh straight on home ice with a 6-4 win over the Surrey Eagles.

The win was also the 7th win in a row vs. Surrey this season.

Perhaps the first period was a sign as to how things would go for the Express on this night. It took them awhile to get their A game rolling and Surrey made the Express battle for what they would get on this night.

Brendan Lamont opened the scoring as he showed a good burst of speed busting down the left wing then cutting to the net to score his 24th of the season and 4th goal in his last 3 games. That would be the only goal of a first period that saw the Eagles outshoot the Express 10-8.

Early in the second the Express added to their lead as Brett Supinski went coast to coast for a shorthanded goal and 2-0 Express lead on his 46th of the season just 1:12 into the frame. It was the BCHL leading 14th shorthanded goal for the Express this season.

With a two goal lead it appeared the Express might be on their way. Surrey however began to find their stride in the second period. They started to take control of the game and owning the puck in the Express end sending lots of rubber the way of Chris Tai.

On a 4 on 3 powerplay Darious Davidson got the Eagles on the board blasting home a one timer from the left circle.

That goal really sparked Surrey who tied the game just 1:11 later on a goal by Owen Johnson who ripped a slapshot past Chris Tai. With a 15-5 advantage in shots at one point in the second period, Chris Tai was doing everything in his power to keep the Surrey surge from taking the lead.

Was it a case of the Express taking Surrey a little too lightly? Were to big guns focused too much on trying to get Corey Mackin his 50th goal and 100th point? We'll never know. But I personally couldn't help but wonder.

Colton Kerfoot restored the Express lead before the second period was done with a wraparound goal at 15:22 for his 11th of the season. That goal stemmed the tide of the Surrey attack somewhat.

Early in the third the Express got their two lead goal back just 1:33 into it as Jackson Cressey showed great vison and play making ability with a cross ice pass to Joey Santucci who put the Express up 4-2.

Then Corey Mackin struck for his only goal of the night snapping home a pass off a won faceoff by Brett Supinski and scoring his 48th of the season. Mackin finished with 1 goal and 1 assist and now is sitting on 99 points this season.

Brendan Gulka made sure the Express got goals from three seperate lines for a third straight game by banging home a loose puck after Owen Stout used his speed to cut the puck to the net.

Darius Davidson rounded out the scoring by completing a hat-trick with a powerplay goal with just under five minutes to go, then scoring on a breakaway with 1 second left to make it a 6-4 final.
Surrey outshot the Express 38-27. Chris Tai finished with 34 saves and has now on 7 straight decisions and 8 of his last 9.

Up next the Express will host the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Friday night.

RIVERMEN @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the Express 7-2 win over Langley Saturday night.

Highlights courtesy of Jorge Parra and Underdog Productions.

EXPRESS TAKE SEASON SERIES WITH RIVERMEN

Express celebrate 7-2 win Saturday night.

 The Coquitlam Express completed their second sweep of a home and home with the Langley Rivermen with a convincing 7-2 win Saturday night in Coquitlam.

The win was the 5th in 8 regular season games with Langley this season. In fact the Express took 5 of the last 6 meetings between the two teams.

It was a second straight outing where the Express got offense from throughout the lineup. But this time, Corey Mackin, Brett Supinski and Brendan Lamont left a bigger imprint on the scoresheet when the night was done compared to the night before.

Like Friday the Express opened the scoring before the game was three minutes old. Former Rivermen Brendan Gulka drove the puck to the net and Michael Merulla was able to jam the puck home from under Rivermen goaltender Bo Didur. Didur wasn't particularly happy with the length of time that Merulla was allowed to prod at the puck. That was the first of a number of times that Didur would be aggravated with the Express when they were around his crease.

The Rivermen equalized just over six minutes later as Ben Butcher from the left wing would snap a shot through the legs of Brayden Krogfoss to tie the game at one. That would be the only puck to get past him in the first period as Krogfoss finished with 13 saves on 14 Rivermen shots in the first period.

Late in the first period with the Express shorthanded Corey Mackin found himself finishing off a play of the highlight reel variety. But it wouldn't be Mackin's play that left people in awe. It was the lob pass by defenceman Nic Coltura who lifted the puck in the air from his own zone and that allowed Mackin to skate underneath it and pick up the puck as it fell to the ice and the BCHL scoring leader snapped home his BCHL leading 9th shorthanded goal of the season on a breakaway for a 2-1 Express lead all the while adding to his Express record in that category.

Colton Kehler even things up at two in six minutes into the second period with a wrist shot that beat Krogfoss on the short side.

It was at this point the Express began to take over the game. Colton Kerfoot gave the Express the lead for good less than three minutes later as he snapped home a pass from in front of the net by Joey Santucci. The goal was the third different line for the Express to score.

With the Express in the lead for the third time in the game, the line of Mackin, Supinski and Lamont took care of things for the rest of the night.

Brendan Lamont scored his third goal in his last two games right off an offensive zone face-off for a 4-2 Express lead entering the third period.

In the third period former Langley Rivermen Brendan Gulka dropped the mitts with Jordan Schneider and the two had a very good scrap with each combatant landing some very solid shots.

I might be making a mountain of a molehill (but I'm in the media it's what I do) the reaction of the Express bench following the fight stood out to me to see all the Express bench standing and banging their sticks on the boards for an extended period of time.

The BCHL may have the one fight rule now and players really have to pick their spots knowing the consequences of fighting and because of that rule you have wonder how much of a boost fights can still have on a team's in game morale, but this fight certainly had a uplifting effect on the Express bench and it carried them the right of the night.

The opposite effect even though the fight was pretty even saw the Rivermen begin to loose their composure.

A few minutes later Hunter Anderson was assessed a slashing penalty which was followed by an ejection for Rivermen Head Coach Bobby Henderson 20 seconds later after he continued to voice his displeasure.

On the ensuing 5 on 3 Corey Mackin scored his second of the night and 48th of the season banging home a loose puck at the side of the Rivermen net.

Just over two minutes after that Brett Supinski picked up the puck in the neutral zone and raced into the Langley zone snapping home a shot in off the post for his 90th point of the season and a 6-2 Express lead.

It was another moment to put the seasons that Mackin and Supinski are having and put it in context where they stand in Express franchise history. It was just the second time that two Express teammates had totaled 90 points in a season. The last time was Kyle Turris and Tyler McNeely who each had over 100 points in 06-07.

Brett Supinski finished off the scoring blasting home a set up on the slot on another 5 on 3 for the Express and a 7-2 lead. The line of Mackin, Supinski and Lamont combined for 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points.

Corey Mackin now sits with 48 goals on the season and 98 points. Supinski has 44 goals and 91 points. The nearest non Express player in the scoring race is Dane Gibson of Victoria with 79 points and just two more weekends of action remaining. I'm officially declaring the BCHL scoring race over and Corey Mackin and Brett Supinski are the first teammates to finish 1-2 in BCHL scoring since Vic Sharma (101) Brent Dodginghorse (94) of theVernon Vipers in 96-97. Brendan Lamont is 13th in BCHL scoring with 23 goals and 58 points through 54 games. (Are you reading this Mike?)

It easy to overlook a few things in this game with the final score being what it is. But Brayden Krogfoss quietly had a very solid outing turning aside 32 of 34 shots for his 5th win of the season. And the penalty killing had a perfect 5 for 5 night. It was the first time this season that the Express had prevented Langley from scoring a power play goal.

The win was also the 6th straight for the Express on home ice. They will look to extend the streak to 7 when they host Surrey Wednesday night. Then Cowichan Valley is in Coquitlam on Friday night.

EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the Express road wins over Langley Friday and Surrey Monday.

LANGLEY



SURREY



Highlights courtesy of Jorge Parra and Underdog Productions.

BALANCED OFFENSE LEADS EXPRESS TO VICTORY

The Express got goals from three separate lines and defenceman Taylor Green as the offense is spread around in a 5-3 win over the Langley Rivermen. Click here for box score


The win was the 4^th in the last 5 meetings for the Express vs. Langley.


When Joey Santucci and Colton Kerfoot returned to the lineup in late January and early February it gave the Express something that had been missing for most of the season and that was secondary scoring. That certainly wasn't a problem Friday night.


The line of Santucci, Kerfoot and Jackson Cressey got the Express off on the right foot with Kerfoot opening the scoring just 2:29 into the first period.


Since returning from injury Colton Kerfoot has chipped in with 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points in 6 games. And he has 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in his last three games.


Leading scorer Gage Torrell was on his game for Langley on this night. He equalized for the Rivermen just over 3 minutes after Kerfoot's goal wiring a powerplay goal past Chris Tai.


Taylor Green gave the Express lead their second lead of the night as he blasted home Colton Kerfoot's pass with his third goal in his last four games.


Torrell had a hand in helping Langley even the score before the first period ended. Chris Tai came out to challenge Torrell's shot but Matthew Graham was able to shovel home the loose puck which was lying under the Express netminder.


13 minutes into the second period Gage Torrell picked up his third point by scoring Langley's second powerplay goal of the night and 25^th goal of the season as his shot from the slot dribbled past Tai to give Langley their lone lead of the night.


Langley finished 2 for 5 on the powerplay. It was the 5^th time in 7 games this season Langley has scored multiple powerplay goals vs. the Express this season. And they've scored a powerplay goal in all 7 meetings with the Express this season.


Brendan Lamont got the Express back on even terms just before the second period ended as he just threw the puck at the net and it bounced off Jordan Schneider and past Rivermen netminder Darren Martin to even things at 3.


Lamont then scored his second of the night taking a cheeky backpass from behind the net from BCHL scoring leader Corey Mackin to give the Express the lead for good with his 22^nd of the season. The assist for Mackin would be his lone point on the night which gives him 94 on the season. He surpassed Calgary Flames forward David Jones for 4^th most points in a season by an Express player. Jones set the mark during the 03-04 season.


Owen Stout then sealed the game for the Express as he showed good poise to settle down a bouncing puck and not try and force something when on a two on one with Michael Merulla. Stout just snapped the puck home for his 5^th of the season. The goal was the 3^rd different line, and 4^th source to chip in offensively for the Express when you include the first period goal from Taylor Green.


Chris Tai finished with 34 saves to puck up his 18^th win of the season.



The teams will complete their home and home Saturday night in Coquitlam.  

CHIEFS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the Express 3-2 overtime win over Chilliwack Wednesday.



Highlights courtesy of Jorge Parra and Underdog Productions.

SUPINSKI'S THIRD OT WINNER EXTENDS EXPRESS STREAK TO FOUR

Brett Supinski's third overtime winner of the season gave the Express a 3-2 overtime win over the Mainland division leading Chilliwack Chiefs. Supinski and Mackin set one another up in the third period and overtime for the come from behind victory. The game started quickly, the pace of play in the first period was fast and as even as you could get. There weren't many shots just 7-5 in favour of Chilliwack, but that doesn't give a true indication of how well the two teams played the first period. Things began to pick up in the second period. Corey Mackin had a great chance to open the scoring as he got free on a shorthanded breakaway from his own blueline but was shut down by David Jacobson as Mackin tried to snap his 9th shorthanded goal of the season five hole. Moments later Chilliwack opened the scoring as the puck was flipped in on Chris Tai from centre ice, he thought he had the puck but it was sitting beside him and Kurt Black was able to poke home the loose puck for a powerplay goal to open the scoring. This game marked the return of captain Joey Santucci to the lineup after missing 18 of the last 22 games. He was quickly re-united with his regular linemates from earlier this season Colton Kerfoot and Jackson Cressey. And they quickly resumed the chemistry they had before Kerfoot and Santucci missed most of the last two months with injuries. Kerfoot flipped the puck up to Santucci who was in behind the Chilliwack defense and the Express captain snapped home his 11th of the season to even the score at one. Jackson Cressey drew the second assist on the goal. There weren't many mistakes made by either team in this game. But the ones the Express made in the second period ended up in their net. They had trouble moving the puck quickly out from behind their own net under Chilliwack pressure and a quick turnover resulted in Jordan Kawaguchi scoring in the final minute of the second period to give the Chiefs the lead going to the third period. Through two periods the Express had only mustered 11 shots on goal and needed to start getting more pucks on the Chilliwack net. That's exactly what happend and nearly five minutes into the third the Express equalized. And it was the familiar duo of Mackin and Supinski who took over the game. Supinski set up Mackin off the rush at the side of the Chilliwack net and the BCHL scoring leader snapped home his 44th goal of the season. The Express surpassed their total for the first two periods of 11 shots with 13 in the third period but overtime was required for a second time between the two teams this season. Mackin and Supinski ended the suspense just 38 seconds into overtime as Corey Mackin put the puck in front of Supinski who tipped home his 3rd overtime winner this season just before the was tackled in front of the net to give the Express the 3-2 win. The win extended the Express' winning streak to four games overall and five straight on home ice. They also picked up their 2nd win in 7 tries vs. Chilliwack this season. Up next the Express head north for their final two games of the regular season up in Prince George Friday and Saturday.

JANUARY EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

The best of January for the Express.



Highlights courtesy of Jorge Parra and Underdog Productions.

EAGLES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the Express 5-2 win over Surrey last Friday.



Highlights courtesy of Jorge Parra and Underdog Productions.