RIVERMEN DOUBLE UP ON EXPRESS

The Langley Rivermen picked up their second victory over the Express in just over a week with a 6-3 decision at the Langley Events Centre.

The visitors played shorthanded without the services of captain Jackson Cressey, Eric Udahl, defensemen Nic Coltura, Troy Robillard and goaltender Tyger Howat. 

As a result Langley got off to a quick jump on the Express. 

Justin Fregona got a big night started by finishing off a two on one with Matthew Graham opening the scoring just 1:19 into the game. 

Langley was flying in the first period. They opened up an early 10-1 advantage in shots. Matt Saharchuk blasted home a pass out from behind the net from Fregona for a 2-0 Rivermen lead at 5:30.

Jack Surowiec took the spot vacated by Jackson Cressey's absence centering the top line with Colton Kerfoot and Austin McIlmurray. Surowiec set up Kerfoot midway through the first period to cut the Langley lead in half. 

But the lead was right back to two for Langley 55 seconds later when Adam Sinclair beat a cheating Lawson Fenton with a sharp angle shot up over his left shoulder. 

Langley's speed really gave the Express problems in the first period. 

Matthew Graham busted out of his own zone at full speed ahead to lead the attack into the Express zone. He dished it to Fregona who threw the puck at the net creating a scramble that was finished off by Matt Saharchuk poking home a loose puck in the crease. 

The second period saw the Express find their lunch buckets. 

It started with Keegan Jones, Alex Ambrosio, Jonathan Irving and Matt Michie setting the tone. They put their work boots on the try and cut into the Langley lead. A pass out from behind the net by Michie was converted by Irving for his second of the season just 54 seconds into the second period.

Barry Wolff recognizing the impact the youngsters were having on the game and made sure to keep keep rewarding them with ice time. 

Owen Stout pulled the Express within one when Luca Leone got the puck to the net and on the second effort at the side of the Rivermen net Stout was able to jam it home to cut the deficit to one.

The Express had their chances to complete the comeback in the second period getting three power plays in the middle frame but the Express weren't able to convert on any of them. They finished 0 for 6 on the power play Friday. 

Langley got some bad news late in the second period when Bo Didur left the game with an injury favoring his leg. The knocked out the goaltender entered the game with the best save percentage and second best goals against average in the BCHL. 

Nick Trenciansky came off the bench to finish the game. Last week the Express were able to chase him just 8 minutes into the game after 2 goals on 5 shots. But it would be a different story Friday. He would shut the door making 11 saves in relief. 

Langley put the game away early in the third period just two minutes in when Logan Mick got a lucky break by firing the puck at the net from the corner and it bounced off Fenton's leg and in for a 5-3 Rivermen lead.

Justin Fregona capped off a four point night to put the finishing touches on the game by busting his tail from his own zone up the ice then taking a Mick saucer pass and finishing off a breakaway for his second of the game. 

The win improved Langley to 2-0 vs. the Express this season. Langley also opened up a 3 point lead on the Express for third place in the Mainland division. 

Up next the Express hit the road next weekend for a pair of games in Wenatchee.

CAPTAIN CRESSEY COMMITTS TO PRINCETON

Jackson Cressy in action vs. Langley this season - Photo courtesy of Damon James

The Coquitlam Express are proud to announce Captain Jackson Cressey (96) has committed to play for Ivy League school the Princeton Tigers for the 2016-17 season. The Division One program located in Princeton New Jersey, plays in the ECAC Hockey Division. 

Cressey, a West Vancouver native is in his third BCHL season. He was named Express captain prior to the 2015-16 season. As of Monday, Cressey led the Express in scoring with 11 goals and 25 points in 17 games. Those numbers currently rank him 5th in BCHL scoring. He's been very consistent this season picking up points in 15 of 17 games. He also has 7 multiple point games this season. 

Cressey's 11 goals this season match his career high set last season in 52 games. He began his Express career as an AP during the 2012-13 season scoring 3 goals in 10 games. In 135 career games all with the Express he has 31 goals and 48 assists for 79 points. 

Cressey (centre) celebrates 2014 Fred Page Cup championship

During his first full season with the Express in 2013-14 Cressey won the Fred Page Cup BCHL championship and played in the Western Canada Cup in Dauphin Manitoba.

"The Tigers just got better with Jackson’s commitment, his leadership, character and work ethic will be welcomed to any program and will be a great addition to the Princeton team and school. 

We are very proud of Jackson, and that he is a member of the Express! We thank him for all he has done for the Express program." - Express Head Coach & GM Barry Wolff

"I am very excited to continue my education and hockey career at such an amazing school and terrific program. I would like to thank my past and current team mates, and my family for all their help and support for allowing me to pursue my education and hockey goals.

Thank you to my past hockey coaches and the Express coaches who made this all possible and for an amazing 3 years" - Jackson Cressey

Congratulations and well deserved Jackson. 

EXPRESS LET FAST START SLIP AWAY

Max Kaufman battles Jake Brien - Photo courtesy of Damon James

In the first meeting of the season, the Express allowed a quick start slip through their hands as quickly as they got it and fell 6-2 to the Langley Rivermen Wednesday night in Coquitlam. Click here for boxscore

Alex Ambrosio celebrates his 1st BCHL goal - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Alex Ambrosio scored his first BCHL goal to open the scoring for the Express. That was quickly followed 28 seconds later by a goal by Austin McIlmurray after Colton Kerfoot and Jackson Cressey couldn't convert a 2 on 1 and the Express were on their way with a 2-0 lead.

Rivermen Head Coach Bobby Henderson quickly got the hook out on Nick Trenciansky after 2 goals on 5 shots. He was replaced by Bo Didur.

That sequence woke the Rivermen up. 18 seconds after the McIlmurray goal Justin Szeto potted home a loose puck in the crease. That goal was followed 43 seconds later by a goal by Jason O'Niell to even the game.

The Rivermen wave didn't stop there. Justin Fregona scored Langley's 3rd goal in less than 3 minutes when he came out from behind the net and beat Lawson Fenton with a backhand.

This game had a number of key moments that turned the game in favour of the Rivermen. The first one was the goal by Szeto shortly following the 2-0 Express goal.

Max Kaufman (23) had 4 points in the win - Photo courtesy of Damon James

The next one came in the final seconds of the 1st period as the Express took their foot off the gas knowing the 1st period was winding down. But Max Kaufman made the most of his limited time and whipped a shot from the right wing past Fenton just before the buzzer for a 4-2 Langley lead after 20 minutes.

The Express entered the second period looking for a chance in momentum. But it was denied when Cameron Ginnetti blasted home a slap shot just 1:37 into the middle frame.

Looking for a spark Head Coach Barry Wolff did do some line juggling in the 2nd period.

Late in the period came the last key moment in the game for the Express. They had a 5 on 3 for 1:36. They needed to strike once if not twice for a real shot at a comeback. That big goal that was needed never came. The best chance coming off a one timer by McIlMurray from the left circle but Bo Didur came to his right and made a shoulder save.

Bo Didur made 24 saves in relief - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Fregona rounded out the scoring adding his 2nd of the game on a third period power play. That goal capped off 6 unanswered Rivermen goals. 10 players for the Rivermen hit the scoresheet. Max Kaufman lead the way with 4 points 1 goal and 3 assists.

Bo Didur had 52 minutes of shutout hockey coming off the bench making 24 saves.

Lawson Fenton allowed 6 goals on 30 shots. It was a tough night for the Express netminder. He's done an admirable job filling in for the injured Tyger Howat. But Wednesday's game was one where they felt the absence of their number one goaltender.

Up next the Express hit the road for a pair of games Friday and Saturday in Prince George. The Express don't have to wait long to see the Rivermen again next Friday in Langley.

Forward Matt Michie - Photo courtesy of Damon James

SUROWIEC COMMITS TO HOLY CROSS

Jack Surowiec (25) celebrates his 1st BCHL goal.

Coquitlam Express forward Jack Surowiec (96) has committed to Holy Cross for the fall of 2016.

Extremely honored and excited to announce my commitment to @HCrossMHockey for 2016! #RiseTogether #BleedPurple

— Jack Surowiec (@Baby_Horse22) October 20, 2015

The Louisville Kentucky native is in his first season in the BCHL. He has 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points in 14 games. In recent games he's been starting to find his offensive touch at the BCHL level with points in consecutive home games.

"The Crusaders just got better with Jack’s commitment, his character and work ethic will be welcomed to any program and will be a great addition to the Holy Cross team and school.
We are very proud of Jack and that he is a member of the Express!" - Coquitlam Express Head Coach and General Manager Barry Wolff.



"I am very excited to go to Holy Cross and contribute both on and off the ice,
I would like to thank my past and current team mates, coach’s and my family for all their help and support for allowing me to pursue my dreams." - Jack Surowiec.

Surowiec came to the Express from the Culver Military Academy in Culver Indiana where he played the previous two seasons. Last season he was the captain of the team where he was also teammates with current Express forward Jonathan Irving.

Jack will have some company when he heads to Holy Cross joining teammate Charlie Barrow who came to the Express already with a commitment to Holy Cross for 2016.

Congratulations Jack.

EXPRESS PULL AWAY FROM EAGLES IN THE THIRD

Luca Leone scored a second period goal - Photo courtesy of Damon James

The Express battled back from a pair of second period deficits, then pulled away in the third period to knock off the Surrey Eagles 4-3 Friday night in Coquitlam. Click here for boxscore

Austin McIlmurray, Jarell Pinchuk and Colton Kerfoot all had 1 goal and 1 assist to pace the offensive attack. Lawson Fenton had another solid game between the pipes making 35 saves.

Lawson Fenton made 35 saves - Photo courtesy of Damon James

It was a scoreless first period between the two teams. Surrey's best chance in the first period came on the power play when John Wesley tried to find a pinching Darius Davidson, the Eagles forward thought he had a tap in, but Charlie Barrow and Fenton teamed up to help make sure Davidson wasn't able to snap the puck in the open net.

Defenceman Taylor Green was denied by Daniel Davidson as he came to his right after Green was set up by Colton Kerfoot on a two on one.

The Eagles outshot the Express 15-6 in the first period. Thanks in part to having nearly 6 minutes of power play time in the opening period.

Darren Hards broke the offensive deadlock early in the second period as Eagles forward Donovan Ott muscled the puck in front of Express net and it slid through the crease and Hards roofed it over Fenton.

Dante Hahn - Photo courtesy of Damon James

That goal started a sequence that saw the teams trade four goals in a span of 6:25.

Jarrel Pinchuk scored his first Express and BCHL goal when he buried the rebound of a Jack Surowiec shot from the left wing that was punted into the slot.

The lead only lasted 45 seconds as Nathan Deyell from the left point found himself with time and space and he unloaded a snapshot that beat a screened Fenton for Deyell's 1st BCHL goal.

The Express response came just over three minutes later on the power play. Luca Leone took the rebound of a Owen Stout shot off the end boards and fired a backhand past Davidson as he came across the crease. The goal for Leone was his first in an Express uniform since November 9th, 2012 vs. Chilliwack.

Period three saw the Express top line take over the game. Austin McIlmurray fired a great pass rink wide to Colton Kerfoot who snapped a shot past the glove of Davidson on the short side.

Eric Udahl 1st period chance - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Five minutes later Jackson Cressey set up McIlmurray on a two on one and he finished with a shot top shelf for a 4-2 Express lead.

At that point the Express went into shut down mode and had the game in control. They were making smart decisions with the puck as the clock wound down.

Then the Eagles got a lucky break with just under three minutes to go.

Kyle Star as he was going off on a change flipped the puck in from centre ice, Noah Turanski playing on defense contacted the dump in with a high stick, Lawson Fenton was leaving his crease to play the puck and the puck slid into a half empty cage with Fenton unable to get back in time.

Jake Brien battles John Wesley - Photo courtesy of Damon James

That goal was a tough break for the Express. But not so tough to turn the game in the Eagles favour. The Express held on the rest of the way.

After the three Eagles power plays in the first period, each team had one chance on the power play in the final 40 minutes. The Express were 1 for 1 on the power play and shut down all four Eagles power plays.

Up next the Express play host to the Langley Rivermen on Wednesday. 

KINGS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the Express 4-3 overtime loss to Powell River Friday.



Highlights courtesy of Jorge Parra and Underdog Productions.

KINGS FIND THE OVERTIME MAGIC OVER THE EXPRESS

Taylor Green battles in front of the net -  Photo courtesy of Damon James

Jeremy Leipsic scored his second of the game in double overtime to give the Powell River Kings a 4-3 win over the Express. Click here for boxscore

It was the third straight game and fourth time in the last five outings for the Express to go past the 60 minutes. The loss was the first in overtime for the Express who saw their OT record fall to 3-1-1 this season.

The Express played without forward Austin McIlmurray who served a one game suspension for abuse of official Tuesday in West Kelowna. Lawson Fenton started in place of Tyger Howat who watched from the stands after suffering an injury Tuesday night.

Powell River opened the scoring 9 minutes into the game when Nick Halagian lobbed the puck in the air and it came down to Austin Kamer who deked past Fenton to open the scoring.

Jack Surowiec celebrates his 1st BCHL goal - Photo courtesy of Damon James

The Express battled back which would become a theme on the night. Jack Surowiec who took the place on the top line with Jackson Cressey and Colton Kerfoot found a loose puck after a Taylor Green shot and slid home his first BCHL goal on a backhand.

Leipsic struck for his first of the night in the second period when he finished off a give and go with Jake Kohlhauser for the second Kings lead of the night.

Dante Hahn & Luca Leone - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Captain Jackson Cressey evened things up for the Express going to the net and poking home a loose puck for a power play goal assisted by Colton Kerfoot and Charlie Barrow. The Express have a power play goal in 6 straight games.

Powell River took their third lead of the night when Rylan Ball roofed a shot over the left shoulder of Fenton who thought he took away the left side of the net. But Ball does deserves credit for a pretty slick shot upstairs.

Late in the second period the Kings had a chance to extend their lead when Dante Hahn and Jackson Cressey were called for penalties in quick succession leading to a 5 on 3 for 1:43. Powell River owned the puck in the Express end. But the penalty killers and most notably Lawson Fenton who rose to the occasion to keep the Express down only a goal. The Express finished off killing off all four Kings power plays.

Charlie Barrow scored for 3rd time in last 2 games - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Moments after the penalties expired early in the third period Charlie Barrow evened things up for the Express in the third period for a second straight game when his wrist shot over the glove of Jeff Smith found the back of the net.

Nothing was decided after 60 minutes. The best chance for the Express to win it in overtime was Colton Kerfoot setting up Jackson Cressey alone in front but Jeff Smith shut the door. He finished with 37 saves to earn his 5th straight win.

Lawson Fenton stops Tristan Mullin - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Lawson Fenton has done a very admirable job coming in and taking the Express crease since Tyger Howat went down on Tuesday. Friday night he was rock solid between the pipes. He kept the game alive with a great save on Tristan Mullin in four on four overtime. He finished with 42 saves.

The Kings finally prevailed in three on three when they were very patient controlling the puck in the Express zone. They were finally able to break down the Express defense and create room for Leipsic who snapped a shot home from the slot to extend the Kings winning streak to seven games.

Now the Express head south of the border for the first time in franchise history to play the Wenatchee Wild in their home opener Saturday before heading to Trail on Sunday.

BARROW PACES OT COMEBACK WIN VS. WARRIORS

Charlie Barrow scored his second overtime winner of the season for his second goal of the game in a 3-2 Express win over the West Kelowna Warriors Tuesday night. Click here for boxscore



The Belmont Massachusetts native also scored the game tying goal in the third period.

It was a game that had a number of twists and turns. Most notably in the second period.

Things started well for the Express as Colton Kerfoot opened the scoring on a first period power play.  Kerfoot closed in from the right circle and picked the top corner on Stephen Heslop as Taylor Green used his 6'7 frame to create a very effective screen.

Former Express Garrett Forster pulled the Warriors even early in the second period as he wired a shot in off the goal post past Tyger Howat.

That would be the start of a very dominant second period for the Warriors.

Howat then came up with a spectacular save on a Warriors power play stretching out to rob Paul Lovsin.

West Kelowna took their lone lead of the night when Liam Blackburn found Quin Foreman in front of the Express net and he deked around a fully stretched out Howat and slid the puck home.

Moments later Howat was down on one knee and in discomfort on the ice. He would end up leaving the game favoring his left leg and didn't return. Perhaps the save on Lovsin or the goal by Foreman or a combination of the two led to the injury.

That put Lawson Fenton in a tough spot to face the barrage of the Warriors attack. And face a barrage Fenton did. West Kelowna seemingly had the puck in the Express end for almost the entire second period. But Fenton was there to shut the door for the Express. West Kelowna outshot the Express 19-5 in the 2nd period.

Late in the middle frame Jack Serowiec delivered a big hit in the corner on defenseman Jake Harrison. He would leave the game and not return.

Seroweic was given a two minute check to the head penalty plus the automatic 10 minute misconduct. He also had to answer the bell and dropped the mitts with Rylan Yaremko and was given the automatic ejection. Also in that sequence Austin McIlmurray was given a game misconduct.

Coming out of the second period the Express were down three players from their roster for a variety of reasons.

The Express would tilt the ice back in their favour in the third period.

Alex Ambrosio moved up the the first line with Jackson Cressey and Colton Kerfoot for the third period following McIlmurray's ejection. He would help the Express create some chances for the in the third period.

Midway through the frame Ambrosio's centering pass went through the goal crease then bounced back to Charlie Barrow who blasted home his first of the night off the post to tie the game at two.

Fenton would shut the door on all 8 shots in the third period to get the game to overtime. He finished making 17 saves on all 17 shots sent his way after relieving Howat midway through the second period.

It didn't take long for the overtime to come to an end. Kerfoot would dig the puck out of a prolonged scrum for the puck in the corner, turn and find a perfectly timed pinch from Barrow who snapped home a pass upstairs for his second overtime winner in less than a week to give the Express a 3-2 win.

The win improved the Express to 3-0-1 in overtime this season. They've played beyond 60 minutes in three of their last four games.

Up next the Express are back home Friday night vs. the Powell River Kings before heading back on the road to the first visit to Wenatchee and Trail.

CAPITALS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of the Express home opener Saturday vs. Cowichan Valley.

Highlights courtesy of Jorge Parra and Underdog Productions.

FANS GET THEIR MONEY WORTH IN TIE BETWEEN EXPRESS AND CAPS

Blake Hayward in player introductions - Photo courtesy of Garrett James

Personally I don't find tie games all that entertaining. But the home opener for the Express vs. the Cowichan Valley Capitals left the fans in attendance feeling like they got their money worth in the 3-3 final. Click here for boxscore

Forward Matt Michie - Photo courtesy of Garrett James

The game had chances, entertaining goals, big saves and left fans thinking about what if when they left the rink.

Things didn't start well for the Express as the puck came right into the slot to a wide open Patrick Geary who opened the scoring just 54 seconds into the game.

Both teams easily could have used fatigue as an excuse but that wasn't the case. The Express were playing their third game in three nights after the previous two nights on the Island. The Caps travelled to Coquitlam after playing up in Prince George the night before.

Austin McILmurray celebrates his first goal - Photo courtesy of Garrett James

Austin McIlmurray pulled the Express even taking a pass from Taylor Green and sliding the puck through Storm Phaneuf.

The Coral Springs Florida native added his second of the night midway through the second period as he found a loose puck and hammered it just inside the post for his second of the game giving the Express a 2-1 lead.

29 seconds later on the power play the Express extended their lead as the puck was worked across to Nic Coltura and his shot found the back of the net for a 3-1 Express lead.

Storm Phaneuf watches an Express goal - Photo courtesy of Garrett James

Cowichan quickly pulled back within one as Geary scoring his second of the game just 23 seconds after the 3-1 goal. All told the teams traded three goals in a 52 second span.

In the third period Cowichan Valley pulled even when Matthew Hudie scored on a one timer seconds after an Express penalty expired and the game was tied at three.

The Express have their penalty killing to thank for earning a point in this game. They killed off all 7 Caps power plays. The biggest kill coming in the final three minutes of the third period after Nic Coltura was called for boarding.

In the first overtime the Express had the game put on a platter with Adam Osczevski hauling down Charlie Barrow resulting in an Express power play.

Colton Kerfoot - Photo courtesy of Garrett James

The best chance on the man advantage came on a one timer from McIlmurray blasting a one timer wide. He had a number of quality chances on the night to complete his first BCHL hat-trick. For the most part the Express were pretty methodical working the puck around on the 4 on 3 power play.

In 3 on 3 it was Tyger Howat's time to shine. He made sparking saves on Darien Craighead on a breakaway, a bang bang play for Oszevski in front. And a scramble play that the Caps couldn't poke the puck home lying in the crease. Howat finished with 27 saves and was named the games third star.

Colton Kerfoot is going to have nightmares after the puck came to him in the dying seconds of the game and he ripped a shot high and wide.

Up next for the Express is a visit to West Kelowna Tuesday night.