EXPRESS CLINCH BCHL'S TOP RECORD IN PENTICTON

Graphic by Jacob Lazare

For the first time in Express history they will finish with the top record in the BCHL after a 3-2 win over the Penticton Vees at the South Okanagan Events Centre. https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9633

The Express did it by securing the win while Penticton was making a hard charge to try and catch the Express. The Vees had won 10 in a row and 14 of their last 15 coming into the game.

The first meeting of the season between the teams saw some fireworks that were sparked in part by the 7-2 decision in favour of the Express. Friday's game was more reserved with much more at stake.

The first period was dead even between the two teams. The shots finished 13 apiece. And the teams traded goals. Adam Trotman at the edge of the goal crease converted a Josh Wildauer pass for a powerplay goal to open the scoring for the Express. That was followed 1:41 later by Lukas Sillinger tying the game for Penticton finishing off a give and go with David Silye and snapping his 20th of the season past the glove of Clay Stevenson.

Pentiction began to pepper the Express net in the second period. But the backbone of the Express Clay Stevenson was there to calm the waters. He was beaten once in the second period on a one timer by Jay O'Brien to give the Vees their lone lead of the night.

From then on Stevenson shut the door with 22 saves in the middle frame. His best sequence coming with 4 saves in about a 30 second span.

The powerplay pulled the Express on even terms with Cooper Connell at the side of the net burying his 17th of the season past Yaniv Perets.

Entering the third tied at two, the Express on the road simplified and locked the game down. Hoping to find the goal they need for the regulation win necessary for finishing first overall.

That goal came three minutes into the period thanks to a great pass by Noah De La Durantaye to spring Greg Lapointe on a breakaway and he slid home a backhand past Perets for his team leading 28th of the season and a 3-2 Express lead. Lapointe finished with 1 goal and 2 assists.

Then the Express locked the game down and slowed the pace down to slowly allow the clock to begin to tick down.

They did push for some insurance. Most notably Cooper Connell was down right robbed on a two on one by a marvellous glove save by Yanniv Perets. Then Lapointe was stoned by Perets on a another breakaway.

At the other end Clay Stevenson was less busy. But his best save of the final frame came on a re-direction off the rush by Stephen Holtz and Stevenson got his pad down on that one.

The final minute came with the Vees making one final push, but the hard work the Express had put in all season to get to this point rose to the occasion as the Express held on for the win to clinch the Ron Boileau trophy for the first time in the 19 season history of the Express.

Friday's game was Clay Stevenson's last game in an Express uniform. And he went out in style by getting the win to clinch the best record in the league. He also surpassed Kevin Jebson by becoming the first goalie in Express history to win 30 games in a season.

Stevenson's season will truly go down not only as the best in Express history by a goaltender. He had an all time best season for a BCHL netminder. His 1.77 GAA and .936 save percentage are the second lowest marks in league history.

Graphic by Jacob Lazare

He did not suffer a loss in regulation time after October 18th in Langley. And he was undefeated on home ice.

The Express will travel to Trail Saturday night to face Kent Johnson and the Smoke Eaters. 

EXPRESS WIN 40TH GAME AS CLAY STEVENSON SETS EXPRESS FRANCHISE SHUTOUT RECORD

Graphic by Jacob Lazare.

Clay Stevenson made 29 saves for his 4th shutout of the season and his 6th in his regular season career as the Express blanked Langley 5-0. Click here for boxscore

For Stevenson, his 6th career regular season shutout passes Cole Huggins for the most all time in Express history. His 4th shutout this season ties Matthew Gordon for most in a single season. It was also his 29th win of the season which tied Kevin Jebson for most wins in a season by a goaltender in Express history.

Langley came out hitting trying to set an early tone. Most notably Massimo Rizzo was on the receiving end of a double team hit in the neutral zone. But it would be long until Langley wasn't able to keep up with the Carolina Hurricanes pick.

Joey Berkopec opened the scoring for the Express just past the 5 minute mark snapping a shot over the glove of Braedon Fleming. For Berkopec it was his first goal in an Express uniform since being acquired from Merritt.

Massimo Rizzo had been very dangerous in the last few games for the Express. But he wasn't getting the pay off by finding the back of the net with the hard work he was putting in to generate chances.

Tonight he broke through. Just past the 11 minute mark he converted a Greg Lapointe pass tipping home his first of the night. The goal chased Fleming after just two goals on four shots.

Greg Lapointe and Danny Pearson both returned to the lineup after missing time with injuries. Lapointe's impact was immediate as he had a number of good chances in the first period.

Jonathan Mor came in the Langley net following the 2-0 goal. Late in the period he had no chance handing a wicked Rizzo wrist shot for a 3-0 Express lead after one.

Danny Pearson had his share of chances during the night in his return to the lineup. He picked up an assist in his return with a shot that wound up in the feet of Mor and was tucked home in the goal crease by Brad Ong. It was the third goal in the last two games for Ong.

Stevenson only had to make 6 saves in the second period. But he got some help in the period to keep Langley off the board when a loose puck in the crease that Stevenson couldn't find right away was cleared just as Stevenson found the puck and was in the process of covering it.

In the third, not only did Stevenson had to fight off Langley shooters. He had to endure a few collisions in the crease. The second one he had Sean Bunting hit on top of the Express goaltender as Noah De La Durantaye hustled back to get into the play and levelled the Langley forward.

The contact didn't deter the Express goaltender in his pursuit of his 4th shutout of the season.

Rizzo meanwhile had his share of chances in the second period to get his 3rd of the night. Then when he was not trying to finish off the hat-trick he was able to cap it off. On a two on one with Nick Carabin, Rizzo's pass for the Express defenceman ended up going in off a Langley defenceman for Rizzo's second hat-trick of the season.

Friday's game was loaded with penalties. The Express were 0 for 9 on the powerplay. But they were a perfect 8 for 8 on the penalty kill. Friday's effort will move the Express back into the top spot in the overall BCHL penalty killing rankings.

Saturday will see the Express hit the road for their lone visit of the season to Wenatchee. 

EXPRESS CLINCH 1ST REGULAR SEASON DIVISION TITLE WITH WIN OVER CHIEFS

Graphic by Jacob Lazare.

For the first time in 19 seasons the Express can call themselves regular season Mainland division champions. It was clinched with a gritty 4-3 win over their long time rival Chilliwack Chiefs. Click here for boxscore

Massimo Rizzo - Photo courtesy of Damon James.

The win snapped the Express season high three game losing streak. And it was one of their more impressive wins of the 39 they have picked up this season.

The injury situation didn't change as there were still 6 regulars out of the lineup. But the ones that were in the line up made sure the effort level was high. And a number of guys even elevated their level to give their team a much needed boost.

Right from the get go the Express were ready to bring their best. They were playing hard and fast.

Just past the four minute mark Josh Wildauer snapped a shot past the glove of Mathieu Caron to open the scoring with his third goal in his last two games.

For the most part there weren't many mistakes in the Express game. One gaffe however ended up in their net. Clay Stevenson came out of his net to play the puck. He ended up putting a perfect pass on the tape of Brett Rylance who buried it into the empty net to tie the game at one.

The error didn't dissuade the Express on this night who showed plenty of poise and quickly shook it off.

Connor Gregga  - Photo courtesy of Damon James.

With four AP's in the lineup tonight they stepped up to help fill the void and leave their mark on the game for the Express.

Christian Lowe took a pass out of the corner from Tyler Schleppe and snapped home his first BCHL goal for a 2-1 Express lead after one period.

The visitors picked up their game to open the second period. Tommy Lyons beat Clay Stevenson on a backhand just past the five minute mark for a 2-2 tie.


Again the Express found offence from an unlikely source for their third lead of the night. Christian Lowe won a draw just as a powerplay expired and Brad Ong cut into the slot and snapped home his 9th of the season. For Ong it was his first goal in 17 games.

Most games between the Express and Chiefs this season have been tight contests. Why would Friday night be any different?

Nick Carabin  - Photo courtesy of Damon James.

With 30 seconds left in the period Hudson Thornton scored off the rush to even things at 3 through two periods.

Entering the third with a division crown at stake the Express showed the character that got them to this point. They were ready to have their best period of the night. Having so many guys out of the lineup wasn't going to be a factor.

AP defenceman Matthew Campbell did his part to help out early in the third with 4 good plays on one shift.

The deadlock was broken with just over 5 minutes to play with a good read by Nick Carabin to keep the puck in the Chiefs zone then fire it at the night where it was tipped by Ong for his second of the night putting the Express in the lead for good.

They locked the game down in the final five minutes to preserve the win and clinch their first regular season division championship. Clay Stevenson finished with 20 saves for his 28th win of the season.

Discipline was another key element to the Express success giving Chilliwack only two powerplays on the night. And none in the 2nd or 3rd periods.

The Express have the rest of the weekend off and will host Langley next Friday.

EXPRESS VICTORIOUS IN HEAVY WEIGHT TILT VS. VEES

Top spot in the BCHL standings was on the line between the Express and the Penticton Vees. When it was said and done, the Express were victorious on the ice and in the alley coming away with a 7-2 result. Click here for boxscore

The win kept the Express perfect at home 13-0. And it was their 14th straight win on home ice dating back to the game 4 victory last season vs. Prince George in the playoffs. The 14 straight home ice wins matches the 14 in a row which is a team record set back in the 06-07 season.

Clay Stevenson won his 9th straight decision with 25 saves. He had to weather a early Penticton powerplay and made a nice stop on a deflection with his right leg early on to keep the game scoreless.

Christian MacDougall was in the box for the penalty after what appeared to be a good honest hit on the forecheck in the Penticton zone. That hit helped get MacDougall going to who was definitely involved all night.

Greg Lapointe opened the scoring by finding a loose puck in front of the net and burying the rebound of a Drew Cooper point shot. It was the 23rd time in 27 games this season that the Express have scored first.

Then before the second period got started the sparks began to fly. As the teams awaited for the start of the period the teams were lining up at centre ice. Connor Gregga was bumped by Conner Hutchison and the two had a few words. More on that later.

Lapointe struck again early in the second period from the side of the Vees net bouncing in a puck off Penticton goaltender Yaniv Perets. Lapointe leads the Express with 15 goals on the season.

Just shy of the 4 minute mark Penticton defenceman Conner Hutchison was whistled for a double minor for high sticking. And before the first penalty expired the Vees were fishing the puck out of their net after former Penticton captain Massimo Rizzo's shot was stopped but Connor Gregga on the other side buried the rebound for a 3-0 Express lead. Wednesday's game also marked the first meeting between the teams since their marquee off season trade that saw Rizzo come to Coquitlam and Alex DiPaolo head to the South Okanagan.

Midway through the second period Noah De La Durantaye was tabbed for a double minor high sticking penalty. This time around the league's top penalty killing in the Express stood tall to preserve the Express 3 goal lead. That was the highlight of the 18th perfect night on the penalty kill for the Express. The Vees finished 0 for 4 on the powerplay.

David Silye got the visitors on the board before the second period was done jamming in a loose puck at the side of the Express net for a 3-1 score through two periods.

Entering the third period the game featuring the top two teams in the BCHL had lived up to the hype with not much separating either team. This is when the sparks would really start to fly.

Connor Gregga was hit along the boards in the Penticton zone that resulted in a check to the head penalty for Colton Kalezic and a two man advantage for the Express. During the stoppage Hutchison and Gregga came together again and this time Gregga the gritty Markham Ontario, native dropped the gloves after having enough of the chirping and the Express forward ended up on top of the pile when it was said and done.

Then with Gregga in the room he would hear Brad Ong scoring on the two man advantage tipping home a set up from Will Margel for a 4-1 Express lead.

18 seconds later Ethan O'Rourke scored on the 5 on 4 burying the rebound of a Greg Lapointe shot to open a 5-1 Express lead. That goal chased Yanniv Perets after 5 goals on 23 shots.

Off the ensuing face-off at centre ice more fireworks saw Cooper Connell drop the gloves with Danny Weight and the Express forward left Weight down on the ice in the centre ice circle all the while getting the Express bench fired up as Connell was sent off.

Brad Ong capped off three Express goals in a 1:58 span tipping home his second of the night past Carl Stankowski and a 6-1 Express lead.

The chippiness didn't settle down in the final minutes of the third period. Noah De La Durantaye was on the receiving end of a hit by Jack Barnes that saw the Vees forward ejected with a 5 minute major for checking from behind. Thankfully for the Express De La Durantaye stayed in the game.

An Ethan O'Rourke penalty interrupted the 5 minute major powerplay for the Express. Just as O'Rourke's penalty expired Tyler Ho scored off the rush for a shorthanded goal to cut the lead to 6-2.

Christian MacDougall never let up his gritty style after his first period penalty. He got rewarded late in the game sliding home his first BCHL goal with just over a minute to play in the third period to put the Express up 7-2.

The win improves the Express to 22-5 on the season with 44 points and moving one point up on Penticton for top spot in the BCHL overall standings.

The 8 game homestand for the Express continues Friday night for the first of two visits this weekend from the Surrey Eagles.

WARRIORS AT EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the Express 4-0 win over West Kelowna Friday night.



Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.

EXPRESS BLANK WARRIORS

Clay Stevenson made 24 saves for his second shutout of the season and 4th career regular season goose egg as the Express remained perfect at home with a 4-0 win over the West Kelowna Warriors. Click here for boxscore

The Dartmouth committed goaltender made his best save of the night early on to turn away a Ryan Upson breakaway which proved to be a sign of things to come for the Warriors.

At the other end the Express took advantage of sub-par goaltending from Brock Baier to open the scoring on a wrist shot from the right wing by Josh Wildauer that eluded the glove of Baier.

West Kelowna finished the first period outshooting the Express 11-10. But it was the home team that was the quicker squad and in combination with their heavy style it created havoc for the Warriors in their own zone during the opening 20 minutes.

A run of Warriors penalties in the second period paved the way for the Express to expand their lead on a one timer goal from the left circle by Tyler Schleppe for a 2-0 lead on a two man advantage. Schleppe's goal was his 10th of the season which tied him with Greg Lapointe for the lead in that category.

The Express poured on the gas in the third period. Noah De La Durantaye blasted home his 4th goal of the season (all on the powerplay) from the left circle to extend the Express lead to 3-0.

The lines were juggled a little to help spark the finishing touch for a few guys. Danny Pearson was moved along side Connor Gregga and Massimo Rizzo. Pearson played a role by helping get the puck to Connor Gregga who set up Rizzo to open a 4-0 Express lead.

The goal for Rizzo was his first in 8 games. Pearson didn't find the back of the net, but he didn't look out of place on that line as he searches for his first goal since late September.

A lockdown third period for the Express saw them limit the Warriors to just 5 shots in the period allowing Clay Stevenson to cruise to his 4th career regular season shutout. He is now tied with Matthew Gordon for second most shutouts in Express history. Cole Huggins holds the Express shutout record with 5 in his career.

The Express hit the road Sunday afternoon to visit the Chilliwack Chiefs.

EXPRESS GRIND OUT 13TH WIN

Ethan O'Rourke celebrates his first Express goal just a little
Photo courtesy of Damon James.

This one went right down to the wire, but the Express held firm for a 3-1 win over the Langley Rivermen. Click here for boxscore

It was the 6th meeting between the teams in the first 17 games of the season for the Express. Coquitlam improved to 4-2 in the season series.

Coming off a 4-1 loss in Surrey and one of their more lacklustre performances of the season, the Express were looking for a much better outing back on home ice. And right from the get go the Express showed their mettle that has gotten them to this point of the season.

The line of Massimo Rizzo, Greg Lapointe and Connor Gregga started the game. They were coming of Friday's game where that unit struggled to find any rhythm. In this game they were clicking right from the get go with a good shift in the Langley zone to start the game.

Midway through the period Connor Gregga took a pass from Rizzo and beat Braedon Fleming on the short side with a shot that rang in off the post to open the scoring.

That was followed 45 seconds later by Ethan O'Rourke's first Express goal. He showed good hands in front of the net to bury the rebound of a Noah De La Durantaye shot for a 2-0 Express lead with a delayed penalty to Langley in effect.

After falling behind 2-0 Langley ramped up their physicality and the Express responded to it by weathering their hits and pushing their pace up a level to come out of the period with a two goal lead and outshooting Langley 8-4.

Langley found themselves in penalty trouble in the second period. That included a two man advantage for the Express for one minute, but they struggled to establish good possession in the offensive zone to make the most of the opportunity.

Jake Livingstone late in the period buried a rebound for a powerplay goal to cut the Express lead to 2-1.

It was at this point going forward where Express goaltender Clay Stevenson showed his MVP status with three quality saves to help the Express take their lead to the room after 40 minutes. He would finish with 19 saves for his 10th win of the season.

With as often as these division rivals have seen each other in a short period of time it's no surprise that the tempers at times would get short. That was highlighted by an early 3rd period fight between Brad Ong and Brendan Budy. It was a good trade off for the Express with Langley losing their most skilled forward while down a single goal.

His loss was felt as the opening half of the third period went on with Langley getting three straight powerplays. Without their top scorer it helped the Express kill off all those penalties to hold on to their one goal lead. All told Langley went 1 for 5 on the powerplay.

Late in the final minute of the game the Express finally got their insurance by clearing the puck out of their zone and getting down into Langley's end where Josh Wildauer hustled to the loose puck and slid home his 3rd of the season into the empty net with 4 seconds to play.

The win improved the Express to 8-0 on home ice at the Poirier Sports and Leisure centre.

The Express will hit the road for their next two games Tuesday night in Victoria and the next night in Nanaimo. 

EXPRESS AT EAGLES HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the Express 2-1 win in Surrey Friday.



Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory. 

BULLDOGS AT EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the Express 4-2 win over Alberni Valley Sunday.



Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.

WINNING MAKES CENTS TO EXPRESS

The Express kept their strong start rolling Wednesday by defeating the Merritt Centennials by a 6-3 score to improve their record to 5-1 on the season. Click here for boxscore

Four different players paced the attack with multi point nights. Led by Adam Trotman who scored his first two BCHL goals while adding an assist.

The game marked the return to Coquitlam for the first time for Barry Wolff as the Head Coach of the Centennials. He saw his team test Clay Stevenson with the first four shots of the game. Plus a shot off the goal post by Rylan Van Unen in the opening minute.

Ryan Tattle quickly helped turn the tables in the Express favour by taking a pass from Greg Lapointe after he took a hard hit in the neutral zone and Tattle drove hard to the net from the right wing holding off a Centennials defender and stuffing it past Tanner Marshall for Tattle's 1st BCHL goal.

Daniel Tkac pulled Merritt even following up on a Chase Nameth rush who had the puck poked off his stick by Clay Stevenson and Tkac snapped a shot past Stevenson's glove to tie the game at 1.

An unfortunate bounce led to Merritt's lone lead of the night. Off a won face-off by Adam Trotman in the Express zone to the right of Clay Stevenson, the puck bounced and trickled past Clay Stevenson for a 2-1 Merritt lead. Matt Osadick was credited with his first BCHL goal.

The Express entered the second period with nearly a full two minute powerplay with Rylan Van Unen in the box for high sticking. Then in the opening minute of the 2nd period Troy Quinn was whistled for boarding giving the Express a two man advantage for 1:28.

Right from the get go the Express powerplay was dialled in looking for the equalizer.  Steven Bellini and Noah De La Durantaye were unloading shots from the point. Then Bellini changed things up dishing a great pass to Adam Trotman who roofed a shot from a tight angle for his 1st BCHL goal to tie the game at 2.

1:22 later James Bohn made a great play at the Merritt blueline to hold the zone, he then poked the puck to Danny Pearson who turned and scored his 4th of the season with a shot over the glove of Tanner Marshall and a 3-2 Express lead.

Noah De La Durataye potted the third Express goal in a span of 5:20 lurking around the Merritt net where he found a loose puck bounce to him where he buried his second of the season on the powerplay and a 4-2 Express lead. The powerplay finished 2 for 6 on the night.

Each team had lengthy two man advantages in the second period. The Express made theirs count early in the period. Then when they had to defend a Merritt two man advantage the Express penalty killers rose to the occasion. Merritt's advantage was for 1:28 and they peppered Clay Stevenson with a number of shots. But each time they were denied by a number of quality pad saves by Stevenson to preserve the Express lead. That was the highlight on a perfect 6 for 6 night for the Express penalty killers.

Midway through the 3rd Greg Lapointe took a high stick on a rush into the Merritt zone. He thought it warranted a penalty which wasn't called. So he just kept playing and moments later he took a pass from Addison Macey alone in front of the net and beat Marshall on a backhand for a 5-2 Express lead.

Three minutes later the Express lead was again cut to a pair after Payton Matsui slid the puck under Clay Stevenson to make it a 5-3 game.

1:25 later Adam Trotman capped off his three point night taking a pass out of the corner from Ryan Tattle and snapping home his second of the game. Tattle finished with one goal and an assist. In each of the Express first 5 wins this season at least one player has scored a pair of goals.

The shots finished 39-33 in favour of the Express. The 39 shots is a season high on the young season.

Saturday will see two hot teams go head to head as the Express will host the Salmon Arm Silverbacks who are a perfect 6-0 entering Wednesday's play. 

EXPRESS COME BACK PAYS OFF THIS TIME VS. SPRUCE KINGS

For a second straight game the Express had a multi goal comeback vs. the Prince George Spruce Kings, this time the Express came away with the full two points with a 5-3 victory.
Click here for boxscore

Like Friday, the Express came out of the first period trailing 2-0. Ben Brar who has been an Express killer this season opened the scoring with his second shorthanded goal against the Express on a rebound at 5:03.

Brar struck again in the final minute of the 1st period using a defender as a screen then snapping a shot past the glove of Clay Stevenson for a 2-0 Spruce Kings lead. For Brar it was his 3rd two goal outing against the Express this season. He has 7 goals already in 5 meetings with the Express this season.

Sunday the Express had their early period rally one frame earlier than Friday doing it in the second period.

Chase Danol started the come back for a second straight game firing a shot over the shoulder of Logan Neaton just 27 seconds into the second period.

That was followed 54 seconds later by Josh Wildauer scoring from the slot and the Express had erased a two goal Prince George lead in quick fashion for a second straight game.

Those goals proved to be a spring board for the Express attack that wouldn't let up.

Regan Kimens scored the third Express goal in a span of 6:16 converting a cross ice pass from Dallas Farrell.

Late in the second period a confident Express powerplay moved the puck around at will creating numerous quality chances. Finally, Dallas Farrell put a perfect pass on the tape of Josh Wildauer who tipped home his second goal of the period and a 4-2 lead after two periods. Farrell had three assists in the second period while his line mates Josh Wildauer scored twice and Regan Kimens had a goal and an assist.

Christian Sanda iced the game with just over 7 minutes to play redirecting an Alex DiPaolo pass through Neaton for a 5-2 lead moments after an odd man rush went awry.

Corey Cunningham finished the scoring with 10 seconds left. That only put a minor damper on Clay Stevenson's 5th win of the season as he finished with 28 saves.

The win puts the Express back up by two points of the Prince George Spruce Kings for second place. And they're three points back of the Chilliwack Chiefs for first place.

Wednesday night the Express will visit the Penticton Vees. 

EXPRESS 3 CENTENNIALS 2

Josh Wildauer and Sam Kozlowski
Photo courtesy of Damon James

The Express completed a season sweep of the Merritt Centennials with a 3-2 home ice win Wednesday night. Click here for boxscore

They got contributions from three unlikely goal scorers to pace the offensive attack. At the other end, Clay Stevenson was solid, most notably when the game was on the line in the third period.

Jack Lippis made his Express debut - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Wednesday's meeting also marked the Express debuts for forwards Jack Lippis and Jack MacNab. They were acquired by the Express earlier in the day in separate trades with the Wenatchee Wild and Nanaimo Clippers deals that saw future considerations go the other way.

MacNab had a two chances for the Express off the rush in the first period.

With the acquisitions of MacNab and Lippis that now gives the Express three players whose first name all starts with the name Jack. It was the longest serving Jack on the Express roster who opened the scoring. Josh Wildauer on the power play slid the puck to Jack Graham who slid the puck through the pads of Austin Roden.

Henry Cleghorn evened the game at one for Merritt finding a loose puck in front of the net and sliding it under Clay Stevenson.

The Express were called for three separate minors in the opening 11 minutes of the second period. The penalty killing which had a good night shut down the Centennials on each opportunity. In fact the Express held Merritt without a shot for the first 14 minutes of the second period. Their best chance never counted as a shot on goal as Matthew Kopperud beat Stevenson with a quick wrist shot, but rang it off the post.

One of the newcomers Jack Lippis had a hand in helping get the Express their second lead of the night. He skated the puck into the Merritt zone dishing it to Josh Bruce who set up Eric Linell who put a shot off the post. Troy Robillard playing in his 100th career BCHL game joined the rush and scored on the rebound for a 2-1 Express lead.

That goal was followed just 1:10 later by a goal from Lucas Wong who scored on a set up by Christian Sanda in the slot. The goals for both Wong and Robillard were their second of the season.

The task for the Express entering the third period was to protect their two goal lead. They faced a Merritt squad that was determined to claw their way back into it.

Lucas Wong scored the GWG - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Halfway through the period they took advantage of a turnover deep in the Express zone and Nick Wicks set up Bradley Cocca who scored to cut the Express lead to 3-2.

It was around this time that Express Head Coach Jason Fortier sensed his team needed to relax and re-focus on the task at hand. He called his timeout to reset their responsibilities defensively.

Kopperud put a second shot off the goal post in the 3rd period. Tyrell Buckley also snapped a shot off the post in the final frame.

The final test for the Express came in the final minutes of the game when Josh Wildauer was called for holding with 2:08 to play.

It was at this time Stevenson's play really shined. He made his best save of the game getting his left pad across to deny Zach Zorn with just over a minute to play. Stevenson finished with 20 saves. And in the two games vs. Merritt in the last week he turned aside 53 of 57 shots in a pair of Express wins.

The Express finished the night perfect on the night killing off all 6 Merritt powerplays.

Up next the Express will host the Trail Smoke Eaters on Friday night.