MACKIN HONOURED BY COQUITLAM SPORTS HALL OF FAME

It's been more than a year since Corey Mackin played his last game in an Express uniform. But the honors still keep coming in.

The Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame has named Mackin as their 2015 Senior Male athlete of the year.

The Philadelphia Pennsylvania native played two seasons with the Express from 2013-15. In his first year with the Express he helped the team win their second Fred Page cup BCHL championship.

The next year he would light up scoreboards around the BCHL. He would dress for all 58 games and lead the league in scoring with 50 goals and 54 assists for 104 points. Mackin would become just the third player in Express franchise history to score 50 goals in a season. It was the first time that an Express player who played in Coquitlam scored 50 goals in a season. The previous two players to do it Kyle Turris and Brodie Reid did it when the franchise was located in Burnaby.

Mackin's season was recognized by the BCHL by winning the Vern Dye award as league MVP and the Brett Hull trophy as the BCHL's top scorer. The 104 points Mackin registered in 14-15 is tied with Tyler McNeely for the second most points by a player in Express franchise history. He's also the second player in team history to win a BCHL scoring title joining Carlo Finucci who had 102 points in 2008.

In addition to recognition for his season by the BCHL, Mackin was honored nationally by being awarded the MVP and Top Forward by the Canadian Junior Hockey League.

In two seasons with the Express Mackin compiled 74 goals and 80 assists for 154 points in 115 games.

This past season Mackin completed his first season in the NCAA with Ferris State. He continued his success on the ice winning the WCHA rookie of the year award after 10 goals and 25 points in 41 games. Mackin's Bulldogs also won the WCHA championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament.

It's the second straight year a member of the Express have been honored by the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame. Head Coach Barry Wolff was named the 2014 Coach of the year.

Congratulations Corey.

EXPRESS ALUMS AT NCAA REGIONALS

The frozen four teams were determined this weekend with the regional play downs.

There were a number Express alumni playing this past weekend in win and you move on games in the NCAA tournament.

QUNNIPIAC ADVANCES TO FROZEN FOUR

The number 1 team in the country the Bobcats are the only team featuring Express alumni that have moved on to Tampa Bay.

The weekend started for Bo Pieper and company started Saturday with a  4-0 win over RIT in the East Regional semi final. Click here for video highlights.  Click here for boxscore

Former Penticton Vee Travis St. Denis and former Chilliwack Chief Scott Davidson was among the goal scorers. Former Surrey Eagle Devon Toews had three assists. Michael Gartieg the former Penticton Vee made 27 saves for the shutout.

In the East Regional final Qunnipiac punched their second trip to the Frozen Four in four years with a 4-1 win over UMass Lowell. Click here for NCAA story Click here for video highlights

Scott Davidson scored for a second straight game. Bo Pieper had 1 shot and was a +1. Devon Toews was a +4. Michael Gartieg needed to only make 14 saves.

Qunnipiac will face Boston College Thursday April 7th at 2pm. Catch the game on TSN2.

Other Express alums on Qunnipiac are Bo's brother Canon who's only played two games this season and none since October. Daniel Fritz hasn't played all season.

FERRIS STATE GOES DOWN IN WEST REGIONAL

It's been a successful first college season for Corey Mackin who was the WCHA rookie of the year. He along with teammate and Burnaby Express alum Simon Denis won the WCHA championship. For Denis he was a sentimental story playing in his 5th season of college hockey after missing a significant amount of time during his college career with a neck injury.

Ferris State opened their NCAA tournament taking on St. Cloud State. It was a back and forth game that saw Ferris State advance 5-4 in overtime. Click here for boxscore Click here for video highlights

Ferris State had leads of 2-1 after 1 period and 4-2 after two periods. St. Cloud State forced overtime with two goals in the third period. Former Penticton Vee Joey Benik tied the game at four.

It only took 18 seconds of overtime hockey for Ferris State to advance on a goal by Jared Vanwormer.

Ferris State faced Denver in the West Regional final. This was another back and forth game that saw Denver ultimately advance by a 6-3 score. Click here for boxscore Click here for video highlights

Corey Mackin was among the Ferris State goal scorers in the first period. He finished the game with one goal and one assist.

.@CMackin_21 ties the game at 2 late in the 1st. Catch the game on TSN2. pic.twitter.com/Dfrq3vQpxZ

— Coquitlam Express (@BCHLExpress) March 27, 2016

Thank you to everyone at @FerrisHockey for the best 5 years of my life. Beyond proud to be a Bulldog.

— Simon Denis (@skdenis26) March 28, 2016

Denver will face North Dakota in the second Frozen Four game Thursday April 7th at 5:30 PM.

The championship game will be played Saturday April 9th. Click here for NCAA tournament bracket.

In other NCAA tournament games featuring teams with Express alumni on the roster, Ryan Rosenthal's Northeastern Huskies fell 6-2 to North Dakota Friday in a Midwest Regional semi final. Rosenthal didn't play.

Alexander Kerfoot and Harvard University fell 4-1 to Boston College in a Northeast Regional semi final Friday. Next season Alexander and Colton Kerfoot will be teammates at Harvard. The older Kerfoot will dress in his senior season.

Boston University was eliminated by Denver 7-2 in a West Regional semi final Saturday. Eric Udahl didn't dress for a single game with BU after leaving the Express mid-season for BU during the Christmas break.

EXPRESS ALUMS WIN NCAA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

It's NCAA playoff time and a number of Express alumni have gone head to head in their respective league playoffs.

And a number of them won their respective league championships.

HOCKEY EAST CHAMPIONS NORTHEASTERN:

Ryan Rosenthal's Northeastern Huskies are the Hockey East champions. In the hockey east semi finals they defeated Thatcher Demko and Boston College. Then defeated UMass-Lowell in the final.

Click here for the Northeastern game story. 

ECAC CHAMPIONS QUINNIPIAC:

Bo and Canon Pieper at Qunnipiac are ECAC champions. They defeated Express alums Alexander Kerfoot and Phil Zielonka and Harvard University for the title. Bo Pieper scored for Qunnipiac as they opened up a 3-0 lead Saturday. Click here for Qunnipiac game story Qunnipiac has had a fantastic season and will be the number one seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament.

WCHA CHAMPIONS FERRIS STATE:

The winning beat goes on for Corey Mackin, he along with another Express alum Simon Denis are the WCHA champions. Along the way they defeated Alex Petan's Michigan Tech Huskies in the semi finals. Then they defeated Cole Huggins and Minnesota State 2-1 to win the WCHA title.

Mackin this year was named the WCHA rookie of the year. As part of Minnesota State's runs to the WCHA final they defeated Gordie Defiel and Lake Superior State in the quarter final last weekend in a best of three. Lake Superior's lone win was a 2-0 shutout win where Defiel made 57 saves.

Click here for Ferris State game recap

Today was selection Sunday for the NCAA tournament which leads to the Frozen Four. Click here for the NCAA tournament matches

Quinnipiac will face RIT in one East Regional first round game. Ferris State will face St. Cloud State in the West Regional first round game. 

Northeastern will face North Dakota in one of the Midwest Regional first round games.

Harvard will play Boston College in one of the Northeast Regional first round games.

The Frozen Four will be held April 7-9 in Tampa Bay. 

EXPRESS ALUMS FEATURED IN NCAA PLAYS OF THE WEEK

The NCAA top 5 plays of the week had some Express flavor in it with members of the 2014 Fred Page cup championship team Adam Rockwood, Gordie Defiel and Cam Marks. (Sorry Marksie I know you're on the wrong side of number 1) But we're still proud of you at UNH.

Check out the top 5 plays by clicking here.

Also want to recognize Corey Mackin who was named the WCHA rookie of the week last week with one goal and two assists while going +2.

Click here for more on Mackin

COREY MACKIN ALL 50 GOALS VIDEO

All 50 goals by Corey Mackin last season in one video.

Click here to see video with music



Another video I put together with some highlights of returning players.



Clearly I have too much time on my hands. See what happens when I don't have NHL hockey to watch.

MACKIN TAKES TWO TOP NATIONAL AWARDS

Coquitlam Express forward Corey Mackin received two of Canadian Junior A hockey's finest honours Friday. He was named the CJHL MVP and Top Forward.

This is the second time an Express player has been recognized nationally.  The first being Kyle Turris in 2007.

Congratulations Corey.

See the full press release below from the CJHL.

CALGARY, Alberta (May 8th, 2015) – The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) today announced the winners of five CJHL National Awards. The CJHL National Awards are awarded each season and recognize individual success in the 10 Junior A leagues in the CJHL. They include Most Valuable Player, Top Forward, Top Defenceman, Top Goaltender and Rookie of the Year.

The winner of the 2015 CJHL MVP Award and the 2015 CJHL Top Forward Award is Corey Mackin of the Coquitlam Express (BCHL). Corey Mackin, Coquitlam Express, BCHL (58GP, 50G - 54A - 104PTS) - Corey Mackin played 58 games and registered 50 goals, 54 Assists and 104 total points during the regular season. Mackin became the first BCHL player in five seasons to reach the 50-goal mark and led the league with nine shorthanded tallies. He took the league’s Brett Hull award as top scorer and also was voted league MVP by the coaches. Mackin was assessed just four minor penalties on the season and was a finalist for the BCHL’s most sportsmanlike player. He has one more year of Junior A eligibility and is committed to NCAA’s Ferris State University. The winner of the 2015 CJHL

Top Defenseman Award is Eric Williams of the Aurora Tigers (OJHL). Eric Williams, Aurora Tigers, OJHL (52GP, 22G - 28A - 50PTS) - Williams becomes just the third defenceman in franchise history to win the league's Top Defenceman Award. Williams led all OJHL rearguards with 22 goals on the season, which was the eighth best goal total by a defenceman in league history. The Newmarket, Ontario native tallied 17 power play goals, not only leading defenceman in that category, but also finishing second among all OJHL skaters. He added 11 power play assists and was the top blueliner with 28 power play points, also tied for second best among all players in the league. The OJHL 1st Team All-Star finished second in scoring among rearguards with 50 points, as well as with three game-winning goals, in 52 regular season games played. Williams' efforts throughout the 2014-15 season earned a second consecutive appearance at the Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge, earning a spot on Team OJHL Coffey for the 2014 event in Toronto, where he would tie for the tournament lead in scoring among defencemen with four points in three games played. Williams is slated to join the NCAA Division I, Northeastern University Huskies beginning with the 2015-16 Hockey East season. The winner of the 2015 CJHL

Top Goaltender Award is Nic Renyard of the Okotoks Oilers (AJHL). Nic Reynard, Okotoks Oilers, AJHL (43 GP, 30 W – 3 L – 8 T – 2.19 GAA – .924 S% – 5 SO) - Okotoks Oilers goaltender Nic Renyard was the 2014-2015 AJHL Most Valuable Player and Top Goaltender. The 20 year-old goaltender is wrapping up a record setting regular season for the Oilers and led all AJHL goaltenders in the areas of wins and save percentage. Renyard set a new franchise record for most shutouts and set the single season franchise record for lowest goals against average as well. The Victoria, BC goaltender joined the Oilers from the BCHL in September 2014 and kicked off the season by recording 13 games without a regulation loss (12-0-1). Throughout the season, Nic amassed two 7+ game winning streaks. Renyard was the recipient of the Viterra AJHL Player of the Game five times, and was also named as the Alberta Dodge Dealers AJHL Player of the Month in October 2014 when he posted a 8-0 record. Renyard has committed to the University of Massachusetts Minutemen of the NCAA Division I Hockey East Conference.

The winner of the 2015 CJHL Rookie of the Year Award is Cameron Morrison of the Aurora Tigers (OJHL). Cameron Morrison, Aurora Tigers, OJHL (57GP, 16G – 23A – 39PTS) - A highly recruited minor midget prospect in 2013-14, the 16-year old chose the OJHL route and NCAA option in joining his hometown Aurora Tigers for his rookie junior season. Morrison did not disappoint and the big, strong winger used his 6'3" frame to dominate the opposition at times, despite his young age, and became the youngest player (16 years, 7 months) to capture the Rookie-of-the-Year Award since Josh Shalla (16 years, 6 months) of the Bowmanville Eagles won East Division honours in 2007-08. Despite missing time due to appendicitis in early November, his 31 goals not only led the Tigers, but was the sixth best total among all OJHL players, while his 53 points placed him fourth in scoring on the club during the regular season. Morrison notched eight power play goals, third best on Aurora, as well as seven game-winning goals, which tied for second best total in the OJHL. Throughout the year, Morrison would post 13 multi-point games. Following the season, Morrison was also named an OJHL 1st Team All-Prospect and he is committed to join the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish beginning with the 2016-17 Hockey East season.

Each of the 10 leagues in the CJHL submitted a candidate for all of the CJHL National Awards. Each league then ranked their top five players from among the 10 national nominees and the five players with the highest point total moved on as finalists to the final round of voting. The winners were then selected by a second and final point-based vote cast from all 10 leagues.

MACKIN AND SUPINSKI TAKE HOME BCHL HARDWARE

Corey Mackin and Brett Supinski were recognized for their fantastic regular seasons with the announcement of the BCHL award winners Monday afternoon. Click here to see all BCHL award winners

Corey Mackin was named the BCHL's Most valuable player and Brett Supinski was named the BCHL's rookie of the year. The awards were voted on by the coaches in the BCHL.

Philadelphia Pennsylvania native Mackin more than doubled his rookie season production of 50 points in his second season in the BCHL by becoming the first player since 2010 to score 50 goals and register more than 100 points. His 50 goals and 104 points earned him the BCHL scoring championship as well.

Photo Courtesy of Damon James Photography.

Mackin also lead the BCHL with 9 shorthanded goals which led the BCHL and was 6 more than his nearest competition from a group of players who had 3 including teammate Brett Supinski. The 9 shorthanded goals also set a new Express franchise record for most shorthanded goals in a season set by Kyle Turris who had 7 in the 05-06 season.

This is the fourth time in Express franchise history that an Express player has won the MVP award. The previous times were Alex Petan 2012, Carlo Finucci 2008 and Kyle Turris 2007. Mackin is also the 2nd player to win the BCHL scoring championship joining Carlo Finucci in 2008.

His 104 points is tied for the second most points in a season by a player tied equalling Tyler McNeely who racked up his total in 2007. Mackin's 50 goals makes him the third player in Express history to score 50 goals in a season joining Kyle Turris who had 66 in 2007 and Brodie Reid's 52 in 2008.

Next season Mackin will attend Ferris State University.

Collegeville Pennsylvania native Brett Supinski in his one and only season in the BCHL finished second in BCHL goals and points with 48 goals and 98 points trailing only teammate Corey Mackin. It was the first time since 1997 that two teammates finished 1-2 in BCHL scoring.

Photo Courtesy of Damon James Photography

The 9 game winning goals for Supinski led the BCHL in that category. He scored all 3 overtime winning goals for the Express this season including scoring OT winners on consecutive nights December 19th and 20th vs. Victoria and Prince George.

He also set new Express franchise marks for most goals and points in a season by an Express rookie breaking the marks set by Brett Hemingway in the Express first season in 2001-02.

It's the 5th time in 14 seasons, and 3rd time in the last 5 seasons that an Express player has won the top rookie award. Previous Express winners are Alexander Kerfoot 2012, Destry Straight 2011, Kyle Turris 2006 and Brett Hemingway 2002.

To put the statistical achievements of Mackin and Supinski in a little perspective, they put their numbers up in a 58 game schedule when the previous winners did it in 60 game schedules.

Next season Supinski will attend Union College.

Congratulations to Corey and Brett for their fantastic seasons that will be talked about for years to come. 

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.

MACKIN PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Coquitlam Express forward Cory Mackin has been named the BCHL Player of the Week for the week ending Nov. 9, the league announced Monday. Mackin racked up six goals, including his third hat trick of the season, and four assists and led the Express to three wins. The Philadelphia native opened with two goals and a helper n a 5-4 win over Salmon Arm, upped the ante to a hat trick in a 6-3 victory over Surrey and concluded with goal and three helpers in a 10-5 triumph against Surrey. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Ferris State University recruit was named 2nd Star in each contest and took over the BCHL scoring lead with his offensive flurry. Honorable mentions this week: Coquitlam Express F Brendan Lamont: 5G, 2A, 1st Star, hat trick Cowichan Valley Capitals D Rylan Bechtel: 1G, 2A, 3rd Star Vernon Vipers F Anthony Latina: 3G, 1A, 1st Star, GWG Langley Rivermen G Bo Didur: 2W, 1st Star, 2nd Star West Kelowna Warriors F Brayden Gelsinger: 3G, 3A, 1st Star, GWG  

EXPRESS WIN 4TH STRAIGHT

First and foremost on behalf of everyone in the Express organization we all hope Ty Westgard is ok and wish his family the best after a scary incident to Ty's leg in the opening five minutes of the second period. I would prefer not to speculate on what the exact nature of his injury is. And thank you to the personnel in the building who attended to him before paramedics arrived to take him to the hospital.

Now on to the game which clearly is secondary.

Photo courtesy of Damon James.

The Express extended their winning streak to 4 straight games with a 6-3 win over the Surrey Eagles. Click here for boxscore 

Corey Mackin added to his BCHL lead in the goal scoring race with his third hat-trick of the season to pace the attack. Mackin now has 21 goals on the season. His three points also puts him in a tie with West Kelowna's Liam Blackburn for the lead in the BCHL scoring race with 35 points.

It was a back and forth game in the first two periods. Darius Davidson for Surrey and Corey Mackin traded goals in the first period.

Then in the second period it was John Wesley giving Surrey their second lead of the game at 2-1 shortly after the resumption of play following Ty Westgard's injury. Mackin then added his second of the game beating Daniel Davidson with a wrist shot from the left wing.

Brendan Lamont gave the Express their first lead of the night 19 seconds into the third period as he was hooked on a partial break then was able to poke the puck home for his 5th of the season.

Friday's game was the Express debut for Brendan Gulka who was acquired earlier in the day from the Cowichan Valley Capitals. He left his mark on the contest shortly after Lamont's goal by scoring his first Express marker banging home the rebound of a Joey Santucci shot from the boards.

AP Jordan Funk made things interesting scoring with 3:07 remaining.

But the Express were able to put the game to bed on empty net goals by Corey Mackin to complete the hat-trick and Cody Boyd to round out the scoring.

The two teams will meet again Saturday night at the South Surrey Arena.

CHRIS SPEC 'TAI' CULAR IN EXPRESS WIN

The Coquitlam Express extended their winning streak to three games thanks to a fantastic performance by Chris Tai and a pair of goals from both Corey Mackin and Joey Santucci in a 5-4 win over Salmon Arm. Click here for box score

Tai made 41 saves in the Express crease including 21 in the second period alone to post his third win with the Express. Things didn't start well for Tai and his teammates however.

Salmon Arm jumped on the Express in the opening 10 minutes and were rewarded for it. Karl El-Mir and Josh Blanchard scored 1:02 apart to open up a 2-0 Silverbacks lead midway through the first period. At one point the shots were 9-1 in favor of Salmon Arm.

Brendan Lamont got one back for the Express late in the opening frame after he buried the rebound of a Corey Mackin shot at 16:10 of the first period.

Joey Santucci evened things up for the Express with a power play goal for his fourth of the season with a slap shot that got past the glove of Zach Dyment.

Then the BCHL's goal scoring leader went to work. Corey Mackin scored his first of two on the night on a shorthanded breakaway to give the Express their first lead. It was also the first shorthanded goal for the Express this season.

Mackin then added a goal that will be shown on highlights everywhere. He took the puck in the neutral zone and with time to process what he was going to do, he went to his patented spin-a-rama move from the right wing cutting to the net and roofing a water bottle popping backhand past Dyment for a 4-2 Express lead.



Mackin now leads the BCHL with 18 goals. He also had an assist for a three point night.

Late in the second period came a key sequence in determining the outcome tonight.

The Express ran into penalty trouble with Cody Boyd heading off for unsportsmanlike conduct, Brendan Lamont being sent off for a minor for high sticking which was quickly followed by a double minor high sticking penalty to captain Joey Santucci.

The result was an extended 5 on 3 advantage and a double minor Salmon Arm powerplay that carried over into the third period.

But this is when Chris Tai cemented his first star honors in this game. He was spectacular in the second period. Most notably on the Silverback power play which helped preserve the two goal lead through 40 minutes.

Then in the third the Express were able to kill off the remaining 2:44 of the Santucci penalty to open the frame and hold on to their two goal lead.

This game was destined to have drama going right to the end. Logan Mick cut the Express lead to 4-3 midway through the third period.

Joey Santucci then added his second of the game less than two minutes later when his shot handcuffed Angus Redmond who swatted the rebound of the shot out of the air with his stick and just across the goal line before the net was knocked off. Referee Brett Iverson deserves credit for being in good position to make the call.

Salmon Arm again made it a one goal game as Ross Hedit scored deflecting Phill Middleton's point shot making the finish a nerve racking one.

Santucci is credited with the game winning goal tonight. But he also had to sit and watch his teammates cap off a great night on the penalty kill when he was called for goaltender interference with just under three minutes remaining.

The Express held off Salmon Arm's final push to preserve the victory tonight. The Silverbacks did go 1 for 8 on the power play. But the Express penalty killers deserves plenty of kudos for their efforts to kill off the final 7 Silverback man advantages Wednesday night.

Coquitlam will take their three game win streak and look to build on it with a home and home with Surrey starting Friday night in Coquitlam.

EXPRESS WIN SHOOTOUT WITH RIVERMEN

1st star Corey Mackin had his 2nd hat-trick of the season vs. Langley plus 2 assists. Photo Courtesy of Damon James.

The seesaw got a work out Friday as the Express and Rivermen went back and forth all night with the Express prevailing 7-5 for their 4th win of the season. Click here for boxscore

The top line of Corey Mackin, Brent Supinski and Brendan Lamont paced the Express attack combining for 12 points with Mackin leading the way with his second hat-trick of the season vs. Langley and 5 points.

The seesaw was tested less than 4 minutes into the game with Marcus Vela opening the scoring at 3:15. But 35 seconds later it was tied at one on Mackin's first of the night.

Chris Tai posted his first Express victory by turning aside 42 of 47 Langley shots sent his way. His best work came in the first period when 21 pucks were sent his direction.

Kevan Killistoff re-stored Langley's power play beating Tai with a wrist shot at 16;16. 

The final two periods really saw the teams test the durability of the proverbial seesaw tonight.

The opening minute of the second period saw the Express tie the game on Brett Supinski's first of two on the night.

40 seconds later Langley took their second lead of Colton Kehler's first goal as a member of the Rivermen.

Brett Supinski scored the prettiest goal of the night with his second of the evening. The puck found Mackin in the slot who quickly chopped it over to Supinski who danced past a Langley defender then cut to the goal and put it past the outstretched leg of Langley goaltender Darren Martin.

Late in the second period the Express took their first lead on Cody Boyd's first goal of the season. He poked home the loose puck in the crease after Colton Kerfoot dropped the puck back for Jackson Cressey who wired a shot off the cross bar from the slot.

The third period saw the teams really see what the seesaw was made of with 5 goals.

Langley tied it at 4 on their second power play goal of the night off the stick of Matthew Graham. 2:12 later the Express went ahead again on Daniel Fritz's 5th of the season when he wired a shot home off the cross bar.

That was followed 24 seconds later on Kevan Killistoff's second of the night to even things again at 5.

1:45 after Killistoff's goal the Express went ahead again as Supinski and Mackin with a few quick passes to set up Corey Mackin for his second of the game.

The Express could finally exhale with over a minute remaining in the third period when Corey Mackin completed his hat-trick by hitting the empty net after stealing the puck at the Rivermen blue line.

Mackin's line mates saw Brett Supinski score two goals and an assist. Brendan Lamont was in a giving mood with 4 helpers.

The teams will have a re-match Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre.

MACKIN'S HAT-TRICK NOT ENOUGH AS EXPRESS FALL TO RIVERMEN

Corey Mackin's first BCHL hat-trick wasn't enough for the Express as they fell 5-4 to the Langley Rivermen Friday night. Click here for box score

The Express remain with just one win of the season with a record of 1-4-0-1 through the first six games of the season.

As the team tries to improve as the season goes along the lessons learned along the way are pretty tough.

Things started well for Mackin and the Express with Mackin scoring his first of the night after he picked off a pass in the neutral zone and scored on his own rebound beating Bo Didur.

Three minutes later however Langley pulled even on William Campion's point shot that changed directions and find it's way past Pierce Dushenko.

It was another strong night for the Express powerplay striking twice on eight advantages. The first goal coming off the stick of Corey Mackin who snapped home Joey Santucci's cross ice feed for his second of the night.

But for as good as the powerplay has been for the Express, the penalty killing has been as equally if not even more not good enough.

For the second straight game the opposition got an extended 5 on 3 advantage, and for the second straight game the Express would find themselves fishing the puck out of their net as the game turns in favour of the opposition.

Gage Torrell and Matthew Graham scored 36 seconds apart to give Langley a 3-2 lead going to the second period.

The Express have now given up a BCHL high 12 powerplay goals on 32 shorthanded situations and their penalty killing sits dead last at 62.5%. They've given up at least one powerplay goal in each of their five losses and multiple powerplay goals in four of the six lossses to start the season.

Corey Mackin completed his first BCHL hat-trick 13 minutes into the second period snapping home a wrist shot from the slot that was tipped past Didur.

Newcomer Jivan Sidhu acquired earlier in the day from the Nipawin Hawks of the SJHL made his Express debut for the Express Friday. He was on the wrong end of a turnover of the puck coming out of his own zone that allowed Kevan Killistoff to score at 3:46 to give Langley a 4-3 lead.

41 seconds later Langley struck again as Gage Torrel scored his second of the night re-directing Jacob Zeleznikar's point shot past Pierce Dushenko. Langley finished the night with 42 shots. It was the third time this season an Express netminder had faced 40 plus shots.

Cameron Bertsch gave the Express hope when he converted as pass from Nic Rasovic for his first BCHL regular season goal with 7:18 to play.

That led to some momentum and some of the best scoring chances for the Express on the night. More specifically Brett Supinski. His first best chance when he put his own rebound off the post with Didur beat. Then his second came on a late Express powerplay with Supinski set up in front but Didur fired up his glove for his best of 28 saves on the night.

The Express will get their next crack at their second win of the season Sunday afternoon vs. Nanaimo.

EAGLES TOP EXPRESS IN OT

This years edition of the Coquitlam Express is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get to steal a line from the movie Forrest Gump.

Some nights the Express might light the lamp and win going away. Some mights they might have the opposition light the lamp and win going away. Some nights they will play a tight strong defensive hockey game and come away victorious. And some nights both teams will light the lamp and it's a flip of a coin to determine who will come away with the two points.

Sunday it was the latter that came to fruition in a 5-4 overtime win by the Surrey Eagles.

There were momentums swings, lead changes, pretty goals and a weird one on this night.

Surrey got the offense rolling as Joseph Drapluk scored with 1 second remaining in a two minute 5 on 3 for Surrey in controversial fashion.

The two man advantage came about starting with some interference by Zach Hodder in the neutral zone. Then some pushing and shoving after the whistle and some how Surrey came out of it with a 2 man advantage.

On the goal Ben Israel was knocked to the ice away from the play allowing Joseph Drapluk to walk out of from the side of the net and score on Gordie Defiel.

The Express pulled even with a power play goal of their own. Corey Mackin worked the puck down low to Adam Rockwood who zipped a pass cross crease to a pinching Cam Marks who had the pass bounce off his skate and in for his second goal of the season.

Things really started to open up in the second period.

On another Surrey power play captain Brett Mulcahy slid the puck towards the Express net and Gordie Defiel never could get control of the puck as he went to play it and it found it's way to bounce in.

Just 1:17 later Defiel was beat again, this time on a much more difficult shot as Danton Heinen wired it past Defiel from the left wing for a 3-1 Surrey lead.

To the Express credit they went right to work trying to chip away at the deficit.

Cody Boyd pulled the visitors within one as his shot hit something on it's way to the net and got past Devon Fordyce.

Then the BCHL's most dangerous shorthanded team struck again. Ryan Rosenthal poked the puck up to Corey Mackin who walked in on a breakaway and beat Fordyce over the glove to tie the game at 3.

It was the 12th shorthanded goal scored by the Express and also the 12th allowed by the Surrey Eagles this season. Both numbers are the highest in the BCHL. It was also the 5th shorthanded goal the Express have scored vs. Surrey this season.

Mackin added his second of the period with 2:16 remaining as he took a pass from Rosenthal and slid it home for the only lead the Express would hold on this night at 4-3.

That lead lasted just :37 seconds as right off a face-off in the Express zone Nic Pierog swatted a puck past Defiel to tie the game at 4.

Nothing was decided in the third period. Each team had their chances in the period to break the deadlock. The best came in the final 35 seconds of the third period as Adam Rockwood came out of the corner powered the puck to the net and was stopped by the right leg of Fordyce who also turned Ryan Rosenthal aside with an even better save on the rebound.

In the first overtime the best chance to end it was a breakaway for Luke Sandler but the Eagles forward lost control of the puck on his attempt to deke to the backhand.

The Eagles prevailed in the second overtime as Jonah Renouf broke in on a 2 on 1, he showed great patience and in the process an Express defender ran into Defiel allowing Renouf to deke past the traffic and slide the puck into an open net for the game winner.

Surrey outshot the Express 40-33. With the win, they pull within 4 points of the Express for 3rd place in the Mainland division standings.

The Express will play their final game before Christmas Friday vs. the Powell River Kings. 

STANWOOD STANDS ON HIS HEAD

Lyndon Stanwood made 49 saves as the Express fired a season high 52 shots on goal, but it still wasn't enough as the Chilliwack Chiefs dropped the Express 4-3 Sunday afternoon.

It was a game where the Express deserved a better fate based on their effort but weren't rewarded for it at the end of the 60 minutes.

The Express jumped on the Chiefs right from the start of the game peppering the diminutive Chiefs net minder. They broke through just over 5 minutes in as Corey Mackin banged home the rebound of a Marc Biega shot for his 11th goal of the season.

Less than 2 minutes later the Express struck again as Mackin set up Jace Hennig for his 5th goal of the season. Hennig played on the top line with Mackin and Captain Ryan Rosethal as leading scorer Adam Rockwood missed his first game as he attends the selection camp for Team Canada West for the upcoming World Junior A Challenge.

The Express speed was very effective in the first period helping create a number of quality scoring chances in the first period as they fired 20 shots on goal but couldn't put any more past Stanwood whose athleticism made for a number of quality saves in the first period.

Chilliwack got on the board late in the opening period while shorthanded. Their captain Austin Plevy danced into the Express zone. He couldn't beat Zach Hodder one on one, but followed up his chance and set up Quentin McShane who blasted a one timer past Gordie Defiel.

The Express re-stored their lead early in the second period early as Bo Pieper hustled to the puck along the boards and fired the puck at the net where Joey Santucci was alone in front who easily re-directed home his 7th of the season.

Stanwood's best save of the many he made Sunday afternoon came midway through the second period. Bo Pieper led a 2 on 1 with Mackin and Bo slid the puck across to Mackin who had a gaping net but couldn't best Stanwood who dove to his right to make a remarkable save.

The Chiefs used that big save as a turning point to try and get back in the game despite being heavily outshot.

Jaret Babych on a feed from Jake Hand scored just moments after the Stanwood save on Mackin to cut the Express lead down to 3-2.

Despite a 37-14 advantage in shots through 40 minutes the Express only had a 1 goal lead to work with.

4 minutes into the third the game was even as Kurt Black set up by Austin Plevy slid the puck through the legs of Defiel.

Then midway through the frame Ben Butcher from the point blasted a high shot that went over the glove of Defiel to give Chilliwack their first and only lead of the game.

Looking for the equalizer the Express kept firing pucks at Stanwood who wouldn't be beat the rest of the night. That included a pair of powerplays for the Express who finished 0 for 6 on Sunday. And like Friday night vs. West Kelowna, the outcome would have been better for the Express had the powerplay been a difference maker.

The Express are back in action Friday night for their lone game of the weekend when they will try again to pick up just their 2nd win on home ice and snap a 4 game losing skid when they host the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.