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.

WARRIORS USE LATE RALLY TO DROP EXPRESS IN OT

Brett Mennear scored OT winner Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Garrett James Photography.

West Kelowna fired 50 shots and scored six times for the second time in 10 days vs. the Express in a 6-5 come from behind overtime win. Click here for box score

The Warriors battled back from a pair of two goal deficits as part of their win on a rare Tuesday game played at the Poirier Sports and Leisure centre.

The first two goal deficit for West Kelowna came in the first period as the Express got off to a good start. Daniel Fritz scored his second powerplay goal of the season beating a screen Scott Patton for Fritz's second goal of the season.

Express celebrate second goal. Photo courtesy of Garrett James.

That was followed up just over four minutes later as Colton Kerfoot scored for a second straight night banging home a rebound after Cody Boyd powered the puck to the front of the net from the right wing.

Then came a run of penalties for the Express. The Warriors had a pair of 5 on 3 opportunities for at least 1:13 in length in the first period. The second two man advantage proved to be fruitful as Jason Cotton scored with a wrist shot over the shoulder of Brayden Krogfross with 1:17 remaining in the first period.

West Kelowna's first come back from a two goal deficit was completed 2:21 in to the second period as Ryan Ivey scored from the left wing beating Krogfross to the glove side. That goal really sparked West Kelowna for the remainder of the game as they started to pull away in the shot department.

But the game quickly turned in favour of the Express as Corey Mackin and Brett Supinski scored 10 seconds apart midway through the second period to give the Express their second two goal lead of the night. Those two goals spelled the end of the night for Patton who was lifted after allowing 4 goals on 14 shots.

Recently acquired Michael Buonincontri scored in his first game with West Kelowna just 1:01 after Supinski's goal to cut the defict back down to one. On the play however Buonincontri was shaken up and did not return to the game.

2:01 after that goal it was a two goal lead for the Express again as Fritz scored his second powerplay goal of the night converting a pass from Colton Kerfoot.

Despite outscoring the Warriors 3-2 in the period, the shots favoured the Warriors 18-7 in the middle frame and there was no certain feeling the game was decided entering the third period.

Jonathan Desbiens scored 12 minutes into the period on a set up from Liam Blackburn behind the net to pull the Warriors within one.

Then in the final minute Desbiens scored again re-directing as Kristian Blumenschein point shot to send the game to overtime.

The teams traded shots and chances in the first 4 on 4 overtime session with West Kelowna holding a 6-5 advantage but nothing was decided.

3 on 3 overtime saw Brendan Lamont haul Jordan Masters down to the ice forcing the official to make the call and the automatic penalty shot.

On the free pass Krogfross kept the game alive with a glove save.

Rutigliano and Santucci come together. Photo courtesy of Garrett James.

But on the Warriors 51st shot of they night they came away victorious as Brett Mennear found himself alone in front and he poked his own rebound home for a 6-5 win.

Brayden Krogfross did all he could to keep the Express in the game. Tuesday's contest was the 3rd time in 5 games the Express had allowed 40+ shots.

The Express finished the month of September with a 1-3-0-1 record. They open October Friday night with a home game vs. the Langley Rivermen.