Coquitlam Express forward Regan Kimens has been named the BCHL Player of the Week for the week ending Jan. 13, the league announced Monday.
Kimens tallied four goals in his team’s four-game home stand this week, three of which were game-winners. He also added five assists, leading the Express to three wins and an overtime loss.
The 19-year-old Merrimack College commit started off his week by scoring the eventual game-winning goal and adding a pair of assists in his team’s convincing 8-1 win over the West Kelowna Warriors on Monday night. He was named the game’s second star. Two nights later, Kimens chipped in another two assists as Coquitlam dropped a 5-4 decision in overtime to the Merritt Centennials.
On Friday, the Concord, Ont. native scored the deciding goal just under four minutes into overtime and was named first star as the Express beat their division rivals the Chilliwack Chiefs 5-4. He finished off his impressive week on Sunday afternoon by potting another two goals, including his third game-winner of the week, and added one assist as the Express put up eight goals for the second time in a week and beat the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 8-4.
In his second season in the BCHL, Kimens sits fourth in team scoring with 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points in 38 games.
Honourable mentions:
Vernon Vipers G Aidan Porter: 3GP, 3W, 66 saves/70 shots, .943 SV%, 1.33 GAA
Victoria Grizzlies F Alex Newhook: 3GP, 3G, 3A, GWG, 1st star, 2nd star
Penticton Vees F Massimo Rizzo: 2GP, 2G, 3A, GWG, 1st star
Penticton Vees F Eric Linell: 2GP, 2G, 3A, 2nd star
Salmon Arm Silverbacks F Matthew Verboon: 3GP, 3G, 2A, 1st star
Ty Westgard picked up four assists and Regan Kimens scored twice while adding a helper as the Express doubled Alberni Valley 8-4. Click here for boxscore
The Express started the game as if they were shot out of a cannon playing a high tempo pace that the road weary Bulldogs looked like they would have trouble keeping up with.
Defenceman Pito Walton followed the play right to the Bulldogs net and converted a Regan Kimens pass for a 1-0 Express lead just 30 seconds into the game.
And from there the Express were buzzing in the Bulldogs zone and it took until the 8 minute mark of the game before Alberni Valley was credited with their first shot, while the Express had 8 on John Hawthorne at the other end.
Alberni Valley pulled even taking advantage of an Express turnover at the Bulldogs blueline allowing Issac Tonkin-Palmer to be quickly sprung the other way and snapping a shot in off the glove of Clay Stevenson to tie the game at 1.
Jordan Schulting restored the Express lead late in the period, heading to the net and converting a tip in pass from Ty Westgard for Schulting's 2nd of the season.
Christian Sanda was robbed in the final minute of the period by John Hawthorne who stretched out as far as he could to keep the Express lead at just 2-1 after the Express outshot Alberni Valley 15-4 in the first period.
Dawson Tritt thought he tied the game at two on a powerplay goal he jammed in from under the glove of Clay Stevenson. After discussion by the officials, the call was overturned on coincidental contact.
Regan Kimens potted his first of the net converting from the slot for the second two goal Express lead of the night at 3-1.
The second period wasn't quite as uptempo as the first period. That allowed Alberni Valley to claw their way back in the game at moments.
Mitch Deelstra cut in the Express zone with speed and did a good job to fight off Jack Cameron then slide home his 15th of the season.
Josh Wildauer had the response for the Express just 30 seconds later snapping home his 22nd of the season from the right circle.
The pesky Bulldogs made it a one goal game for a third time two minutes later on a goal by Stephen Castagna.
It was at this point the Express would shake off the Bulldogs and pull away for good.
Regan Kimens from just inside the blueline took a drop pass and ripped home his 5th goal against Alberni Valley this season. Then exactly one minute later Dallas Farrell found himself alone in front of the net and took a backhand from Danny Pearson and Farrell put the Express up 6-3 after 2 periods.
Danny Pearson 5 minutes into the third scored for a second straight game in which he dressed going to the net and converting a set up from Farrell to make it a 7-3 game.
Ryan Novecosky surprised Clay Stevenson snapping a shot from the point for his first of the season to make it a 7-4 game.
That was followed by Alex DiPaolo finishing the scoring tipping home a heads up pass from Jack Cameron.
John Hawthorne then denied Regan Kimens second hat-trick of the season vs. the Bulldogs with a great glove save on a late third period powerplay.
The Express finished the game outshooting Alberni Valley 34-23. Both teams went 0 for 2 on the powerplay.
The win improves the Express to 3-0-1 in their 6 game home stand picking points in all 4 games so far. It will continue Wednesday afternoon when the Express host the Surrey Eagles.
Regan Kimens scored at 3:54 of the first overtime to lift the Coquitlam Express to a 4-3 overtime victory over Kimens' former team the Chilliwack Chiefs. Click here for boxscore
The result ensured that all 6 games have been won by the home team in the season series. Each time has won three times on their comfortable confines.
This was the tightest of the six games between the teams, which felt more like a playoff game. Clay Stevenson had one of his better outings in recent weeks to post the victory in the Express crease.
Friday marked the Express debuts for Ty Westgard and Aaron White who were acquired from Surrey on Wednesday. Dallas Farrell also returned to the lineup after missing the previous 5 games.
Penalties were the name of the game for the Express in the first period. Chilliwack struck on their first powerplay on a cross ice pass by Ethan Bowen to set up Cole Donhauser for the 1-0 Chilliwack lead.
Clay Stevenson ensured the deficit was just one shutting the door the rest of the period including a number of challenging saves on deflections.
The Express were whistled for two other penalties in the opening period, but the penalty killing rose to the occasion to keep the Express only down 1-0 after being outshot 15-4.
Dallas Farrell pulled the Express even late on their first powerplay in the second period. Alex DiPaolo from the left wing fired a wrist shot that produced a rebound for Farrell to bury his 9th goal of the season.
2:02 later now with the Express shorthanded, a clearing attempt into the Chilliwack end was pressured up ice by Josh Wildauer who stole the puck off Chiefs goaltender Daniel Chenard and was beat on a wraparound by Wildauer for the first Express lead of the night.
The second period was a more wide open period with the teams at times trading chances at both ends of the ice.
Pito Walton extended the Express lead to 3-1 taking pass from Alex DiPaolo then ripping a snapshot for his 4th of the season.
The pesky Chiefs cut the lead to one before the second period was through on a goal from Brett Rylance cutting into a slot then snapping a shot over the shoulder of Clay Stevenson with 1:45 remaining in the second period.
Chilliwack opened the third period with a powerplay with Christian Sanda in the box for kneeing. Jacques Boquot even the game at 3 just 30 seconds into the third period taking a cross ice pass from Skyler Brind'Amour then cutting to the net and sliding home a backhand.
Now in a tie game the teams settled into a tight and somewhat nerve racking third period with neither team wanting to be the one to blink.
Alex DiPaolo came close to giving the Express the lead with a shot off the post with 3 minutes to play.
Then with just under 90 seconds left Clay Stevenson made his best save of the game off Ethan Bowen from the slot. Stevenson finished with 31 saves.
Ty Westgard may have been able to play the role of hero for the Express if a pass from Dallas Farrell into the slot in the final minute wasn't behind one of the newest members of the Express.
Friday was the second straight game for the Express to head to overtime. They played much better in the overtime compared to the previous game Wednesday vs. Merritt. The Express managed to get more puck possession which is so vital in overtime, and that lead to more chances in the extra session for the Express.
Late in the overtime a shot from the boards by Kimens was stopped by Daniel Chenard. Then the Chiefs Harrison Blaisdell took the rebound behind his net to slow things down for the Chiefs, only to bel pressured by his former teammate Regan Kimens who stole the puck off Blaisdell then scored the overtime winner lifting the puck over the pad of Chenard to give the Express the 4-3 overtime victory.
The win gives the Express a 2-0-1 record picking up 5 out of 6 points so far on their 6 game home stand. It will resume Sunday afternoon when the Express host Alberni Valley.
The Coquitlam Express are proud to announce that 1999 forward Regan Kimens has been committed to Merrimack College for next season.
The Concord, Ontario native has 6 goals and 19 points through 19 games this season, the same amount of points he totaled in all of last year. His offensive consistency has really stood out with points in 15 of 19 games this season. And to be more specific he has points in 15 of his last 17 games and had a 13 game point streak recently snapped after tallying 5 goals and 12 assists for 17 points.
"Just beyond excited to be a part of the future for this team. I can't thank the the coaching staff and the boys on the team enough for me getting here, I wouldn't have done it without them." said Kimens.
"Regan has been an excellent addition to the Express. He has earned the minutes he plays and is an honest player who works hard each game. Regan spent the summer training hard to become successful and when a player combines skill and effort he will always succeed." said Express Head Coach and General Manager Jason Fortier.
The is the second commitment to an NCAA school in as many days for the Express with today's news and the announcement of Kolby Matthews being committed to RIT yesterday. Kimens becomes the 10th player on the Express current roster to be committed to an NCAA school.
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.
The Coquitlam Express have now won 5 games in a row following their 5-2 victory over the Langley Rivermen Friday night. Click here for boxscore
A strong night on special teams was key to the Express victory. They went 2 for 7 on the powerplay while killing off all 7 shorthanded situations.
Friday saw Express new comer Nicholas Wildgoose make his Express debut after he was acquired from the Vernon Vipers earlier this week.
He found the scoresheet picking up an assist on the Express first goal of the night. He was involved in a scrum with Christian Sanda digging for the puck below the goal line and Chase Danol came in and dug out the puck then roofing it over the shoulder of Alex Rolfe for a powerplay goal with one second remaining in the man advantage.
The goal for Danol was his 5th of the season and it was the 4th consecutive game he found the back of the net.
Josh Bruce and rookie Danny Pearson had been giving the Express valuable minutes in recent games, Friday their strong play resulted in contributions on the scoresheet.
They worked the puck in the Langley zone. Then got some help from defensemen Drew Cooper who pinched down to keep the attack alive. Then Bruce found Pearson who was alone in the slot and he snapped home his first BCHL goal for a 2-0 Express lead after 20 minutes.
The second period is where the Express penalty killing really helped win the game for the home team. They were shorthanded for a full two minutes on three separate occasions in the first 13 minutes of the period. The penalty killing units did a great job of limiting time for the Rivermen to set up on the powerplay. Then pressuring the puck up ice and forcing turnovers and at times ragging the puck to kill more time off the Rivermen advantages.
Christian Sanda was one of the better penalty killers on the night using his speed all over the ice to create problems for the Rivermen powerplay.
Alec Capstick did cut into the Express lead sliding the puck under Kolby Matthews at 7:03.
But the lead was back to 2 just over 3 minutes later after a quick pass up the middle found Josh Wildauer at the Langley blueline, Regan Kimens joining the rush stretched his leg as far as he could to stay onside then he took a pass from Wildauer and roofed his second of the season for a 3-1 Express lead.
Drew Cooper's physical play has opened some eyes from the backend this young season.
In the 2nd period he delivered a solid and clean check on Chase Pletzke. Rivermen defensemen Jake Livingstone didn't see the hit that way and rushed to the defence of his teammate and dropped the gloves with Cooper. It ended up being the end of the night for both players following the automatic ejections after the evenly fought tilt.
Livigstone ended up with the extra penalty for instigating giving the Express a 4 on 3 powerplay. It didn't take long for the Express to strike as Dallas Farrell zipped a pass across to Alex DiPaolo who scored his 4th of the season for a 4-1 Express lead after two periods.
At the other end Kolby Matthews had made 18 saves by the end of the second period. His best to that point came on a breakaway for Daneel Lategan.
Garrett Daly cut the Express lead to 4-2 just over three minutes into the third period with a snapshot from the right point past the glove of Matthews. But that would be the final puck to get past Matthews who finished with 25 saves to post his third straight win.
Danny Pearson and Josh Bruce capped off their solid night to help set up Cooper Connell who snapped home his 3rd of the season at 13:27 past Braedon Fleming. The veteran Langley goaltender came in for the third period after Alex Rolfe was relieved after 4 goals on 10 shots through 40 minutes. It's the second straight game the Express have chased the opposition's goaltender.
The win kept the Express tied with the Chilliwack Chiefs for first place in the Mainland division with 12 points.
The Express will host the Prince George Spruce Kings on Sunday afternoon.
