EXPRESS SNAP STREAK VS. GRIZZLIES

Jason Fortier has his first win as the Head Coach of the Coquitlam Express. It came in his third game behind the bench by a 6-2 score over the Victoria Grizzlies Sunday. Click here for boxscore

The win for the Express snapped their 15 game winless streak (0-14-1-0).

The Express were facing a road weary Victoria team that had played in Prince George and Vernon the previous two nights.

Early on it didn't look like Victoria was playing their third game of the weekend. They appeared to have opened the scoring off a won face-off in the Express zone in the opening minute. But upon further review by the officials it was deemed the deflection of the shot was contacted with a high stick.

Victoria didn't allow the no goal call to dissuade them. T.J. Friedman opened the scoring just shy of the 4 minute mark.

The red hot Eric Linell evened things up for the Express in the final minute of the first period scoring from the slot on a set up from captain Alex Ambrosio. The goal set off a frenzy of stuffed animals on the annual teddy bear toss night for the Express.

Justin Michealian tipped a pass home at the lip of the goal crease at 3:12 of the second period giving the Grizzlies their second lead of the night. That would be the final puck to get past goaltender Brock Hamm who shut the door the rest of the way to finish with 35 saves to post his first victory in the Express crease.

Just over two minutes after the Grizzlies goal, Linell struck again converting a set up in the blue paint from Jordan Schulting to tie the game at 2. The goal for Linell was his 15th of the season. By that point he had scored the last 5 Express goals dating back to Wednesday vs. Langley.

Christian Sanda, who appears to be a little rejuvenated lately gave the Express their first lead banging home a rebound to give the Express a 3-2 lead they would carry into the third period.

Jordan Schulting gave the Express some insurance early in the third jumping into the play and found a loose puck in the Victoria crease for his third of the season.

Sunday was a career day for Express captain Alex Ambrosio. He had a four point game with one goal and three assists. He capped off his memorable afternoon with a strong defensive play then rushing the puck up the ice and outwaited Victoria goaltender Bryce Schiebel and slid the puck home for a 5-2 Express lead.

Colby Pederson rounded out the scoring for the Express hitting the empty net with 1;53 to play. The 6 Express goals was a new single game high.

They're now 1-1-1-0 for three points since the coaching change. In that time they've only allowed 7 goals for an average of less than 3 per night in the short period of time.

The Express will seek their first road win of the season Wednesday when they travel to Vernon. 

SPECIAL TEAMS DIFFERENCE IN GRIZZLIES WIN OVER EXPRESS

Reid Cooper finished with 20 saves Photo courtesy of Garrett James

A productive power play for the Victoria Grizzlies and the lack of one for the Express was the difference in a 4-2 Victoria win Sunday in the finale at the BCHL showcase for both teams.
Click here for boxscore

The Grizzlies struck twice on the power play while the Express were blanked.

The Express had a second straight strong start. They outshot the Grizzlies early on opening up a 6-1 advantage. They were physical and controlling the play below the hashmarks in the Victoria zone.

A strong shift in the Victoria zone by Aiden Wagner, Hadyn Delorme and Jake Toor teamed up to open the scoring with Toor burying his own rebound after he was set up alone in front of the net for a 1-0 Express lead.

The Express had their opportunities to expand their lead with three powerplays in the first but were unable to capitalize in their chances.

In the second period Mitch Newsome hit the post and Will Lawrence was stopped in front of the net by Shawn Parkinson on more good scoring chances for the Express to add to their lead.

Midway through the second period the Grizzlies power play used their patience to tie the game. A smart dump and puck retrieval allowed the Victoria to set up in the Express zone.

Troy Robillard - Photo courtesy of Garrett James

Then 16 year old Alex Newhook on a slap pass tipped home by Tanner Hopps tied the game at one.

This was a key point in the game that started to turn it in Victoria's favour.

Late in the period a two on one down low in the Express zone resulted in a goal by Ethan Nother giving Victoria a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes.

Veteran Jamie Rome scored 18 seconds into the third period for a 3-1 Grizzlies lead.

That goal didn't dissuade the Express and they cut the deficit back to one after a good shift of patient puck control in the Grizzlies zone. Eventually the puck was worked to captain Alex Ambrosio who scored his first of the season on the backhand to cut the deficit to 3-2 with just under 14 minutes left.

Then the Express power play let them down again moments after the Ambrosio scored when they were unable to strike with Nico Somerville in the box.

As the final minutes ticked down the game started to open up as the Express pressed for the equalizer. Reid Cooper did all he could to keep the Express within one. His best same coming off Lucas Clark with just over 5 minutes to play.

A. Ambrosio & J. Brien - Photo courtesy of Garrett James

Seconds later Alex Ambrosio was whistled for boarding for a hit delivered in front of the Victoria bench.

The Grizzlies only needed 20 seconds on the power play to convert restoring their two goal lead. Justin Michaelian potted a loose puck in front of the net to give Victoria a 4-2 lead. 16 year old rookie Alex Newhook picked up his third assist on the tally. The Grizzlies finished 2 for 5 on the power play.

In a fitting ending to the game the Express couldn't cut the deficit in the final moments of the game on their final power play of the game. The Express finished 0 for 6 on the power play.

The effort level was there for the Express but they just couldn't take advantage of their chances. The Express outshot Victoria 28-24. The loss now sees the Express winless in their first 5 games (0-4-1) to start the season.

Up next the Express are in Salmon Arm this Friday.

GRIZZLIES 8 EXPRESS 2

Victoria spread the attack around 7 different goal scorers and 7 players with multi point games in a 8-2 win over the Express Sunday afternoon. Click here for boxscore

Nathan Looysen and Jake Stevens led the way with three points apiece. The former scored twice while added an assist.

Victoria playing in their third game in as many days after starting the weekend in Prince George showed little signs of fatigue jumping on the Express in the first period. They had a 2-1 lead after the first period thanks to goals from Looysen and TJ Friedman. Friedman's goal came just 31 saves after Hayden Knight scored his second goal in as many goals for the Express.

Nick Guiney opened up a 3-1 Victoria lead just past the 6 minute mark of the second period. Luca Leone pulled the Express back within one on the power play just two minutes later. Leone like Hayden Knight scored his in his second straight game.

From there Victoria pulled away for good. Cameron Thompson and Jake Stevens scored 1:34 apart and it was 5-2 Victoria after two periods.

The Grizzlies added three more in the third from Keyvan Mokhtari, Looysen's second of the game and Jamie Rome.

The Island division leading Grizzles outshot the Express 45-20. Lawson Fenton took the loss for the Express and Tony Rehm made 18 saves to improve to 3-0.

The Express killed off all three Victoria power plays while going 1 for 3 when the Grizzlies were a man down.

The loss drops the Express to winless in their last 16 games 0-14-1-1. They will host the Wenatchee Wild Wednesday. 

LEONE OT HERO VS. GRIZZLIES

Taylor Green takes part in pre-game veterans night ceremony - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Luca Leone scored the double overtime winner to give the Express their second overtime win over the Victoria Grizzlies this season.

This time the result was 4-3 in favour of the Express. Click here for boxscore

Many of the same contributors for the Express in their win Wednesday at Langley also chipped in Friday night.

Leone taps in OT winner - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Alex Ambrosio picked up where he left off Wednesday where he scored into an empty net to seal the win opened the scoring Friday. His linemates Jonathan Irving and Keegan Jones worked to get the puck out of the defensive zone. Then Jones broke away with Ambrosia on a two on one and Jones laid a perfect pass across to Ambrosio who finished off his third of the season on the backhand.

That goal gave the Express some momentum which led to at least three good scoring chances only to be turned away by Matthew Galajda who kept the Express lead at just one.

Former Express Dante Hahn had a hand in pulling the Grizzlies even late in the first period when he made a pass out from behind the Express net to find Brayden Gelsinger who slid a shot under Howat to tie the game at one after the first period.

McIlMurray had two assists - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Colton Kerfoot tied the game at four for the Express Wednesday in Langley. Friday, he gave the Express a 2-1 lead when he took the puck to the net from the right wing side flipping the puck over the glove of Galajda. That made up for a breakaway opportunity Kerfoot missed earlier in the period when he again tried to lift the puck over the glove of the Victoria goaltender.

1:27 later the Express added to their lead with Jack Surowiec scoring for a second straight game ripping home a wrist shot from the slot. Linemates Kerfoot and Austin McIlmurray picked up the helpers. McIlMurray finished with two assists.

Like the first period, Victoria struck late in the second period. The puck came free to Nick Guiney and from the circle he beat Howat with a shot top shelf.

Eric Udahl throws a hit - Photo courtesy of Damon James

The Grizzlies caught a break in the third period to pull even. Keyvan Mokhtari from the corner threw the puck in front and it bounced in off Cody Van Lierop to tie the score at three.

Then the goaltenders took over to send the game to overtime. Howat shut the door as the Grizzlies had an edge in play after pulling even.

At the other end Galajda shut the Express down when tested with 13 third period shots sent his way.

So for the second straight meeting between the teams it went past 60 minutes. Charlie Barrow was the overtime hero for the Express in Victoria on October 1st.

Nothing was settled in the first overtime of 5 minutes 4 on 4.

The most important lesson for all players in 3 on 3 is puck management.

The Express capitalized on a Grizzlies mistake to set up the winner. A Victoria defenceman swept the puck around behind his own net but didn't have a partner back to support him. Luca Leone got on his horse and raced the puck to set up Kerfoot alone in front of the Victoria net, Kerfoot was patient and waited for Leone to go to the net and Kerfoot set up Leone for a tap in to give the Express the 4-3 victory. The loss snapped Victoria's winning streak at 5 games.

Tyger Howat made 34 saves - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Leone scored his second goal in as many games. Kerfoot finished with 1 goal and 2 assists while on his way to first star honors.

It was also a pretty clean game with only one power play in the game going to Victoria in the second period.

Tyger Howat finished with 34 saves for his 5th win of the season.

The two wins for the Express will go a long way to help prepare for a big test next week for a pair of games with Penticton and a visit from Wenatchee. Friday the Vees extended their winning streak to 21 straight games with a win in West Kelowna. 

SUPINSKI BEATS THE BUZZER IN EXPRESS WIN OVER GRIZZ

Scoring twice on teddy bear toss night takes the pain away for Brendan Lamont - Photo courtesy of Damon James.

Brett Supinski scored with less than a second remaining in the second overtime to give the Express a dramatic 3-2 overtime win over the Victoria Grizzlies. Click here for box score

The fantastic finish capped off a very entertaining night of hockey that wasn't worthy of seeing the teams finish tied.

Coquitlam entered the game riding a three game losing streak and looked to begin their final two games before the Christmas break on a positive note.

Brayden Krogfoss got just his second start in nearly two months. He's quietly sat and watched the majority of action since the acquisition of Chris Tai. It was understandable that there was a little rust early, but he quickly shook it off and settled in to play what would turn out to be his best game of the season.

It was teddy bear toss night Friday and the local faithful got their chance to toss their stuffed animals late in the first period when Brendan Lamont scored his first of two goals on the night on a 5 on 3 powerplay as he banged home a loose puck at the side of the Victoria net.

The opening period saw the Express get three chances on the powerplay. Things would quickly be evened up in the second period as the Grizzlies got three powerplays of their own in the first 7 minutes of the period. The man advantages allowed the Grizzlies to test Krogfoss who really settled into the game in the second period.

15 minutes into the second period Brendan Lamont was awarded a penalty shot when he was slashed cutting to the net on a chance. On the free pass Lamont initially took his time then sped up crossing up Grizzlies netminder Michael Stiliadis and Lamont slid a backhand through the five hole for his second of the game and a 2-0 Express lead.

Victoria finally broke through in the final minute as Brett Gruber scored a powerplay goal in finishing off a two on one. The Grizzlies fired 19 shots on Krogfoss in the middle frame thanks in large part to nearly 10 minutes of powerplay time in the period.

Gruber added his second of the night again on the powerplay in the third period to erase a two goal Express lead.

Fast forward to the second overtime that had some memorable moments.

On a offensive zone faceoff Corey Mackin and Brett Supinski teamed up to go straight ahead on the draw then had a quick give and go 2 on 0 chance in front of the net and left everyone in disbelief when Supinski coudn't bury the chance on an open net.

At the other end Krogfoss put the final touches on a great 46 save performance with game saving stops off Kevin Massy and Cole Pickup in the final 90 seconds of the second over time.

Following the Pickup chance, there was an faceoff deep in the Express zone with 7 seconds left on the clock. The Express lined up defenceman Daniel Fritz to take the faceoff and on the drop of the puck he quickly fired the puck forward setting up a two on one with Mackin and Supinski with time left on the clock for a chance. And Supinski scored with less than a second remaining in the game burying a Corey Mackin rebound for the 3-2 Express victory.

It was overtime dramatics that had the feel of a playoff type victory.

There's one final game for the Express before the Christmas break Saturday night vs. the Prince George Spruce Kings.

EXPRESS TO PLAY FOR FRED PAGE CUP

It took until the third overtime to decide it, but the Express are off to the Fred Page Cup final for the 2nd time in franchise history as they defeated the Victoria Grizzlies 4-3.

The win improved the Express to 2-1 in the round robin semi final. Victoria is eliminated as their record fell to 0-3 and will not be able to catch either the Express or the Vernon Vipers who are 2-0.

It will be the Express and the Vernon Vipers to decide who will be the BCHL champion in 2014. The series will start Friday April 11th in Vernon.

Marc Biega, Canon Pieper scored in the first two periods for the Express. Ryan Rosenthal scored with 1 minute remaining in the third period to send the game to overtime.

Daniel Lange was credited with the triple overtime winner tipping a Marc Biega shot.

The Fitzgerald triplets scored all three goals for Victoria on this night. Myles and Gerry scored in the first period. Leo scored in the third period. The three of them scored 5 of the 6 goals in the two games between the Express and Victoria in the round robin.

Canon Pieper had a chance to end it in the first overtime but was stopped on a penalty shot by Alec Dillion.

The Express also killed off a 5 minute major penalty assessed to Joey Santucci in the first overtime.

Gordie Defiel had another great night in the Express crease. He finished with 58 saves on the night. Including 31 in 46:51 of overtime.

This is the second visit to the Fred Page Cup final for the Express. They defeated the Penticton Vees in 6 games in 2006 when the franchise was located in Burnaby.

EXPRESS DOUBLE UP ON GRIZZLIES

The Coquitlam Express picked up their first win of the BCHL semi final round robin doubling Victoria 6-3.

The win improves the Express to 1-1 in the round robin. Victoria meanwhile is still searching their first win at 0-2. 

Cole Pickup got things rolling for Victoria scoring on a breakaway at 2:55 to open the scoring. 

The lead only lasted just over 3 minutes as the much maligned Express powerplay struck as Ryan Rosenthal got enough of a stick on a Corey Mackin pass and scored to tie the game at 1. It was just the 4^th powerplay goal for the Express in their 14^th playoff game. 

Victoria took their second lead of the night and it was the dangerous trio of the Fitzgerald triplets teaming up on the powerplay. Leo banged home the rebound of a shot for a 2-1 Grizzlies lead just 1:26 into the second period. Myles and Gerry drew the assists. 

Rosenthal scored his second of the night chipping it past Nic Renyard to even things at two with just over 5 minutes remaining in the second period. 

Victoria had the edge in play through two periods with a 23-12 edge in shots. But the Express have shown to be a very dangerous third period team during the post-season.

They kept that up Tuesday. Bo Pieper gave the Express their first lead of the night when he kept the puck on a 2 on 1 break and snap it past the glove of Renyard. Bo struck again 90 seconds later as from the corner he was able to bounce a puck in off the leg of Renyard for a two goal Express lead. 

Entering Tuesday, the Express needed to get more production from Adam Rockwood and Corey Mackin to help take some pressure off their linemate and captain Rosenthal. 

The two 18 year old forwards certainly rose to the occasion. Rockwood finished with 4 assists. Mackin had 1 goal and 2 assists. He scored the 5^th Express goal on the powerplay for a 5-2 lead. Entering Tuesday Mackin had just 1 goal in the playoffs. And he hadn't scored since game 5 vs. Prince George. 

Zach Hodder scored the 4^th goal for the Express off the third period for a 6-2 lead at 14:39. 

Rockwood and Rosenthal picked up the helpers to cap off their big nights. The Express top line combined for 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points between the three of them. 

Gerry Fitzgerald rounded out the scoring with a powerplay goal with 2:06 remaining. Both teams finished 2 for 3 on the powerplay. 

Containing the Fitzgerald's was high on the to do list for the Express Tuesday. They did strike for a pair of goals on the powerplay. but you can give the line of Jace Hennig, Joey Santucci and Brendan Lamont a passing grade for checking them very closely at 5 on 5. 

Tuesday's win painted a very clear picture for the Express if they want to play for the Fred Page Cup. A win Thursday in Victoria for the Express would send them to the Fred Page Cup final for the second time in franchise history. The Express hope the third time in these playoffs is the charm when it comes to going on the road and being able to win and advance. 

ROUND 3 SCHEDULE

The Express have a well earned week of rest after two six game series wins over the Prince George Spruce Kings and Langley Rivermen to win the 2014 Mainland division playoff championship.

They will use that much needed time off to heal any bumps and bruises that have accumulated over the course of 12 games in 18 days. Which also included the grind of a the 6 game series with Prince George that saw lengthy bus trips back and forth from Coquitlam to Prince George.

In the third round the Express will play the Island division champion Victoria Grizzlies who eliminated Powell River in 6 games. And the Interior division champion and RBC Cup hosts the Vernon Vipers who needed a 3-1 third period come back and an overtime goal from Michael McNicholas to keep their dream alive of coming through the front door of the tournament they're hosting in May.

Each team is scheduled to play each other once home and once away. The top two teams will advance to the Fred Page Cup to play for the BCHL championship.

Here's the full schedule for the third round. Express games are in bold.

March 28, 7:15pm	(2) Vernon @ (1) Victoria	Q-Centre
March 30, 7:00pm	(3) Coquitlam @ (2) Vernon	Kal Tire Place
April 1, 7:00pm	(1) Victoria @ (3) Coquitlam	Porier Sports and Leisure Centre
April, 3, 7:15pm	(3) Coquitlam @ (1) Victoria	Q-Centre
April, 5 7:00pm	(1) Victoria @ (2) Vernon	Kal Tire Centre
April 7, 7:00pm	(2) Vernon @ (3) Coquitlam *If Necessary	Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre
04/09/14	Tie-Breaker game if necessary	TBA

EXPRESS 2014 MAINLAND DIVISION PLAYOFF CHAMPIONS

Express and Rivermen shake hands following 5-3 Express game 6 win.

Express salute fans after winning Mainland final in 6 over Langley Rivermen.

The Express have punched their ticket to the third round of the playoffs with a 5-3 win over the Langley Rivermen eliminating the BCHL's top regular season team in 6 games.

Coquitlam didn't want to see this series be left in the hands of an anything can happen game 7 in Langley Saturday night.

They started like a team trying to make sure it ended Friday.

Ryan Rosenthal who was re-united with his regular line mates Corey Mackin and Adam Rockwood blasted home a pass after Rockwood and Mackin teamed up to win the battle for the puck behind the Rivermen net.

The Express captain scored in 5 of the 6 games of the series. Including in the final 3. He also had 2 assists for 7 points in the second round.

Just over a minute later Langley's captain responded as Mitch McLain blasted home a one timer on a feed from Tanner Johnson to even up the game at one.

Brendan Lamont scored his first goal of the playoffs when he tipped home a Cam Marks point shot after Lamont and the Pieper brothers teamed up to win a puck battle along the boards.

Gordie Defiel turned aside 30 shots for his 8th win of the playoffs. He had a key stop in the final seconds off the first period off Will Cook.

Langley started the second period on the power play and just 30 seconds into it Cook scored his 3rd goal in 4 games since returning to the line up to tie it at two.

That was followed less than 5 minutes later on another power play goal off the stick of Tanner Johnson who rang one in off the post for his second goal in as many outings.

The third period began with the Rivermen needing to play 20 good minutes to save their season. But they ran into an Express team determined to end it.

A few good shifts in the Langley zone quickly built momentum. The Express broke through at 1:52 as Jace Hennig going to the net scored after Cody Boyd threw the puck at the goal. It was the first point of the series for Hennig who waited for the perfect time to get it.

They rode that momentum throughout the course of the third period. The chances for the Express soon followed.

Another won puck battle along the boards was instrumental in getting the series win for the Express.

The Pieper brothers got the puck back to Marks, and like he did on Lamont's goal he threw it at the net and Canon scored on a tip for a 4-3 Express lead with just under 7 to play.

The two goals set up by Marks were a great example of just finding a way to just throw the puck at the net and hope good things will happen. It doesn't always have to be a hard shot.

Now it was about rolling the lines, keeping the shifts short and let the clock do the work.

The Express got the insurance they needed as Adam Rockwood and Corey Mackin teamed up to set up a pinching Zach Hodder who scored his 3rd goal of the series with 2:29 remaining to clinch the series win for the Express.

The third round will have a different playoff format. It will be a round robin that will see the Express play one home and one away game against both Victoria and either Penticton or Vernon. The top two teams after the round robin based on points will play for the Fred Page Cup and the BCHL championship.

It's the second time in Express franchise history they have advanced to the third round. In 2006 the Express met the then named Victoria Salsa eliminating them in 5 games. The Express will see Victoria again after they eliminated Powell River in 6 games.  Vernon and Penticton will crown the Interior division champion in game 7 in Penticton Saturday night.

Victoria will be the first seed, Vernon or Penticton will be the second seeed. And the Express will be the third seed based on the regular season standings.

They will start the third round on Sunday March 30th in either Penticton or Vernon.

EXPRESS HAVE BETTER EFFORT BUT STILL FALL TO VICTORIA

The Coquitlam Express were better Sunday afternoon vs. Victoria than they were the night before in Chilliwack. But still found themselves on the losing end falling 4-3 to the Grizzlies.

Former Express Garrett Forster had an afternoon to remember with two goals and an assist against his former mates.

Forster had a hand in opening the scoring as he slid a pass to Joel Gaudet who re-directed it past Gordie Defiel at 2:51.

Ryan Rosenthal had the best chance for the Express to tie it as he poked the puck past Victoria net minder Alec Dillon and had a wide open net but missed.

Marc Biega pulled the Express even with 3 minutes left in the third period as he blasted home a rolling puck from the circle for his 3rd goal in his last 4 games.

Victoria opened the second period with 4 minutes of power play time as Nic Rasovic was assessed a double minor penalty for high sticking Garrett Forster.

On that power play the former Express continued his big afternoon as he scored with a wrist shot through the legs of Defiel just 46 seconds in.

The Express began to really take control of the game as the second period carried on. At the same time Grizzlies net minder Alec Dillion also began to become a factor. He turned aside 12 of the 13 second period shots sent his way. The only puck to get past him was a pass by Canon Pieper intended for his brother Bo but it hit the leg of a Victoria defender and went in.

Like the second period, the third saw Victoria open the period on the power play. Again it was Forster making the Express pay as a shot from the point bounced to him on the left wing and he snapped it home 55 seconds into the third for his second of the game. Victoria finished 2 for 7 on the power play while killing off both Express advantages.

Jay Mackie gave Victoria some insurance with less than 8 minutes to go as he took a pass from behind the net from Myles Fitzgerald and snapped it through the legs of Defiel.

Corey Mackin made things interesting pulling the Express within one with just over 2 minutes to go, but Victoria would hold on to post their 4th straight win and complete a 3 game sweep of a Mainland division road trip.

The Express went 1-2 in their three games this weekend. Up next is a home and home with the Penticton Vees next weekend.