PERFECT SHOWCASE WEEKEND FOR EXPRESS

The Express went a perfect 4 for 4 in the point department and didn't allow a goal in the process at the 2012 BCHL showcase.

Cole Huggins posted his second consecutive shutout with a 34 save performance in the 3-0 Express win over the Cowican Valley Capitals Sunday. That comes on the heels of his 40 save shutout in the 1-0 overtime win over Victoria Friday.

Caps vs Express Highlights Sep 9 2012 by EddieGregory

The 20 year old's performance this weekend will certainly make him a candidate for the first BCHL player of the week honours of the season.

The Express got off to a fast start to the game rolling their lines and pressuring the Caps hard in their own zone. Their hard work was rewarded less than 3 minutes into the game as Mitchell Fyffe was sprung in full stride and he made no mistake finishing on a breakaway snapping a shot past the glove of Derek Dun. By the 12 minute mark of the first period the Express had opened up a 13-2 advantage in shots.

The Caps had an opportunity with the man advantage to pull even but couldn't capitalize. Shortly after the penalty the Express struck again off the rush and Zach Pryzbek made no mistake scoring his first BCHL goal beating Dun again to the glove side. 

Huggins made some of his best saves of the game in the second period. He denied Steven Iacobellis with a right pad save on a Caps powerplay. Huggins also got the best of Iacobellis on a penalty shot late in the second period. The Caps peppered the Express net with 14 shots in the second period.

Derek Dun kept his team in the game with a save off a Brady Shaw breakaway in the final minute of the second period.

Huggins made 10 more saves in the third period to finish off the goose egg. He now has 4 career shutouts with the Express which now pulls him even with Matthew Gordon (2005-07) for most by a goaltender in franchise history.

John Siemer rounded out the scoring with an empty net goal in the final minute of the third period.

The Langley Rivermen come to the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre for the Express home opener this Friday.

ONE IS ENOUGH FOR EXPRESS TO WIN SEASON OPENER

It wasn't the prettiest game, but what mattered is that the Express came away with the two points to open their 2012-13 season at the inaugural BCHL showcase in Chilliwack.

 Brady Shaw was the lone goal scorer in the game giving the Express a 1-0 overtime win over Victoria.

 Click below to hear Shaw's winner It was a goaltenders duel all game long between Cole Huggins of the Express and Brady Rouleau of the Grizzlies.

The Express had their chances in the opening minutes of the game to get a jump on Victoria but couldn't convert on back to back powerplays.

Victoria started to take over the play after killing off the two penalties and began to build a lead in shots. But Cole Huggins wouldn't crack after facing 12 Victoria shots. The Express managed only 4 shots on Rouleau in the opening 20 minutes.

The Fitzgerald triplets Myles, Leo and Gerry were dangerous all game long forcing the Express to chase them in their own zone.

The Express picked up their tempo and workload of Rouleau in the second period. One of the best chances they had came on the powerplay as rookie Cameron Marks was set up on a backdoor pass but he was robbed by Rouleau turning aside his one timer coming to his right.

Brady Shaw and John Siemer had some of the other good chances for the Express in the second period.

At the other end Huggins was steady as a rock turning aside each Victoria attack.

Late in the period saw the two captains Mitch Nardi and Zach Urban drop the gloves as Urban came to the defence one of the Fitzgerald triplets after he was hit by Nardi. Each player would receive 17 minutes in penalties.

The game entered the third period scoreless.

Both goaltenders held strong into the third period. Malcom McKinney had a great chance to break the ice as he split the Victoria defence and cut in on a breakaway, deked to his right but was denied by the left leg of Rouleau.

Late in the third period each team had a chance with the man advantage. 2011 WHL Bantam 1st overall draft pick Matthew Barzal playing for the Express as an AP drew a powerplay with just under 5 minutes left in the 3rd. Then with just under 2 minutes remaining in the third, Jason Bird was sent off giving Victoria a powerplay to round out regulation. Like the Express,  Victoria couldn't break the ice. Both teams finished 0 for 5 on the powerplay.

60 minutes decided nothing without a single goal scored. In the first minute of OT it was decided. Mark Biega fired a great pass up to Brady Shaw who powered the puck through Rouleau on a breakaway and gave the Express a 1-0 win.

Cole Huggins finished with 40 saves for the shutout. His 3rd in his Express career. He was very steady all game long in the Express crease. His counterpart Brady Rouleau at the other end had a strong performance as well in a losing cause.

The Express will play their second game of the inaugural BCHL showcase Sunday afternoon vs. Cowichan Valley at 2PM.

THINGS TO KNOW FOR THE SEASON OPENER

With the Express ready to begin their 12th BCHL season tomorrow night in Chilliwack against Victoria to kick off the first annual BCHL Showcase. Here's a few things you need to know about this years team to help you get ready.

Here's a few notes about some of the new faces that will dress for the Express this season.

Defenceman Dillian Walker was acquired during the off-season from the Brantford Golden Eagles of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

He scored 7 goals and 38 assists for 45 points in 48 games. Numbers that were good enough to rank him 4th among blueliners in scoring in the GOJHL. He was named the Midwestern Conference player of the month in December.

Speaking with Head Coach Jon Calvano about Dillian, he likes the grit on the backend and the leadership he will bring to the Express this season.

Making the transition from Ontario to BC for Dillian is a little easier when one of his good friends is on the team. Captain Mitch Nardi.

Entering this season, one area the Express wanted to address when building the team this season was to have a little more grit in the forward group. And not compromise the collection of skill up and down the lineup.

That is something they feel they've done a good job at with a number of the the players they brought in this season.

Sam Majka and Will Cook are two of those players Coach Calvano will rely on to play that grit role. To compliment Brady Shaw, Zach Pryzbek and Mitch Nardi.

Majka played high school hockey last year season where he was the captain of his Wayzata team. He scored 17 goals and 37 points in 27 games. 6 of those goals were game winners.

He was teammates with former Penticton Vee Mario Lucia during the 2010-11 season.

Coach Calvano likes the size he will bring up front at 6'1 and the heavy shot he possess.

18 year old Will Cook played for the Elmira Sugar Kings of the GOJHL last season where he put up 16 goals and 39 points in 51 games.

Cook participated at a tournament in the spring among Junior A players and didn't look out of place where he finished as the tournaments top scorer.

The Port Stanley Ontario native stands 6'1 and Coach Calvano likes the size he will bring, his work along the wall and his knack around the net.

And last, but certainly not least, here's one of the more intriguing story lines for the Express entering this weekend.

2011 WHL Bantam Draft 1st overall pick Matthew Barzal will dress for the Express this weekend as an Affiliate Player. Barzal is a pick of the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Barzal did get some National exposure earlier this summer when he played in the All State All Canadians Camp. If you aren't sure what that is, i'm sure you will remember the commercials for the event leading up to it that aired on TSN. Taylor Hall and John Tavares were guest coaches. And the final aired on TSN.

That event brings together some of the top bantam aged players in Canada.

Barzal is a Burnaby native that appears to be weighing his options when it comes to deciding if he wants to go to the College route or the Major Junior route. The showcase this weekend is an event that is designed for a player like Barzal who will strut his stuff in front of plenty of college scouts.

So there's a little more information about the 2012-13 Coquitlam Express. Lets drop the puck and hope to see you at the rink this weekend in Chilliwack. Or at the home opener next Friday vs. Langley.

NARDI TO WEAR "C"

The Coquitlam Express are pleased to announce that second year forward Mitch Nardi will be the captain for the 2012-13 season.

The 19 year old Hamilton native scored 14 goals and 30 assists for 44 points in 56 games last season. Prior to this season, Nardi comitted to Lake Superior State for the fall of 2013.

Nardi's outgoing personality is a perfect fit for the role as team captain.

Mitch moves into the role as captain following in the footsteps of Coastal Conference MVP Alex Petan who is attending Michigan Tech University this fall.

He is complimented by a strong returning core of players that won 36 games last season. 9 players from last years Express team are returning for the 2012-13 season.

BCHL HIRES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The British Columbia Hockey League is pleased to announce the hiring of Trevor Alto as the league’s new executive director. Alto comes to the BCHL after six years in the financial industry. He is responsible for executing all league sponsor deliverables, generating new partnerships, heading the league’s finance committee and overseeing the day-to-day administration of the league office.

In addition, Alto is tasked with meeting the objectives of the BCHL Strategic Plan including building the BCHL brand and ensuring players advance in and beyond the BCHL. He will be responsible for applying the BCHL’s discipline regulations and will work with BCHL director of officiating Derek Adams to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the BCHL Officiating Program.

“I am excited to join the BCHL and take on the challenge of growing what is an already-solid league,” said Alto, 33. “As a former junior and university hockey player, I realize the opportunities hockey provides and am looking forward to ensuring those continue to be available for our current players.”

Alto played in the BCHL with Prince George Spruce Kings and the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves. The White Rock, B.C. native went on to play for the UBC Thunderbirds from 2000 to 2003 while he completed studies in sports management and commerce. While playing at UBC, he also appeared in the movie "Miracle" where he portrayed Team USA forward Neal Broten.

“We are pleased to have a person of Trevor’s calibre join the BCHL office,” said BCHL commissioner John Grisdale. “Trevor’s experiences in business and hockey will be a real asset to us as we continue to grow our league and provide opportunities for players and their families.”

TURRIS SIGNS LONG TERM WITH SENS

Express alumni Kyle Turris has signed a new long term contract extension with the Ottawa Senators.

See the full press release from the Senators here:

OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray announced today that the club has signed centre Kyle Turris to a five-year contract extension through the 2017-18 NHL season.

Turris, 23, recently completed his third full season in the National Hockey League and played 49 of his 55 regular season contests in 2011-12 as a member of the Senators. He was originally acquired by Ottawa from the Phoenix Coyotes on Dec. 17, 2011, in exchange for defenceman David Rundblad and a second-round draft pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

A native of New Westminster, B.C., Turris concluded the 2011-12 campaign having established new career highs in goals (12), assists (17), points (29) and penalty minutes (27). He recorded three points (one goal, two assists) and two penalty minutes while skating in each of Ottawa’s seven post-season contests against the New York Rangers. In 186 career NHL contests with Phoenix and Ottawa, he has recorded 75 points (31 goals, 44 assists) and 70 penalty minutes.

On April 18, Turris became the 13th player in franchise history to record a playoff overtime-winning goal, when he helped lift the Senators to a 3-2 win over the Rangers at Scotiabank Place in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final series.

Turris was Phoenix’s first-round pick (third overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

FIT TO BE TIED AGAIN

After opening the pre-season with a 2-2 in Chilliwack Saturday, the Express played to another draw Sunday in a 4-4 decision with the Surrey Eagles.

The powerplay was the story for the Express on the afternoon tallying all 4 of their markers. Connor Burke scored the only goal of the opening period to give the Express the 1-0 lead on a second chance opportunity.

Surrey pulled even in the second minute of the second period as Demico Hannoun stole the puck behind the net off goaltender Daniel Urbani and tucked it into the open net for a shorthanded goal.

The Express re-stored the lead with their second powerplay goal of the game as Cody Gordon from the slot re-directed a Mark Biega point shot past Brenden Sharp.

Cole Huggins took over for Urbani midway through the second period. Sharp played the full 60 minutes for the Eagles who played their 3rd exhibition game in as many days.

Sam Majka scored the 3rd powerplay goal of the game for the Express to put them up 3-1 at 12:39.

Surrey cut the deficit to one before the period was done as Nicolas Pierog buried a pass from behind the net by Brett Mulcahy at 17:06.

Brady Shaw capped off a strong game for the Express powerplay by tallying his teams 4th extra man goal from his office in front of the net off a rebound off the end boards of a Dillon Walker shot.

34 seconds after Shaw's goal Roshen Jaswal cut the lead back to one. Then Brett Mulcahy completed the come back for the Eagles at 13:22 to finish the scoring.

The Express finished 4/6 on the powerplay and killed off all 3 Surrey advantages. Through two periods the Express were out shooting the Eagles 28-19. I didn't catch the final shot total.

The pre season continues Monday at home vs. Langley.