EXPRESS TAKE HOME OPENER VS. RIVERMEN

The Coquitlam Express improved to 3-0 on the young season with a 3-2 win over the Langley Rivermen at the home opener at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre.

Brady Shaw picked up his 2nd game winning goal of the season in the third period to put the Express in the lead for good.

Alexander Kerfoot made his season debut for the Express. And it didn't take long for the Harvard committed and New Jersey Devil draft pick to hit the score sheet as he and Zach Pryzbek teamed up to set up John Siemer for a powerplay goal to open the scoring for the Express at 5:10.

Less than a minute later the Rivermen pulled even as 16 year old Victor Dombrovsky was the first player to put a puck past Cole Huggins this season to tie the game at 1 just 54 seconds after Siemer's goal. Huggins had turned aside the first 80 shots sent his way to open the season after posting back to back shutouts last weekend vs. Victoria and Cowichan Valley.

The Express had good energy in the first period. And most of the time saw the Express on the powerplay as the Rivermen took 5 minor penalties in the opening 20 minutes.

Late in the period Langley was called for back to back Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties giving the Express a 5 on 3 advantage for more than 90 seconds. Malcom McKinney made Langley pay for the undisciplined play as he re-directed a pass through the legs of Darren Hogg to give the Express a 2-1 lead.

Hogg saw 20 Express shots sent his way in the first period alone. He was the main reason that the game remained close all game long. He was tough to beat throughout the course of the night as the Express sent plenty of rubber his way especially in the first two periods. He turned aside 33 of 35 shots he faced through 2 periods.

A number of his saves came off the numerous 2 on 1 breaks the Express were creating off of Langley turnovers.

Langley did pull even in the second period on a nice shot from the right wing by Trevor Cope as he snapped a shot low to the stick side past Cole Huggins.

In the final 40 minutes the powerplays began to even up. Langley had a 5 on 3 of their own in the third period for over a minute but couldn't take their first lead of the game. The Express penalty killing has been a bright spot begin the season. They killed off all 6 Langley powerplays and is a perfect 16 for 16 in the first 3 games to open the season.

Brady Shaw broke the deadlock 5 minutes into the third period as he converted a pass from behind the net from Kerfoot to put the Express up for good.

Siemer & Shaw (1G, 1A), Kerfoot (2A) each had 2 point nights for the Express.

Langley had one last chance in the dying seconds as Tyler Vanscourt had a chance from the left circle, but Huggins stared him down and kept it out to preserve the Express victory.

The Express are back in action looking to improve to 4-0 when they host the Alberni Valley Bulldogs next Friday. 

SHUFFLING THE DECK ON DEFENCE

The Coquitlam Express made a pair of moves on their defence on Tuesday.

They have acquired 18 year old defenceman Brett Seldon from the Surrey Eagles in exchange for future considerations.

They have also traded 19 year old defenceman Josh Finkelstein to the Wellington Dukes of the OJHL in exchange for future considerations.

The moves on the backend come on the heels of the Express losing 2nd year defenceman Jason Bird for an indefinite period of time with a shoulder injury suffered in the overtime of the Express' 1-0 win over the Victoria Grizzlies on Friday at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack.

Seldon has two years of Junior A experience under his belt having spent the last two seasons with the North York Rangers of the OJHL. The Thornhill Ontario native has 1 goal and 19 points in 88 games the last two seasons. He was an assistant captain with the Rangers last season.

He stands at 6'2 and weighs 205lbs.

Speaking with Head Coach Jon Calvano this evening, he likes the physical presence he will bring to the Express blueline and provide a presence in front of his own net.

Seldon initially came to BC as part of the trade this summer that saw the Surrey Eagles send the rights of Sean McGovern to the Rangers.

Finkelstein played 56 games for the Express last season scoring 2 goals and 9 points. He didn't dress for the Express this weekend in Chilliwack.

He will be heading to one of the top Junior A Programs in the OJHL and will play for Head Coach Marty Abrams.

The Express would like to thank Josh for his contributions and wish him the best of luck in Wellington.

Welcome to the Express Brett.

HUGGINS 1ST BCHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Cole Huggins made it a pretty easy decision for the BCHL when it came to handing out their first player of the week honor of the season. He posted back to back shutouts to open the season at the 2012 BCHL Showcase. He made 40 saves in a 1-0 win over Victoria Friday. Then followed that up with a 3-0 win over Cowichan Valley Sunday.

See the full press release from the BCHL below:

The BCHL has is pleased to announce Coquitlam Express goalie Cole Huggins is the first Player of the Week award recipient for the 2012-13 season for the week ending Sept. 9.

Huggins posted an unblemished recored at the BCHL Showcase as he turned aside 74 shots in two games including all 40 in a 1-0 overtime win agains the Victoria Grizzlies where he was named 2nd Star.

The Englewood, Colorado native followed that up with a 34-save effort in a 3-0 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals and was named 1st Star.

Honourable mentions this week go to: West Kelowna Warriors forward Max French (4G, hat trick vs. Salmon Arm, 2nd Star vs. Salmon Arm)

West Kelowna Warriors forward Brett MacKinnon (2G, 4A, 1st Star vs. Salmon Arm, 3rd Star vs. Surrey)

West Kelowna Warriors defenceman Adam Plant (1G, 2A, game-winner vs. Salmon Arm)

Prince George Spruce Kings forward Lyndon Martell (2G, 2A, overtime game-winner vs. Langley, 1st Star vs. Merritt) Prince George Spruce Kings forward Coltyn Hansen (3G, 1A, 2nd Star vs. Merritt)

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.