EXPRESS NATIONALLY RANKED

The Canadian Junior Hockey League has released it's first rankings of teams across the country. After starting the season 4-0 and sitting at 4-1 through the first 3 weeks of the BCHL season the Express have made the cut sitting 11th. I may be wrong, but it might be the first time since the 2006 run to the Royal Bank Cup that the Express have been nationally ranked.

The defending RBC Cup champion Penticton Vees are ranked number 1. The other BCHL team on the list is the Victoria Grizzlies who are ranked 8th.

See the full release from the CJHL below:

The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting announced today its Inaugural Top 20 rankings for the 2012-2012 season. Last year’s final rankings and the leagues in which the teams belong to are in parenthesis.

The CJHL Inaugural Top 20 as of Monday, September 24th

 1. (1) Penticton Vees (BCHL)
2. (11) Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
3. (HM) Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners(MHL)
4. (3) Humboldt Broncos (SJHL)
5.  (12) Newmarket Hurricanes (OJHL)
6.  (NR) Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)
7.  (9) Portage Terriers (MJHL)
8. (NR) Victoria Grizzlies(BCHL)
9. (NR) Sudbury Nickel Barons(NOJHL)
10. (NR) Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
11. (NR) Coquitlam Express (BCHL) 
12. (NR) Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
13. (NR) Dryden Ice Dogs (SIJHL)
14. (NR) Pembroke Lumber Kings (CCHL)
15. (NR) Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)
16. (NR) Truro Bearcats(MHL)
17. (NR) College Francais de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ)
18. (NR) Carlton Place Canadians (CCHL)
19. (NR) Oakville Blades (OJHL)

Honourable mention goes to the Canmore Eagles (AJHL), Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL), OCN Blizzard (MJHL), North Bay Trappers (NOJHL) Toronto Lakeshore Patriots (OJHL).

The rankings are based upon a variety of factors which includes the league in which the teams belong to, this season’s results in regular season, last season’s playoffs, as well as initial recruiting efforts for the upcoming season. Best wishes to all as the quest begins for the RBC Cup in Summerside, PEI in May 2013.

The CJHL is an amalgamation of ten Junior A hockey leagues from across Canada. More information on the CJHL can be found by clicking on the league website. www.cjhlhockey.com

GRIZZLIES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Victoria's 2-1 win over the Express Sunday presented by Twist Conditioning.

 

 Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen

STILIAIDIS STEALS THE SHOW

The Coquitlam Express were handed their first loss of the season Sunday afternoon falling 2-1 to the Victoria Grizzlies thanks mainly to the play of Micheal Stiliadis.

He finished with 40 saves in the Victoria crease. 20 of them coming in the third period alone. The Express did everything they could but found the Victoria netminder very difficult to beat.

The Fitzgerald triplets Myles, Gerry and Leo sparked Victoria's offence in the first period. Gerry opened the scoring 7 minutes into the game as he carried the puck into the Express zone and wired a shot over the glove of Daniel Urbani who made his Express debut.

The trio struck again 7 minutes later. Leading up to the goal the Express were buzzing creating chances in the Victoria zone. The Grizzlies iced the puck and the triplets couldn't change. They won the ensuing faceoff and skated the puck to centre ice, instead of heading off on a change, Leo kept skating forward on the attack and wired a slap shot from the left wing post and in over the glove of Urbani to give Victoria a 2-0 lead. Myles and Gerry assisted on the goal.

The Express out shot Victoria 12-8 in the first period. It was the first time this season the Grizzlies were out shot in the opening 20 minutes.

Cole Huggins took over the Express crease to open the second period. It was at this point his team really started to take control of the game. Some of the best chances for the Express in the second period came off the sticks of Malcom McKinney and Justin Georgeson but couldn't find the twine.

Finally Will Cook did in the final seconds of the middle frame. He came down the right wing and snapped a shot low to the stick side on Stiliadis.

The third period started with a bang literally. Jace Henning for the Express and Victoria's David Walchuk were sent off for hits along the boards. Mitch Nardi got into his second scrap of the season vs. Victoria squaring off with Turner Lawson.

Then the Express went back to looking for the equalizer but it wasn't going to come. Saves by Stiliadis on John Siemer on a pair of occasions and Zach Pryzbek highlighted his 20 save third period performance.

In the final 2 periods the Express out shot Victoria 29-10. They finished the game out shooting Victoria 41-18. Quite simply it was a game where the goaltender got the best of everything the Express sent his way and you have to tip your hat when you see a performance like the one provided by Stiliadis.

The Express powerplay went 0 for 7. The penalty killing was strong again and remains perfect this season having killed off all 6 Victoria powerplays. And now is 26 for 26 to the start the season.

Surrey will pay a visit to Coquitlam next Friday. Then the Express will hit the Island visiting Victoria Saturday and Nanaimo on Sunday.

BULLDOGS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of the 6-2 Express win over Alberni Valley Friday.

 

Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

EXPRESS TRAIN ROLLS TO 4-0

The Express have their best 4 game start in franchise history after improving to 4-0 with a 6-2 win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Sunday.

Balanced scoring from the top weapons and a strong game on both side of the special teams paced the Express attack. And Cole Huggins had another solid game in between the pipes.

Cameron Marks got the offence rolling reading the play and jumping into the rush and cleaned up the rebound of a Mitch Nardi chance to bury his first BCHL goal at 7:24 of the first period.

The Express took their 1-0 lead into the second period. That's when the powerplay got up and running. Malcom McKinnney extended the Express lead 3:24 into the second period as he cut to the net and deked around Jay Deo before sliding the puck home for his second goal of the season and second in as many games.

Justin Georgeson extended the Express lead on their second powerplay of the game. He came off the left wall and wired a perfect shot over the glove of Jay Deo to give the Express a 3-0 lead.

The Bulldogs got one back before the period was done. A shot from the right wing was stopped by Huggins but the rebound was put into the slot where Nathan Craft pounced on it and snapped it home at 18:31.

Early in the third the Express restored their three goal lead with their third powerplay goal of the game. Zach Pryzbek from the slot tipped a Marc Biega point shot to put the Express up 4-1.

Just 14 seconds later however the lead was back down to two as Brandon Halls wired a slap shot that overpowered the glove of Huggins and found the back of the net to cut the score to 4-2.

Less than 4 minutes later Justin Georgeson capped off a 3 point night (2G, 1A) snapping home his second of the game from the left wing off the post and in past Jay Deo.

Brady Shaw rounded out the scoring in the final minute of the game as he was alone in front and was set up and slid the puck home for his 3rd goal of the season.

Multiple point nights were scattered all over the Express side of the scoresheet with 6 players posting multi point nights. Justin Georgeson (2G,1A), Brady Shaw and Malcom McKinney each (1G,1A), Marc Biega, Alex Kerfoot and Mitch Nardi each (2A).

The powerplay finished 3 for 4. And now has struck 5 times in the last two games. The penalty killing remains perfect after killing off all 4 Alberni Valley powerplays. And it's now 20 for 20 to start the season. The strong performance on both sides of the special teams was one of the key contributors to the Express success a year ago.

Cole Huggins made 34 saves on 36 shots to post his 4th win on the season.

The Express will look to improve to 5-0 when they host the Victoria Grizzlies Sunday afternoon.

RIVERMEN @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of the Express 3-2 win from their home opener vs. Langley Friday night.

 

 Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

2012-13 PLAYER INTRODUCTIONS

Here's the player introductions of the 2012-13 Coquitlam Express prior to their home opener Friday night. vs. Langley.

 

Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.