Highlights from the Chiefs 4-1 win over the Express Wednesday.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
CHIEFS POWER PAST EXPRESS
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| Jordan Schulting & Tommy Lee - Photo courtesy of Garrett James |
Two of those goals came in the third period as the Chiefs put the clamp on the Express in the final period that saw them strike three times.
For the Express it was a night where they had very little puck luck to convert some of their best scoring chances throughout the game.
Among the best chances for the Express in the first period, Colby Pederson couldn't jam in a loose puck on the goal line with Chiefs netminder Mathieu Caron lying on his back in the crease. Seconds later Caron then made a glove save off Express captain Alex Ambrosio.
Chilliwack's footspeed lead to the Express being forced to take penalties in the opening period. On the Chiefs second power play of the night Tommy Lee buried the rebound of a Corey Andonovski one timer from the slot to open the scoring. That would be the lone goal of a first period that saw Chilliwack outshoot the Express 17-8.
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| Reid Cooper faced 48 shots - Photo courtesy of Garrett James |
Eric Linell had a shot from the right wing that went through the pads of Caron but just missed the far post. A similar looking chance for Linell resulted in a scramble in the Chiefs crease and the Express couldn't bury the opportunity.
The Express hardwork resulted in them outshooting the Chiefs 15-13 in the period.
In the opening moments of the 3rd period a soft D to D pass behind the net was picked off and it was fed back to Matt Slick who beat Reid Cooper for a 2-0 Chilliwack lead.
That goal got Chilliwack back on their game who were without Head Coach Jason Tatarnic who was serving a one game suspension along with Jake Gresh for an illegal equipment infraction in their last game vs. Trail.
Will Lawrence gave the Express hope of a comeback scoring his first of the year with a quick shot over the shoulder of Caron for his 1st of the year at 2:47.
Will Caverley tipped home a Tommy Lee one timer for a 3-1 Chiefs lead with Haydn Delorme in the box serving a double minor for high sticking.
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| Lucas Wong - Photo courtesy of Garrett James |
The Chiefs capped off a strong night on the power play on a goal by Regan Kimens with 17 seconds left in the third period. Chilliwack finished 3 for 4 on the power play.
The shots finished 48-28 in favour of the Chiefs who outshot the Express 18-5 in a strong third period.
Up next for the Express is a Friday home game with Langley. Then they visit Chilliwack on Saturday night.
Sunday, October 8, 2017
COOPER STANDS TALL AGAIN AS RIVERMEN WIN IN FINAL MINUTE
Reid Cooper had his second straight stellar outing for the Express. But the finish was different this time around as the Langley Rivermen defeated the Express 3-2 thanks to a Angus Crookshank last minute goal.
Cooper made 37 saves was the sole reason this game went down to the wire and the Express nearly came out of the weekend with at least three points vs. Langley.
The first half of the game was the Reid Cooper show. He was peppered with 18 shots in the first period. The Rivermen were the faster team and it lead to numerous quality chances. But Cooper was proving he was as sharp Saturday as he was the night before.
What stands out watching Cooper is his ability to control his rebounds and keep them close enough to quickly pounce on them all while fighting through Langley traffic.
It was more of the same for Cooper in the second period. At the other end the Express started to generate some chances. Aidan Wagner who two great chances on the backhand and couldn't finish either of them.
Late in the second period Langley finally broke through on Cooper while shorthanded. Sam Kozlowski was knocked to the ice allowing the Rivermen to get the puck in the Express end. Moments later Trevor Ayre beat Cooper on a wraparound to open the scoring at 15:14.
Then came some controversy. With the Express on the power play Jordan Schulting fired a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced down and may or may not have gone in the net. The goal light was turned on, the Express bench thought it was a goal. But it remained a 1-0 Langley lead after two periods.
The Express entered the period only down a goal despite a 34-10 shot advantage for Langley.
Captain Alex Ambrosio pulled the Express even just 35 seconds into the period on his 4th of the season.
The third period saw the game settle into a tight struggle once the Express had tied it.
Ethan Leye broke the deadlock exactly 11 minutes later as he snuck a wrist shot from the left wing through Reid Cooper.
If we have learned anything about this Express team this week is that they have some resiliancy in the room.
Less than 90 seconds later Riley Johnson chipped a Sam Kozlowski pass over the glove of Braedon Fleming to tie the game at two.
In the dying seconds Brendan Budy fed the puck back to Carter Stephenson whose shot was stopped by Cooper, but a rebound squirted to Angus Crookshank who scored with 16.7 seconds left in the third period for what would turn out to be the game winning goal.
Despite the setback for the Express everyone in the building post game was speaking very highly about Reid Cooper's strong play. In the home and home with Langley this weekend he turned aside 79 of the 83 Langley shots sent his way.
Up next the Express host Chilliwack on Wednesday.
Cooper made 37 saves was the sole reason this game went down to the wire and the Express nearly came out of the weekend with at least three points vs. Langley.
The first half of the game was the Reid Cooper show. He was peppered with 18 shots in the first period. The Rivermen were the faster team and it lead to numerous quality chances. But Cooper was proving he was as sharp Saturday as he was the night before.
What stands out watching Cooper is his ability to control his rebounds and keep them close enough to quickly pounce on them all while fighting through Langley traffic.
It was more of the same for Cooper in the second period. At the other end the Express started to generate some chances. Aidan Wagner who two great chances on the backhand and couldn't finish either of them.
Late in the second period Langley finally broke through on Cooper while shorthanded. Sam Kozlowski was knocked to the ice allowing the Rivermen to get the puck in the Express end. Moments later Trevor Ayre beat Cooper on a wraparound to open the scoring at 15:14.
Then came some controversy. With the Express on the power play Jordan Schulting fired a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced down and may or may not have gone in the net. The goal light was turned on, the Express bench thought it was a goal. But it remained a 1-0 Langley lead after two periods.
The Express entered the period only down a goal despite a 34-10 shot advantage for Langley.
Captain Alex Ambrosio pulled the Express even just 35 seconds into the period on his 4th of the season.
The third period saw the game settle into a tight struggle once the Express had tied it.
Ethan Leye broke the deadlock exactly 11 minutes later as he snuck a wrist shot from the left wing through Reid Cooper.
If we have learned anything about this Express team this week is that they have some resiliancy in the room.
Less than 90 seconds later Riley Johnson chipped a Sam Kozlowski pass over the glove of Braedon Fleming to tie the game at two.
In the dying seconds Brendan Budy fed the puck back to Carter Stephenson whose shot was stopped by Cooper, but a rebound squirted to Angus Crookshank who scored with 16.7 seconds left in the third period for what would turn out to be the game winning goal.
Despite the setback for the Express everyone in the building post game was speaking very highly about Reid Cooper's strong play. In the home and home with Langley this weekend he turned aside 79 of the 83 Langley shots sent his way.
Up next the Express host Chilliwack on Wednesday.
Friday, October 6, 2017
COOPER STELLAR IN EXPRESS WIN OVER RIVERMEN
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| All smiles in a 2-1 win over Langley - Photo courtesy of Garrett James |
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| Reid Cooper - Photo courtesy of Garrett James |
Little mistakes in the defensive zone have resulted in pucks ending up in the Express net which has cost them games this season. That can't be said on Friday night. Their structure combined with Cooper's strong play led to the victory for the Express.
In the first period the Express had a number of good chances to open the scoring. Alex Ambrsio chipped a puck just wide of the Langley net, Troy Robillard hit the post on the power play, and both Riley Johnson and Colby Pederson couldn't finish odd man rushes.
At the other end Reid Cooper set the tone for a strong night. First he stopped Angus Crookshank on a breakaway. Then moments later he made his best save of the night reaching back to deny Crookshank in the dying seconds of a Langley power play.
Jake Brien opened the scoring for the Express jumping into the rush and snapping a Eric Linell pass by Braedon Fleming at 19:33.
Cooper was dialed in all night long in the Express crease. He was seeing the puck well giving up very few second chances. Most notably when he made 15 second period saves.
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| Colby Pederson scores the GWG - Photo courtesy of Garrett James |
Enterting the third period the Express needed to work hard on doing the little things well shift in and shift out to protect their one goal lead. From an entertainment standpoint it wasn't overly exciting. But it was very effective as the Express sat back in their structure.
Langley finally caught a break to get a puck past Cooper. John Wojciechowski's shot from a sharp angle handcuffed Cooper and bounced in to tie the game.
The Express didn't allow that goal to discourage them. They went right back to work and Colby Pederson going hard to the net buried the rebound of a Riley Johnson shot to re-store the Express lead just 37 seconds later at 14;39.
From there the Express clamped down and held on the rest of the way.
The re-match goes Saturday night in Langley.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
DRAMATIC FINISH SEES EXPRESS FALL IN OT TO WEST KELOWNA
The Express had a dramatic comeback in the final minute of the third period, but still fell by a score of 5-4 in overtime to the West Kelowna Warriors. Click here for boxscore
It was a valiant effort from the Express that showed character that fell just short at the end of the night.
It was the second meeting in two weeks between the Express and Warriors. The first meeting was a 7-2 decision for West Kelowna at the BCHL showcase. It was a different type game this time around.
The Express had their chances to open the scoring. Most notably Eric Linell had two good chances as he found himself alone behind the Warriors defense but couldn't get any of his two shots past the sprawled out pad of Warriors goaltender Nik Amundrud.
Cavin Tilsey opened the scoring for the Warriors. He converted a pass by Bennett Norlin past Reid Cooper for the only goal of the first period.
Midway through the second period the Warriors appeared to add to their lead. RJ Murphy pounced on a loose puck in the Express crease and poked it home. But after some discussion by the officials they ruled the net was knocked off.
Murphy only had two wait 40 seconds for his measure of revenge as he buried the rebound of a Willie Reim wrist shot to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead.
Captain Alex Ambrosio started the comeback for the Express two minutes later pouncing on Troy Robillard's point shot for a 2-1 Warriors lead through two periods.
Head Coach Barry Wolff has emphasized tightening up turnovers in key spots of the ice in the defensive zone that has lead to opposition goals this season.
Another turnover just inside the Express line allowed the Warriors to get the puck to Chase Dubois behind the Express defense and he outwaited Reid Cooper sliding home a backhand for a 3-1 Warriors lead.
Credit to the Express on this night for never giving up. Josh Wildauer buried the rebound of a Alex Ambrosio shot to make it a 3-2 game with 6:35 to go.
The Express had a glorious chance to tie the game. Amundrud ended up out near the ringette line as he raced to cover a loose puck. The Express poked it past him and two forwards somehow couldn't put the puck in the net vacated by the Warriors goaltender.
West Kelowna captain Jared Marino appeared to seal the victory with 1:18 remaining in the third period with a shot that just squeaked through Reid Cooper to make it 4-2.
That goal could have deflated any team that had just one win in their first eight games. But the Express have kept most of their games close and haven't been far off in most of them.
Jordan Schulting blasted a one timer for his second of the season with 56 seconds left in the third period to make it 4-3. That was followed 27 seconds later by a goal from Eric Linell digging the puck out of a scramble and scoring to send the game to overtime.
In 4 on 4 overtime it never really opened up for either side and create many scoring chances. As the Warriors had done most of the night they were patient working the puck in the Express zone hoping for a breakdown.
Cavin Tilsey found some room and used to gain entry in the Express zone. His shot hit the glass but the rebound bounced to the side of the Express net for Bennett Norlin who scored the game winner at 4:15.
The Express didn't do themselves any favours by going 0 for 7 on the power play against a Warriors team that has now killed off 31 straight shorthanded situations. From a discipline standpoint the Express did a pretty good job only giving West Kelowna a brief first period power play.
West Kelowna outshot the Express 46-36.
Up next for the Express is a home and home with Langley starting Friday in Coquitlam.
It was a valiant effort from the Express that showed character that fell just short at the end of the night.
It was the second meeting in two weeks between the Express and Warriors. The first meeting was a 7-2 decision for West Kelowna at the BCHL showcase. It was a different type game this time around.
The Express had their chances to open the scoring. Most notably Eric Linell had two good chances as he found himself alone behind the Warriors defense but couldn't get any of his two shots past the sprawled out pad of Warriors goaltender Nik Amundrud.
Cavin Tilsey opened the scoring for the Warriors. He converted a pass by Bennett Norlin past Reid Cooper for the only goal of the first period.
Midway through the second period the Warriors appeared to add to their lead. RJ Murphy pounced on a loose puck in the Express crease and poked it home. But after some discussion by the officials they ruled the net was knocked off.
Murphy only had two wait 40 seconds for his measure of revenge as he buried the rebound of a Willie Reim wrist shot to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead.
Captain Alex Ambrosio started the comeback for the Express two minutes later pouncing on Troy Robillard's point shot for a 2-1 Warriors lead through two periods.
Head Coach Barry Wolff has emphasized tightening up turnovers in key spots of the ice in the defensive zone that has lead to opposition goals this season.
Another turnover just inside the Express line allowed the Warriors to get the puck to Chase Dubois behind the Express defense and he outwaited Reid Cooper sliding home a backhand for a 3-1 Warriors lead.
Credit to the Express on this night for never giving up. Josh Wildauer buried the rebound of a Alex Ambrosio shot to make it a 3-2 game with 6:35 to go.
The Express had a glorious chance to tie the game. Amundrud ended up out near the ringette line as he raced to cover a loose puck. The Express poked it past him and two forwards somehow couldn't put the puck in the net vacated by the Warriors goaltender.
West Kelowna captain Jared Marino appeared to seal the victory with 1:18 remaining in the third period with a shot that just squeaked through Reid Cooper to make it 4-2.
That goal could have deflated any team that had just one win in their first eight games. But the Express have kept most of their games close and haven't been far off in most of them.
Jordan Schulting blasted a one timer for his second of the season with 56 seconds left in the third period to make it 4-3. That was followed 27 seconds later by a goal from Eric Linell digging the puck out of a scramble and scoring to send the game to overtime.
In 4 on 4 overtime it never really opened up for either side and create many scoring chances. As the Warriors had done most of the night they were patient working the puck in the Express zone hoping for a breakdown.
Cavin Tilsey found some room and used to gain entry in the Express zone. His shot hit the glass but the rebound bounced to the side of the Express net for Bennett Norlin who scored the game winner at 4:15.
The Express didn't do themselves any favours by going 0 for 7 on the power play against a Warriors team that has now killed off 31 straight shorthanded situations. From a discipline standpoint the Express did a pretty good job only giving West Kelowna a brief first period power play.
West Kelowna outshot the Express 46-36.
Up next for the Express is a home and home with Langley starting Friday in Coquitlam.
Saturday, September 30, 2017
SPRUCE KINGS SPOIL EXPRESS HOME OPENER
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| Reid Cooper made 47 saves - Photo courtesy of Damon James |
Reid Cooper stood tall in the Express crease with 47 saves on 51 shots sent his way.
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| Colby Pederson - Photo courtesy of Damon James |
In the second period breakdowns led to the Spruce Kings adding to their lead. Ben Poisson finished off a 2 on 1 to for a 2-0 lead. That was followed 1:26 later by a goal from Corey Cunningham burying the rebound of a Ryan Stack shot for a 3-0 lead by the 3 minute mark of the second period.
Down 3-0 the Express power play clawed them back into the game. First Jordan Schulting jumped in from the point and found a loose puck and scored his first of the season make it a 3-1 game at 15:14. Then 2:32 later Mitch Newsome's one timer missed the net but the rebound bounced to Christian Sanda who buried his 3rd of the season at 17:46.
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| J. Schulting had 1 goal & 1 assist - Photo courtesy of Damon James |
Mitch Newsome scored with just 4 minutes remaining for his first of the season to pull the Express within one. Newsome finished with 1 goal and 1 assist.
But like last night in Salmon Arm a late third period penalty cut into the time the Express could have used to push for the equalizer.
In the final minute goaltender Reid Cooper was pulled for the extra attacker. But before the Express could get control of the puck it was fired up to Ben Brar who hit the empty net to seal the win for Prince George.
The final shots finished 52-21 for the Spruce Kings. The Express went 2 for 5 on the power play while killing of all 5 Spruce Kings powerplays.
The Express will seek their first win of the season Sunday afternoon vs. the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
SILVERBACKS 5 EXPRESS 3
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks broke a brief 3-3 third period tie en route to a 5-3 win over their Express expansion cousins. Click here for boxscore
The setback keeps the Express in search of their first win of the season through six games. (0-5-1-0)
Clay Stevenson got the call for the Express between the pipes. He was tested early on as the Silverbacks opened the game with a 5-0 advantage in shots. The line of Mason Mitchell, Justin Wilson and Grayson Constable used their size and speed were giving the Express trouble keeping up with them in their zone. Eventually Constable found the puck in the slot and he scored to open the scoring at 4:05.
The Express were seeking their power play to find some production following their 4-2 loss at the showcase to Victoria.
It came through on Friday. Sam Kozlowski potted his third of the season on the power play with a Jordan Schulting pass hitting a skate and coming right to Kozlowski who blasted it home to tie the game at one.
Salmon Arm restored their lead late in the first period when Noah Wakeford found a loose puck in the Express crease and swatted it home for his first BCHL goal.
Clay Stevenson's best work came in the second period. He stopped Rhett Kingston on a breakaway.
The only puck to beat Stevenson in the period was due to an unfortunate break. Trevor Adams from the blueline fired a wrist shot that Express defenseman Doug Scott tried to block with his glove. He only got a piece of it and the puck slipped past Stevenson's left as he was sliding to his right.
Then Stevenson rose to the occasion to keep his team in the game when the Express got themselves into penalty trouble giving the Silverbacks a two man advantage for 1:26. Kingston had a chance for redemption when he was set up for a one timer, but he was robbed by Stevenson who made his best save of the night with his left pad.
Alex Ambrosio was guilty of the second penalty putting the Express down two men. The captain redeemed himself with the Express on a power play blasting home a one timer from the right circle to cut the Silverbacks lead to 3-2.
Jack Graham, Riley Johnson and Christian Rosa saw limited ice time for the Express. Early in the third they teamed up to pull the Express even. Johnson found Rosa alone at the edge of the crease for Bosa's second of the season to tie the game at 3.
The tie only lasted two minutes, Logan Mostat scored a power play goal to give Salmon Arm a 4-3 lead. The Express argued the puck was contacted with a high stick after Austin Chorney's point shot went air bourne. A brief discussion by the referees allowed the goal to stand. Despite the setback, Stevenson had a strong outing in the Express crease with a heavy barrage of shots to keep his team within striking distance.
Nice Tallarico faced 21 shots in the Silverbacks crease. His best save in the third period came off Christian Sanda on a two on one as the Express looked for the equalizer.
Rhett Kingston sealed the game for the Silverbacks with an empty net goal in the final minute.
Salmon Arm outshot the Express 46-21.
The Express finally play their home opener Saturday night vs. the Prince George Spruce Kings.
The setback keeps the Express in search of their first win of the season through six games. (0-5-1-0)
Clay Stevenson got the call for the Express between the pipes. He was tested early on as the Silverbacks opened the game with a 5-0 advantage in shots. The line of Mason Mitchell, Justin Wilson and Grayson Constable used their size and speed were giving the Express trouble keeping up with them in their zone. Eventually Constable found the puck in the slot and he scored to open the scoring at 4:05.
The Express were seeking their power play to find some production following their 4-2 loss at the showcase to Victoria.
It came through on Friday. Sam Kozlowski potted his third of the season on the power play with a Jordan Schulting pass hitting a skate and coming right to Kozlowski who blasted it home to tie the game at one.
Salmon Arm restored their lead late in the first period when Noah Wakeford found a loose puck in the Express crease and swatted it home for his first BCHL goal.
Clay Stevenson's best work came in the second period. He stopped Rhett Kingston on a breakaway.
The only puck to beat Stevenson in the period was due to an unfortunate break. Trevor Adams from the blueline fired a wrist shot that Express defenseman Doug Scott tried to block with his glove. He only got a piece of it and the puck slipped past Stevenson's left as he was sliding to his right.
Then Stevenson rose to the occasion to keep his team in the game when the Express got themselves into penalty trouble giving the Silverbacks a two man advantage for 1:26. Kingston had a chance for redemption when he was set up for a one timer, but he was robbed by Stevenson who made his best save of the night with his left pad.
Alex Ambrosio was guilty of the second penalty putting the Express down two men. The captain redeemed himself with the Express on a power play blasting home a one timer from the right circle to cut the Silverbacks lead to 3-2.
Jack Graham, Riley Johnson and Christian Rosa saw limited ice time for the Express. Early in the third they teamed up to pull the Express even. Johnson found Rosa alone at the edge of the crease for Bosa's second of the season to tie the game at 3.
The tie only lasted two minutes, Logan Mostat scored a power play goal to give Salmon Arm a 4-3 lead. The Express argued the puck was contacted with a high stick after Austin Chorney's point shot went air bourne. A brief discussion by the referees allowed the goal to stand. Despite the setback, Stevenson had a strong outing in the Express crease with a heavy barrage of shots to keep his team within striking distance.
Nice Tallarico faced 21 shots in the Silverbacks crease. His best save in the third period came off Christian Sanda on a two on one as the Express looked for the equalizer.
Rhett Kingston sealed the game for the Silverbacks with an empty net goal in the final minute.
Salmon Arm outshot the Express 46-21.
The Express finally play their home opener Saturday night vs. the Prince George Spruce Kings.
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