Highlights from the Express 8-1 win over Surrey Wednesday.
Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.
Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
EXPRESS ROLL OVER EAGLES
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| Jordan Schulting scored twice - Photo courtesy of Damon James |
The veterans certainly chipped in to the win. But the guys who get less of the headlines stole the show for their offensive contributions.
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| Nick Amsler had 2G, 1A Photo courtesy of Damon James |
Right from the start the Express played fast and with purpose. It didn't take long for them to get the rewards.
Josh Wildauer fired a hard rink wide pass to Colby Pederson who danced past an Eagles defenseman and scored a snap shot past Mario Cavaliere at 1:18. The Eagles goaltender came into the game as the reigning BCHL player of the week after posting back to back shutouts over Langley and Cowichan Valley and was already being given the nickname "Super Mario".
Then some of the kids started to leave their mark on the game. Lucas Wong raced after a puck deep in the Surrey zone and from behind their net put a perfect pass into the slot on the tape of Nick Amsler who looked like a pure goal scorer dropping to his knee and snapping home a one timer for his first BCHL goal at the 3:00 mark.
It was 3-0 Express at the 11 minute mark. Jordan Schulting showed good patience at the blueline and took an extra moment to wait for traffic and walk the line before snapping home a wrist shot for his 5th of the season.
The penalty killing has been one area that has really tightened up in the last few weeks. Tonight they had another perfect night killing off all 5 Eagles powerplays in the first 32 minutes of the game. The Express have now killed 30 straight shorthanded situations.
BCHL goal scoring leader John Wesley and his 31 goals was back in the Eagles lineup after not playing when these teams met Saturday. It was a frustrating night for the league's top sniper who got some chances throughout the game and was unable to finish.
After a Wesley chance at one end, the Express quickly turned the play the other way and Troy Robillard joined the rush and buried his 4th of the season for a 4-0 Express lead. Robillard also had an assist.
Surrey's lone goal of the night came 1:10 after Robillard's goal as Ty Westgard snapped home his 10th of the season past Brock Hamm. That would be the only goal to get past the Express netminder who was solid with 27 saves.
The Express poured it on in the third period. Eric Linell converted a set up from Devon Mussio for a 5-1 lead at 2:30.
Then mid third Nick Amsler found a loose puck in front of the Surrey net to bury his second goal of the night to make it 6-1.
Head Coach Jason Fortier recognizing how well some of his younger players were going, rewarded them with some third period power play time. They didn't let the coach down. Right off a won face-off in the Surrey zone Amsler set up Wong in the slot whose shot was tipped home in front of the net by Devon Mussio for his first BCHL goal. It was a long wait for the Express defenceman who was dressed for his 96th career BCHL game Wednesday night.
Then just over a minute later Jordan Schulting put the finishing touches on the game scoring his second of the net burying a loose puck that Will Lawerence in the slot. That goal chased Mario Cavaliere after 8 goals in 28 shots.
The Express return to action Friday night when they will host the Nanaimo Clippers. They will see Surrey again Saturday night in Surrey.
Monday, January 15, 2018
EXPRESS WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights from the Express weekend home games.
Saturday's 4-1 win over Surrey.
Saturday's 4-1 win over Surrey.
Sunday's meeting with Chilliwack.
Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.
Sunday, January 14, 2018
CHIEFS 5 EXPRESS 1
It was the 2nd meeting of the weekend between the two teams. They battled to a 2-2 tie Friday night in Chilliwack.
Sunday's game game was a much different story than Friday which saw the Express pepper the Chiefs with numerous top notch scoring chances. In this one the Express chances were few and far between.
The win saw Chilliwack finish the season series 7-0-1 against the Express. Their undefeated streak against the Express now stands at 28 games at 27-0-1 (regular season and playoffs)
In recent meetings between the teams the Chiefs put the Express in a first period hole. Sunday was no different.
Ryan Bowen set up Corey Andonovski who creeped behind Clay Stevenson for a tap in at 3:28. 8 minutes later Andonovski raced down the right wing and put a pass on the tape of Bryan Allbee and just like that it was 2-0 Chiefs.
Mathieu Caron had to be spectacular just to get the Chiefs a point on Friday. Today he made some more spectacular saves. Just no where near as many. His best of the first period stopped Jack Lippis on the rush, then Eric Linell on the rebound.The Chiefs outshot the Express 14-4 in the first period.
Kaden Pickering extended the Chiefs lead to 3-0 snapping a shot past the glove of Stevenson. That would the lone goal of the second period that saw the Chiefs outshoot the Express 10-3. Caron made another great save to deny Eric Linell on a 2 on 1 rush.
Pickering scored his second of the night 4 minutes into the third period racing into the Express zone on the right wing and snapping a shot past Stevenson.
Josh Wildauer broke Mathieu Caron's shutout bid with a power play goal at 11:34.
The game was iced in the dying moments on a empty net goal for Skyler Brind'Amour.
Chilliwack finished the game outshooting the Express 29-16.
The Express return to action Wednesday night when they host the Surrey Eagles.
Saturday, January 13, 2018
EXPRESS OUTPACE EAGLES
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| Jack MacNab scored his 1st two Express goals. Photo courtesy of Damon James. |
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| Brock Hamm made 17 saves - Photo courtesy of Damon James |
In the opening shift of the game there was some concern after a hit involving Josh Wildauer and Surrey defenseman Jackson Ross left the Eagles defenseman lying on the ice with a significant cut on his head. Fortunately for the Eagles blue liner he missed a few shifts after going to the room for repairs.
All night long both teams were moving their feet making for entertaining hockey to watch.
Jack MacNab opened the scoring on his first Express goal taking a pass from Josh Bruce and snapping it past Daniel Davidson at 16:05. For the Notre Dame committed forward it was his 3rd of the season.
Surrey had a two man advantage for over 50 seconds in the first period to pull even, but the Express didn't give Surrey much of a sniff. They posted their second straight perfect 4 for 4 night on the penalty kill.
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| Jonathan Sheardown - Photo courtesy of Damon James |
The second period saw the teams continue to play a track meet of the game, but after the first turn the Express started to distance themselves from their opponents. That speed led to good shifts in the Surrey zone.
Just shy of the 7 minute mark the Express doubled their lead on a Eric Linell deflection of a Troy Robillard for Linell's 21st of the season. The assists for Robillard was just the start of a strong game for him on the blueline.
At the other end, Brock Hamm was his usual solid self in the Express crease. He was getting some good support with the team playing at a high tempo in front of him.
Surrey's fourth power play of the night in the 3rd period didn't result in a goal. But they had good possession of the puck in the Express zone. They were able to carry that momentum when the play returned to 5 on 5. Moments later Jackson Ross surprised Brock Hamm with a quick wrist shot from the right point.
Then Hamm had to really be on his toes, a dump in the Express zone hit an official and caught Hamm out of the net and he raced back to his net and reached back with his stick and narrowly got a piece of the puck to keep it out of the net.
As the third period wound down the Express put the Eagles to bed. Colby Pederson raced into the Surrey zone then fed the puck back to Troy Robillard whose shot got to the net where Pederson followed it to bury the rebound for a 3-1 Express lead. Robillard picked up his 3rd assist of the night on the play. Since November 29th Robillard has not gone more than two games without a point. He has 2 goals and 10 assists for 12 points in his last 14 games.
The final shots finished 28-18 in favour of the Express. The 18 shots allowed is a season low. When the game was on the line in the 3rd period the Eagles were only held to three shots.
The Express will finish up a busy three game weekend with a Sunday afternoon meeting with the Chilliwack Chiefs at 2pm in Coquitlam.
EXPRESS @ CHIEFS HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights from the Express 2-2 tie in Chilliwack Friday night.
Play by play and highlights production by Eddie Gregory.
Play by play and highlights production by Eddie Gregory.
EXPRESS BATTLE CHIEFS TO TIE IN THRILLER
Chilliwack goaltender Mathieu Caron is the sole reason why the Express didn't snap their 26 game losing streak to the Chiefs. He made a number of top notch saves that prevented the Express from coming away with the win. Click here for boxscore
Express Head Coach Jason Fortier made things a little more interesting in his pre-game comments saying tonight was the night the Chiefs long run of success against the Express was coming to an end Friday night.
Right from the get go the Express were generating chances. First it was Sam Kozlowski setting up Josh Wildauer on the slot was who denied on a clean look on the Chiefs net.
Then it was Eric Linell on a jam play in the Chiefs crease who was stopped by Caron who got his left pad down to rob the Express top scorer.
At the other end Chilliwack was able to take advantage of Express mistakes in their own end.
PJ Marroco pounced on a loose puck in the Express zone and beat Brock Hamm with a wrist shot low to the far post.
Hamm returned to the Express crease for his first game since the Christmas break.
At the 15:00 mark of the first period another Express turnover deep in their zone resulted in a 2 on 1 down low and Corey Andonovski slid a pass across to the newly re-acquired Ryan Bowen who tapped the feed into the gaping cage for a 2-0 Chilliwack lead.
Chilliwack carried their two goal lead into the second period which didn't dissuade the Express. They started to turn the game in the middle frame. And the chances were coming fast and furious.
Christian Sanda had a great game in all areas for the Express. He was using his speed effectively to create chances, he was also doing little things right in the defensive zone.
Sanda got the Express on the board taking a pass from Lucas Wong and outwaiting a sprawled out Caron then ripping his 6th of the season over the Chiefs goaltender.
That goal was followed by chances from John Sheardown stopped by the pad of Caron off the rush, Colby Pederson was stopped on a tip play, Haydn Delorme was robbed all alone in front of the Chilliwack net by Caron's left pad, Sam Kozlowski hit the post, and Josh Bruce ripped a shot just past the top corner on a odd man rush.
All those chances coming in the second period alone. But the Express still came out of the frame trailing 2-1.
The Express opened the third period on the power play. Then a minute into the advantage Sam Kozlowski got his stick up on Tommy Lee. Originally Kozlowski was assessed a minor for high sticking. Then after some further pleading from Lee the call was then changed to a double minor. Credit to the Express who killed off the power play and finished the night a perfect 4 for 4 on the penalty kill.
One of the areas that Head Coach Jason Fortier has really emphasized since taking over behind the bench is skill development. He's put in a lot of effort in practice in the little details. Notably tips.
That work paid off for the Express on the tying goal. John Sheardown fired a shot from the blueline that was tipped home by Haydn Delorme through the pads of Caron to even the game at 2 at 5:41. And that is where things stood after 60 minutes.
As the third period wound down, Christian Sanda had two notable shot blocks with his stick in the defensive zone. The second one broke his twig while deflecting the puck out of play.
For the Express it was the first time they've been able to take a point off of Chilliwack since February 26, 2015 a 4-3 overtime loss in Coquitlam. Since that game Chilliwack had won 14 straight games over the Express in regulation.
It was also the first time March 1, 2014 that the Express had picked up a point of any kind in Chilliwack in regulation. They had won 14 regular season home games to the Express without conceding a point to the visitors.
The Express began the overtime with a 4 on 3 advantage for 1:52 with Matt Slick assessed a high sticking penalty late in regulation.
On that power play the best chance came to Christian Sanda who heeled a one timer from the circle. Jordan Schulting also had a great chance from the slot but was turned back.
Then in 3 on 3 overtime things got really hectic. Josh Bruce had a 2 on 0 breakaway with Troy Robillard. Bruce slowed up on the play allowing Robillard to catch up, but he was robbed by the left pad by Caron on the pass from Bruce.
Then Bruce had another breakaway this time he was stopped by the pad of Caron.
At the other end Corey Andonovski rang a shot off the goal post in the final seconds of 3 on 3 OT as he tried outwait a sprawled out Brock Hamm. The Express goaltender finished with 30 saves on 32 Chiefs shots. His rival at the other end finished with 29 saves. Many of them of the difficult variety when you consider the quality of chances the Express were able to create.
Up next for the Express they host the Surrey Eagles Saturday night.
Express Head Coach Jason Fortier made things a little more interesting in his pre-game comments saying tonight was the night the Chiefs long run of success against the Express was coming to an end Friday night.
.@CoachForch on @Chiefs_Hockey 26 game overall winning streak and 20 game home ice winning streak (reg. season & playoffs vs. @BCHLExpress"I've inherited it, I'm going to own it. I think today's the day we're gonna break it. I really believe it, I feel it in my heart. "— Eddie Gregory (@EddieGregory81) January 13, 2018
Right from the get go the Express were generating chances. First it was Sam Kozlowski setting up Josh Wildauer on the slot was who denied on a clean look on the Chiefs net.
Then it was Eric Linell on a jam play in the Chiefs crease who was stopped by Caron who got his left pad down to rob the Express top scorer.
At the other end Chilliwack was able to take advantage of Express mistakes in their own end.
PJ Marroco pounced on a loose puck in the Express zone and beat Brock Hamm with a wrist shot low to the far post.
Hamm returned to the Express crease for his first game since the Christmas break.
At the 15:00 mark of the first period another Express turnover deep in their zone resulted in a 2 on 1 down low and Corey Andonovski slid a pass across to the newly re-acquired Ryan Bowen who tapped the feed into the gaping cage for a 2-0 Chilliwack lead.
Chilliwack carried their two goal lead into the second period which didn't dissuade the Express. They started to turn the game in the middle frame. And the chances were coming fast and furious.
Christian Sanda had a great game in all areas for the Express. He was using his speed effectively to create chances, he was also doing little things right in the defensive zone.
Sanda got the Express on the board taking a pass from Lucas Wong and outwaiting a sprawled out Caron then ripping his 6th of the season over the Chiefs goaltender.
That goal was followed by chances from John Sheardown stopped by the pad of Caron off the rush, Colby Pederson was stopped on a tip play, Haydn Delorme was robbed all alone in front of the Chilliwack net by Caron's left pad, Sam Kozlowski hit the post, and Josh Bruce ripped a shot just past the top corner on a odd man rush.
All those chances coming in the second period alone. But the Express still came out of the frame trailing 2-1.
The Express opened the third period on the power play. Then a minute into the advantage Sam Kozlowski got his stick up on Tommy Lee. Originally Kozlowski was assessed a minor for high sticking. Then after some further pleading from Lee the call was then changed to a double minor. Credit to the Express who killed off the power play and finished the night a perfect 4 for 4 on the penalty kill.
One of the areas that Head Coach Jason Fortier has really emphasized since taking over behind the bench is skill development. He's put in a lot of effort in practice in the little details. Notably tips.
That work paid off for the Express on the tying goal. John Sheardown fired a shot from the blueline that was tipped home by Haydn Delorme through the pads of Caron to even the game at 2 at 5:41. And that is where things stood after 60 minutes.
As the third period wound down, Christian Sanda had two notable shot blocks with his stick in the defensive zone. The second one broke his twig while deflecting the puck out of play.
For the Express it was the first time they've been able to take a point off of Chilliwack since February 26, 2015 a 4-3 overtime loss in Coquitlam. Since that game Chilliwack had won 14 straight games over the Express in regulation.
It was also the first time March 1, 2014 that the Express had picked up a point of any kind in Chilliwack in regulation. They had won 14 regular season home games to the Express without conceding a point to the visitors.
The Express began the overtime with a 4 on 3 advantage for 1:52 with Matt Slick assessed a high sticking penalty late in regulation.
On that power play the best chance came to Christian Sanda who heeled a one timer from the circle. Jordan Schulting also had a great chance from the slot but was turned back.
Then in 3 on 3 overtime things got really hectic. Josh Bruce had a 2 on 0 breakaway with Troy Robillard. Bruce slowed up on the play allowing Robillard to catch up, but he was robbed by the left pad by Caron on the pass from Bruce.
Then Bruce had another breakaway this time he was stopped by the pad of Caron.
At the other end Corey Andonovski rang a shot off the goal post in the final seconds of 3 on 3 OT as he tried outwait a sprawled out Brock Hamm. The Express goaltender finished with 30 saves on 32 Chiefs shots. His rival at the other end finished with 29 saves. Many of them of the difficult variety when you consider the quality of chances the Express were able to create.
Up next for the Express they host the Surrey Eagles Saturday night.
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