PETTIE APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF EXPRESS

The Coquitlam Express are happy to officially announce the appointment of Mark Pettie as the President of the BCHL Junior A hockey club.

Mark has been working with the team in an advisory capacity for a number of months and his appointment helps solidify the management of the organization.

"We are very pleased to have Mark formally on board" said Rick Siemens, one of the team Owners who resides in Hong Kong.  "Our ownership group brings a strong passion and commitment to the sport of hockey and we've been happy to dedicate our energy and resources in partnership alongside supporters and groups in the surrounding communities.   With Mark as our President, with his history and community track record, we now have terrific local leadership to help us make our Express the hockey experience of choice in the Tri-Cities."

"We are confident that Mark's local leadership will further cement the team's partnership with the community, creating a magnet for community initiative and, at the same time, providing a unique opportunity for young players to pursue their hockey dreams while achieving a first rate academic education", added Gary Lawrence, another of the team Owners.

Pettie is a local businessman and a long time resident of the Tri Cities.   Mark has a long history of community involvement and project management with a number of organizations such as the Tri Cities Chamber of Commerce and the Terry Fox Foundation.   He has played and been involved in hockey for more than 45 years.

“The Express and the BCHL play an important role in our communities and not just on the ice.   The team has done a great job as ambassadors throughout BC, Canada and even North America, but also does a lot of grass roots work at home.  I have always been impressed with the work that the organization has done supporting local charities and groups and I look forward to being a part of it.”

The next Express home game is Friday November 13th at 7 PM , Poirier Arena.  At the November 13th game the Express will be hosting Veterans Night in recognition of those that have served our country.

Tickets available at the door or at the Austin Safeway.

For more information please contact

Coquitlam Express

Jr A Hockey Club

604 936-4625

RIVERMEN DOUBLE UP ON EXPRESS

The Langley Rivermen picked up their second victory over the Express in just over a week with a 6-3 decision at the Langley Events Centre.

The visitors played shorthanded without the services of captain Jackson Cressey, Eric Udahl, defensemen Nic Coltura, Troy Robillard and goaltender Tyger Howat. 

As a result Langley got off to a quick jump on the Express. 

Justin Fregona got a big night started by finishing off a two on one with Matthew Graham opening the scoring just 1:19 into the game. 

Langley was flying in the first period. They opened up an early 10-1 advantage in shots. Matt Saharchuk blasted home a pass out from behind the net from Fregona for a 2-0 Rivermen lead at 5:30.

Jack Surowiec took the spot vacated by Jackson Cressey's absence centering the top line with Colton Kerfoot and Austin McIlmurray. Surowiec set up Kerfoot midway through the first period to cut the Langley lead in half. 

But the lead was right back to two for Langley 55 seconds later when Adam Sinclair beat a cheating Lawson Fenton with a sharp angle shot up over his left shoulder. 

Langley's speed really gave the Express problems in the first period. 

Matthew Graham busted out of his own zone at full speed ahead to lead the attack into the Express zone. He dished it to Fregona who threw the puck at the net creating a scramble that was finished off by Matt Saharchuk poking home a loose puck in the crease. 

The second period saw the Express find their lunch buckets. 

It started with Keegan Jones, Alex Ambrosio, Jonathan Irving and Matt Michie setting the tone. They put their work boots on the try and cut into the Langley lead. A pass out from behind the net by Michie was converted by Irving for his second of the season just 54 seconds into the second period.

Barry Wolff recognizing the impact the youngsters were having on the game and made sure to keep keep rewarding them with ice time. 

Owen Stout pulled the Express within one when Luca Leone got the puck to the net and on the second effort at the side of the Rivermen net Stout was able to jam it home to cut the deficit to one.

The Express had their chances to complete the comeback in the second period getting three power plays in the middle frame but the Express weren't able to convert on any of them. They finished 0 for 6 on the power play Friday. 

Langley got some bad news late in the second period when Bo Didur left the game with an injury favoring his leg. The knocked out the goaltender entered the game with the best save percentage and second best goals against average in the BCHL. 

Nick Trenciansky came off the bench to finish the game. Last week the Express were able to chase him just 8 minutes into the game after 2 goals on 5 shots. But it would be a different story Friday. He would shut the door making 11 saves in relief. 

Langley put the game away early in the third period just two minutes in when Logan Mick got a lucky break by firing the puck at the net from the corner and it bounced off Fenton's leg and in for a 5-3 Rivermen lead.

Justin Fregona capped off a four point night to put the finishing touches on the game by busting his tail from his own zone up the ice then taking a Mick saucer pass and finishing off a breakaway for his second of the game. 

The win improved Langley to 2-0 vs. the Express this season. Langley also opened up a 3 point lead on the Express for third place in the Mainland division. 

Up next the Express hit the road next weekend for a pair of games in Wenatchee.

CAPTAIN CRESSEY COMMITTS TO PRINCETON

Jackson Cressy in action vs. Langley this season - Photo courtesy of Damon James

The Coquitlam Express are proud to announce Captain Jackson Cressey (96) has committed to play for Ivy League school the Princeton Tigers for the 2016-17 season. The Division One program located in Princeton New Jersey, plays in the ECAC Hockey Division. 

Cressey, a West Vancouver native is in his third BCHL season. He was named Express captain prior to the 2015-16 season. As of Monday, Cressey led the Express in scoring with 11 goals and 25 points in 17 games. Those numbers currently rank him 5th in BCHL scoring. He's been very consistent this season picking up points in 15 of 17 games. He also has 7 multiple point games this season. 

Cressey's 11 goals this season match his career high set last season in 52 games. He began his Express career as an AP during the 2012-13 season scoring 3 goals in 10 games. In 135 career games all with the Express he has 31 goals and 48 assists for 79 points. 

Cressey (centre) celebrates 2014 Fred Page Cup championship

During his first full season with the Express in 2013-14 Cressey won the Fred Page Cup BCHL championship and played in the Western Canada Cup in Dauphin Manitoba.

"The Tigers just got better with Jackson’s commitment, his leadership, character and work ethic will be welcomed to any program and will be a great addition to the Princeton team and school. 

We are very proud of Jackson, and that he is a member of the Express! We thank him for all he has done for the Express program." - Express Head Coach & GM Barry Wolff

"I am very excited to continue my education and hockey career at such an amazing school and terrific program. I would like to thank my past and current team mates, and my family for all their help and support for allowing me to pursue my education and hockey goals.

Thank you to my past hockey coaches and the Express coaches who made this all possible and for an amazing 3 years" - Jackson Cressey

Congratulations and well deserved Jackson. 

EXPRESS LET FAST START SLIP AWAY

Max Kaufman battles Jake Brien - Photo courtesy of Damon James

In the first meeting of the season, the Express allowed a quick start slip through their hands as quickly as they got it and fell 6-2 to the Langley Rivermen Wednesday night in Coquitlam. Click here for boxscore

Alex Ambrosio celebrates his 1st BCHL goal - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Alex Ambrosio scored his first BCHL goal to open the scoring for the Express. That was quickly followed 28 seconds later by a goal by Austin McIlmurray after Colton Kerfoot and Jackson Cressey couldn't convert a 2 on 1 and the Express were on their way with a 2-0 lead.

Rivermen Head Coach Bobby Henderson quickly got the hook out on Nick Trenciansky after 2 goals on 5 shots. He was replaced by Bo Didur.

That sequence woke the Rivermen up. 18 seconds after the McIlmurray goal Justin Szeto potted home a loose puck in the crease. That goal was followed 43 seconds later by a goal by Jason O'Niell to even the game.

The Rivermen wave didn't stop there. Justin Fregona scored Langley's 3rd goal in less than 3 minutes when he came out from behind the net and beat Lawson Fenton with a backhand.

This game had a number of key moments that turned the game in favour of the Rivermen. The first one was the goal by Szeto shortly following the 2-0 Express goal.

Max Kaufman (23) had 4 points in the win - Photo courtesy of Damon James

The next one came in the final seconds of the 1st period as the Express took their foot off the gas knowing the 1st period was winding down. But Max Kaufman made the most of his limited time and whipped a shot from the right wing past Fenton just before the buzzer for a 4-2 Langley lead after 20 minutes.

The Express entered the second period looking for a chance in momentum. But it was denied when Cameron Ginnetti blasted home a slap shot just 1:37 into the middle frame.

Looking for a spark Head Coach Barry Wolff did do some line juggling in the 2nd period.

Late in the period came the last key moment in the game for the Express. They had a 5 on 3 for 1:36. They needed to strike once if not twice for a real shot at a comeback. That big goal that was needed never came. The best chance coming off a one timer by McIlMurray from the left circle but Bo Didur came to his right and made a shoulder save.

Bo Didur made 24 saves in relief - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Fregona rounded out the scoring adding his 2nd of the game on a third period power play. That goal capped off 6 unanswered Rivermen goals. 10 players for the Rivermen hit the scoresheet. Max Kaufman lead the way with 4 points 1 goal and 3 assists.

Bo Didur had 52 minutes of shutout hockey coming off the bench making 24 saves.

Lawson Fenton allowed 6 goals on 30 shots. It was a tough night for the Express netminder. He's done an admirable job filling in for the injured Tyger Howat. But Wednesday's game was one where they felt the absence of their number one goaltender.

Up next the Express hit the road for a pair of games Friday and Saturday in Prince George. The Express don't have to wait long to see the Rivermen again next Friday in Langley.

Forward Matt Michie - Photo courtesy of Damon James

SUROWIEC COMMITS TO HOLY CROSS

Jack Surowiec (25) celebrates his 1st BCHL goal.

Coquitlam Express forward Jack Surowiec (96) has committed to Holy Cross for the fall of 2016.

Extremely honored and excited to announce my commitment to @HCrossMHockey for 2016! #RiseTogether #BleedPurple

— Jack Surowiec (@Baby_Horse22) October 20, 2015

The Louisville Kentucky native is in his first season in the BCHL. He has 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points in 14 games. In recent games he's been starting to find his offensive touch at the BCHL level with points in consecutive home games.

"The Crusaders just got better with Jack’s commitment, his character and work ethic will be welcomed to any program and will be a great addition to the Holy Cross team and school.
We are very proud of Jack and that he is a member of the Express!" - Coquitlam Express Head Coach and General Manager Barry Wolff.



"I am very excited to go to Holy Cross and contribute both on and off the ice,
I would like to thank my past and current team mates, coach’s and my family for all their help and support for allowing me to pursue my dreams." - Jack Surowiec.

Surowiec came to the Express from the Culver Military Academy in Culver Indiana where he played the previous two seasons. Last season he was the captain of the team where he was also teammates with current Express forward Jonathan Irving.

Jack will have some company when he heads to Holy Cross joining teammate Charlie Barrow who came to the Express already with a commitment to Holy Cross for 2016.

Congratulations Jack.

EXPRESS PULL AWAY FROM EAGLES IN THE THIRD

Luca Leone scored a second period goal - Photo courtesy of Damon James

The Express battled back from a pair of second period deficits, then pulled away in the third period to knock off the Surrey Eagles 4-3 Friday night in Coquitlam. Click here for boxscore

Austin McIlmurray, Jarell Pinchuk and Colton Kerfoot all had 1 goal and 1 assist to pace the offensive attack. Lawson Fenton had another solid game between the pipes making 35 saves.

Lawson Fenton made 35 saves - Photo courtesy of Damon James

It was a scoreless first period between the two teams. Surrey's best chance in the first period came on the power play when John Wesley tried to find a pinching Darius Davidson, the Eagles forward thought he had a tap in, but Charlie Barrow and Fenton teamed up to help make sure Davidson wasn't able to snap the puck in the open net.

Defenceman Taylor Green was denied by Daniel Davidson as he came to his right after Green was set up by Colton Kerfoot on a two on one.

The Eagles outshot the Express 15-6 in the first period. Thanks in part to having nearly 6 minutes of power play time in the opening period.

Darren Hards broke the offensive deadlock early in the second period as Eagles forward Donovan Ott muscled the puck in front of Express net and it slid through the crease and Hards roofed it over Fenton.

Dante Hahn - Photo courtesy of Damon James

That goal started a sequence that saw the teams trade four goals in a span of 6:25.

Jarrel Pinchuk scored his first Express and BCHL goal when he buried the rebound of a Jack Surowiec shot from the left wing that was punted into the slot.

The lead only lasted 45 seconds as Nathan Deyell from the left point found himself with time and space and he unloaded a snapshot that beat a screened Fenton for Deyell's 1st BCHL goal.

The Express response came just over three minutes later on the power play. Luca Leone took the rebound of a Owen Stout shot off the end boards and fired a backhand past Davidson as he came across the crease. The goal for Leone was his first in an Express uniform since November 9th, 2012 vs. Chilliwack.

Period three saw the Express top line take over the game. Austin McIlmurray fired a great pass rink wide to Colton Kerfoot who snapped a shot past the glove of Davidson on the short side.

Eric Udahl 1st period chance - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Five minutes later Jackson Cressey set up McIlmurray on a two on one and he finished with a shot top shelf for a 4-2 Express lead.

At that point the Express went into shut down mode and had the game in control. They were making smart decisions with the puck as the clock wound down.

Then the Eagles got a lucky break with just under three minutes to go.

Kyle Star as he was going off on a change flipped the puck in from centre ice, Noah Turanski playing on defense contacted the dump in with a high stick, Lawson Fenton was leaving his crease to play the puck and the puck slid into a half empty cage with Fenton unable to get back in time.

Jake Brien battles John Wesley - Photo courtesy of Damon James

That goal was a tough break for the Express. But not so tough to turn the game in the Eagles favour. The Express held on the rest of the way.

After the three Eagles power plays in the first period, each team had one chance on the power play in the final 40 minutes. The Express were 1 for 1 on the power play and shut down all four Eagles power plays.

Up next the Express play host to the Langley Rivermen on Wednesday. 

KINGS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the Express 4-3 overtime loss to Powell River Friday.



Highlights courtesy of Jorge Parra and Underdog Productions.