RIVERMEN EDGE EXPRESS

The Express had their 3 game winning streak come to an end Wednesday afternoon dropping a 4-3 decision to the Langley Rivermen.  Click here for boxscore

It was the 5th straight game in which the Express gave up the opening goal of the game, and for the first time in that run they weren't able to at least come out of the game with a point.

Ethan Leyh opened the scoring 50 seconds into the game stepping into a pass from the boards in the Express zone into slot area and a quick shot was snapped past the blocker of Kolby Matthews.

Fresh off securing a commitment to RIT, Kolby Matthews came back with a number of quality saves to keep the Express deficit at just one. Despite the loss, the had a solid outing finishing with 32 saves.

Connor Gregga showed great hand eye coordination to bat home his 5 goal of the season at 12:06 to tie the game at 1.

The Express had a full two minute powerplay late in the first period that carried over into the second period. Despite some good puck movement the Express couldn't add to their lead.

Moments after that powerplay expired, Danny Pearson surprised Langley goaltender Braedon Fleming with a wrist shot past his glove from just inside the blueline. For Pearson it was his 4th of the season and his second goal in as many games.

Goals in quick succession has been a constant theme for the Express in recent outings. That continued Wednesday as Dallas Farrell scored 3 minutes after Pearson's goal by jumping on a loose puck that bounced off the corner boards and Farrell's shot beat Fleming up over his shoulder for a 3-1 Express lead.

Immediately following the goal Rivermen Head Coach Bobby Henderson called his timeout to re-group his team. They immediately responded with good pressure in the Express zone.

1:09 after Farrell's goal C.J. Walker beat Kolby Matthews from the slot to cut the Express lead to 3-2.

Just under 6 minutes later Devin Leduc and Daneel Lategan broke out on a two on nothing break and Lategan kept the puck himself and buried his own rebound to tie the game at 3.

In the third period Devin Leduc rushed out from deep on his own zone all the way untouched into the Express zone where he finally met 4 Express defenders who couldn't team up to contain Leduc and he slid a shot under Matthews for what would turn out to be the game winning goal.

Forward Alex DiPaolo took a tumble coming back on a play defensively and crashed into the end boards and was in some discomfort and didn't return for the rest of the game. That had a trickle down effect on the forward lines as the Express sought an equalizer.

A fourth powerplay for the Express in the third period went unconverted and Langley held on the rest the way. The Express finished 0 for 4 on the powerplay.

The win improves Langley to 2-1 against the Express in the season series.

The Express return to the ice Friday night when they host the Vernon Vipers. 

MATTHEWS COMMITTS TO RIT

COQUITLAM, BC - Coquitlam Express are proud to announce that 1999 goaltender Kolby Matthews has committed to the Rochester Institute of Technology for next season. Matthews, a Coquitlam native, has posted a .923 save percentage so far this season which ranks third in the BCHL among all eligible goaltenders and was the Express' player of the month for September.

"I'm very excited to commit to RIT for next year. I think this will be a really great fit for me, they have a great hockey culture with proven success and history as well as a strong academic program. I know this will be a big challenge for me but with that brings a big opportunity so I’m excited for this next step. Now I am able to focus on the rest of the year and bringing a championship back to my home town of Coquitlam." said Matthews.

"Kolby is a hard working and motivated individual. Since day one with the Express he has shown great character in the room and a strong work ethic on the ice. It is rewarding for coaches when you get to coach a player who is a great player plus a great person." said Coquitlam Express Head Coach and General Manager Jason Fortier. "His consistency, effort, daily habits and excellent play have earned him this opportunity. He is a player that fits the All Aboard vision." Added Fortier.

Matthews becomes the 9th player on the current Express roster to receive a NCAA scholarship and first committed this season.

The Express continue their 2018-19 campaign with a nooner versus the Langley Rivermen on Wednesday October 31 at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex. A win on Wednesday will give the Express sole possession of first place in the BCHL.

KIMENS COMMITTS TO MERRIMACK

The Coquitlam Express are proud to announce that 1999 forward Regan Kimens has been committed to Merrimack College for next season.

The Concord, Ontario native has 6 goals and 19 points through 19 games this season, the same amount of points he totaled in all of last year. His offensive consistency has really stood out with points in 15 of 19 games this season. And to be more specific he has points in 15 of his last 17 games and had a 13 game point streak recently snapped after tallying 5 goals and 12 assists for 17 points.

"Just beyond excited to be a part of the future for this team. I can't thank the the coaching staff and the boys on the team enough for me getting here, I wouldn't have done it without them." said Kimens.

"Regan has been an excellent addition to the Express. He has earned the minutes he plays and is an honest player who works hard each game. Regan spent the summer training hard to become successful and when a player combines skill and effort he will always succeed." said Express Head Coach and General Manager Jason Fortier.

The is the second commitment to an NCAA school in as many days for the Express with today's news and the announcement of Kolby Matthews being committed to RIT yesterday. Kimens becomes the 10th player on the Express current roster to be committed to an NCAA school.

2ND PERIOD FLURRY ENOUGH FOR EXPRESS TO TOP CAPS

Three goals in 50 seconds in the second period turned Saturday's contest in favour of the Express and they never looked back in a 5-2 win over Cowichan Valley. Click here for boxscore

It was the third straight win for the Express and their third straight come from behind victory.

Cowichan Valley opened the scoring right as a Jordan Schulting penalty hit 0:00 as a shot by Lucas Vanroboys beat Clay Stevenson on the stick side.

As the Express looked for the equalizer they ran into a Capitals team that did a good job of closing space on the Express in the first period to create plays.

It was 2-0 Cowichan Valley on a goal by Paul Selleck as he went to the net and buried the rebound of a Adam Conquest shot from the right wing.

As the period progressed the Express slowly began to establish more of a presence in the Capitals zone.

Josh Wildauer late in the first period got the Express on the board burying a loose puck at the end of the Capitals crease.

The game quickly turned on a double minor penalty assessed to Cowichan's David Malaragni. Chase Danol tied it at two at 4:21 with the first penalty still in effect. It was the third straight home game that saw the Express overcome at least a two goal deficit.

25 seconds after Danol's goal the Express had their first lead of the game on Drew Cooper's third goal of the season on a one timer past Blake Wood. All three of Cooper's goals have come on one timer plays and on the powerplay.

Cole Edgerton capped off three Express goals in 51 seconds one timing a pass from Josh Bruce in the slot for a 4-2 Express lead.

Now with a two goal lead in hand the Express never looked back. Josh Bruce was a strong presence for the Express using his strength to control pucks on the offensive zone. He came close to his first goal of the season on a toe drag chance in the 2nd period.

Josh Wildauer in the third period showed great determination maintaining possession of the puck after being knocked to the ice and getting back up and dumping it deep in Caps zone. He followed up on the play and was able to feed Danny Pearson who quickly snapped home his third of the season for a 5-2 Express lead.

After allowing two first period goals, Clay Stevenson shut the door the rest of the way. He capped off his 6th win of the season on a breakaway save late in the third period off Paul Selleck. Stevenson finished with 20 saves.

The Express remain one point back of the Chilliwack Chiefs for first place in the overall BCHL standings. But the Express based on points percentage are tops in the BCHL having played one fewer game than the Chiefs who have played 20 games while the Express have played 19.

Wednesday the Express will have a school day game and will play host to the Langley Rivermen.

EXPRESS @ VEES HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the first ever Express shootout win 3-2 in Penticton Wednesday.

Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.

SPRUCE KINGS VS. EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights from Sunday's 5-3 Express win over Prince George.

Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.

EXPRESS COME BACK PAYS OFF THIS TIME VS. SPRUCE KINGS

For a second straight game the Express had a multi goal comeback vs. the Prince George Spruce Kings, this time the Express came away with the full two points with a 5-3 victory.
Click here for boxscore

Like Friday, the Express came out of the first period trailing 2-0. Ben Brar who has been an Express killer this season opened the scoring with his second shorthanded goal against the Express on a rebound at 5:03.

Brar struck again in the final minute of the 1st period using a defender as a screen then snapping a shot past the glove of Clay Stevenson for a 2-0 Spruce Kings lead. For Brar it was his 3rd two goal outing against the Express this season. He has 7 goals already in 5 meetings with the Express this season.

Sunday the Express had their early period rally one frame earlier than Friday doing it in the second period.

Chase Danol started the come back for a second straight game firing a shot over the shoulder of Logan Neaton just 27 seconds into the second period.

That was followed 54 seconds later by Josh Wildauer scoring from the slot and the Express had erased a two goal Prince George lead in quick fashion for a second straight game.

Those goals proved to be a spring board for the Express attack that wouldn't let up.

Regan Kimens scored the third Express goal in a span of 6:16 converting a cross ice pass from Dallas Farrell.

Late in the second period a confident Express powerplay moved the puck around at will creating numerous quality chances. Finally, Dallas Farrell put a perfect pass on the tape of Josh Wildauer who tipped home his second goal of the period and a 4-2 lead after two periods. Farrell had three assists in the second period while his line mates Josh Wildauer scored twice and Regan Kimens had a goal and an assist.

Christian Sanda iced the game with just over 7 minutes to play redirecting an Alex DiPaolo pass through Neaton for a 5-2 lead moments after an odd man rush went awry.

Corey Cunningham finished the scoring with 10 seconds left. That only put a minor damper on Clay Stevenson's 5th win of the season as he finished with 28 saves.

The win puts the Express back up by two points of the Prince George Spruce Kings for second place. And they're three points back of the Chilliwack Chiefs for first place.

Wednesday night the Express will visit the Penticton Vees.