Oct. 7th, 2013 – With 3 victories over the weekend, the Express were able to move within 1 point of the Langley Rivermen for the Mainland Division lead.
Captain Ryan Rosenthal (6 goals, 3 assists) and goaltender Gordie Defiel (81 saves on 84 shots; two 1st Star Awards) led the way for Express who outscored their opponents 19-7 in the 3 games. Fourteen players tallied on the score sheet, including 5 points from Coquitlam native and BCHL leading scorer, Adam Rockwood (4 goals, 15 assists).
The Express kicked off the weekend by hosting the Chilliwack Chiefs at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex on Friday night. Chilliwack was able to jump out to an early lead thanks to a powerplay goal by Zack Diamantoni at 4:23 of the 1st Period. It was only the Chiefs’ 2nd powerplay goal in 31 attempts thus far this season. The lead would be short lived as Bo Pieper and Corey Mackin scored within 4 minutes of each other to give the Express the 2-1 lead heading into the 1st Intermission.
Rosenthal recorded his 1st goal of the weekend on the powerplay early in the 2nd, extending the Express lead to 3-1. He would then team up with Adam Rockwood 3 minutes later to serve Corey Mackin an opportunity which he capitalized on for his 2nd of the game. Following another Chilliwack powerplay goal, Rosenthal would seal the Express’ first win on home ice this season.
Express goaltender, Gordie Defiel made 42 saves, earning the nod as 1st Star of the game. Defiel explained the importance of putting behind goals against early in the game, "When they get a quick one, or I guess any goal at all, you (have to) put it behind you because you can't change it". Chilliwack's game was certainly to crash the net and try to rattle the netminder when they struggled to score. This was a tactic the Express contained pretty well according to Defiel, "they would throw it from the outside and try to get some rebound goals but my (defensemen) did a good job keeping those big guys out of there"
Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game: Gordie Defiel
Scotiabank 3 Stars: 1) Gordie Defiel 2) Ryan Rosenthal 3) Corey Mackin
The Chiefs and Express met again on Saturday night in the back end of the home-and-home. It was an explosive game for the visiting team, as Coquitlam was able to tie their season high, with an output of 9 goals. Canon Pieper recorded his 1st career BCHL hat trick and Rosenthal added another 2 goal, 1 assist performance to lead the way. Coquitlam native, Pierce Dushenko turned aside 39 of the 43 shots he faced, to record his 1st BCHL victory. A total of 10 Express players reached the score sheet, including 6 who recorded a multi-point effort.
Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game: Andrew Sillard
Scotiabank 3 Stars: 1) Canon Pieper 2) Ryan Rosenthal 3) Jordan Kawaguchi
In Sunday’s weekend finale, fans were treated to an entertaining 1st Period as both goaltenders stymied the opposing shooters, resulting in a 0-0 game through the first 20 minutes. Adam Rockwood took the game into his own hands during in the first half of the 2nd, scoring both Express goals to give his squad a 2-0 cushion. The Eagles would capitalize shorthanded when Nicolas Pierog potted an Express turnover with only 10 seconds to go in the frame.
An early 3rd Period penalty afforded the dangerous Express powerplay the opportunity to add to their lead. Ryan Rosenthal capped off his Player of the Week candidacy by scoring on that powerplay and following it up with the Express’ 4th goal of the game at the 14:06 mark. Canon Pieper added his 4th of the weekend and yet more insurance a mere 1:27 later.
Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game: Brett Mulcahy
Scotiabank 3 Stars: 1) Gordie Defiel 2) Ryan Rosenthal 3) Adam Rockwood
The Express have two games slated for the Thanksgiving long weekend. Former Express Head Coach, Jon Calvano, and the Langley Rivermen visit the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex Friday night to determine who will remain atop the Mainland Division. Be sure to come early and enjoy this week’s Friday Fan Festival courtesy of PriceSmart Foods – Pinetree, gets underway at 5:30pm. Local charity, A Helping Hand, will also be on location to collect your old and unwanted winter jackets for those who are without.
Captain Ryan Rosenthal (6 goals, 3 assists) and goaltender Gordie Defiel (81 saves on 84 shots; two 1st Star Awards) led the way for Express who outscored their opponents 19-7 in the 3 games. Fourteen players tallied on the score sheet, including 5 points from Coquitlam native and BCHL leading scorer, Adam Rockwood (4 goals, 15 assists).
The Express kicked off the weekend by hosting the Chilliwack Chiefs at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex on Friday night. Chilliwack was able to jump out to an early lead thanks to a powerplay goal by Zack Diamantoni at 4:23 of the 1st Period. It was only the Chiefs’ 2nd powerplay goal in 31 attempts thus far this season. The lead would be short lived as Bo Pieper and Corey Mackin scored within 4 minutes of each other to give the Express the 2-1 lead heading into the 1st Intermission.
Rosenthal recorded his 1st goal of the weekend on the powerplay early in the 2nd, extending the Express lead to 3-1. He would then team up with Adam Rockwood 3 minutes later to serve Corey Mackin an opportunity which he capitalized on for his 2nd of the game. Following another Chilliwack powerplay goal, Rosenthal would seal the Express’ first win on home ice this season.
Express goaltender, Gordie Defiel made 42 saves, earning the nod as 1st Star of the game. Defiel explained the importance of putting behind goals against early in the game, "When they get a quick one, or I guess any goal at all, you (have to) put it behind you because you can't change it". Chilliwack's game was certainly to crash the net and try to rattle the netminder when they struggled to score. This was a tactic the Express contained pretty well according to Defiel, "they would throw it from the outside and try to get some rebound goals but my (defensemen) did a good job keeping those big guys out of there"
Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game: Gordie Defiel
Scotiabank 3 Stars: 1) Gordie Defiel 2) Ryan Rosenthal 3) Corey Mackin
The Chiefs and Express met again on Saturday night in the back end of the home-and-home. It was an explosive game for the visiting team, as Coquitlam was able to tie their season high, with an output of 9 goals. Canon Pieper recorded his 1st career BCHL hat trick and Rosenthal added another 2 goal, 1 assist performance to lead the way. Coquitlam native, Pierce Dushenko turned aside 39 of the 43 shots he faced, to record his 1st BCHL victory. A total of 10 Express players reached the score sheet, including 6 who recorded a multi-point effort.
Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game: Andrew Sillard
Scotiabank 3 Stars: 1) Canon Pieper 2) Ryan Rosenthal 3) Jordan Kawaguchi
In Sunday’s weekend finale, fans were treated to an entertaining 1st Period as both goaltenders stymied the opposing shooters, resulting in a 0-0 game through the first 20 minutes. Adam Rockwood took the game into his own hands during in the first half of the 2nd, scoring both Express goals to give his squad a 2-0 cushion. The Eagles would capitalize shorthanded when Nicolas Pierog potted an Express turnover with only 10 seconds to go in the frame.
An early 3rd Period penalty afforded the dangerous Express powerplay the opportunity to add to their lead. Ryan Rosenthal capped off his Player of the Week candidacy by scoring on that powerplay and following it up with the Express’ 4th goal of the game at the 14:06 mark. Canon Pieper added his 4th of the weekend and yet more insurance a mere 1:27 later.
Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game: Brett Mulcahy
Scotiabank 3 Stars: 1) Gordie Defiel 2) Ryan Rosenthal 3) Adam Rockwood
The Express have two games slated for the Thanksgiving long weekend. Former Express Head Coach, Jon Calvano, and the Langley Rivermen visit the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex Friday night to determine who will remain atop the Mainland Division. Be sure to come early and enjoy this week’s Friday Fan Festival courtesy of PriceSmart Foods – Pinetree, gets underway at 5:30pm. Local charity, A Helping Hand, will also be on location to collect your old and unwanted winter jackets for those who are without.
