Tonight was a special one at the Poirier. Not only was the Third Annual Pride Night for the Express a smashing success, but the playoff preview that took place on the ice was something to behold. The fourth and fifth seeds in the Coastal Conference waged all out warfare on a Saturday night and it went to the very last whistle.
The Express battened down the hatches from the get-go with high intensity in the neutral zone and didn’t allow a great many high quality chances for Cowichan. Then, for good measure Coquitlam opened the scoring on a Mason Kesselring one-timer, something that has become a regularity again as of late. James Shannon feathered a cross-seam feed through traffic and Mason did the rest, beating Dylan Krick cleanly. That lead wouldn’t last too long as the Capitals responded with what they do best, scoring a pretty goal. A nice centreing feed from below the goal line found Jordan Bax who absolutely roofed the puck to tie the game at one. Thomas Zocco was next in line at the goalscoring parade as a partial break ended in a nice save by Krick, only for Zocco to make a nice play on the rebound to restore a one goal lead.
The second saw the Express continue to build upon their exploits with not one, but two more tallies. They came in a timely manner because Nico Beaudoin was able to kick off the middle-frame lamp-lighting with a bullet from the slot. Cale Colwell and Nate Crema both got goals in similar fashion as they resulted from net front battles. Colwell got the last touch as he, Pendy and Crema all crashed the crease on a play. Crema’s goal on the other hand was courtesy of a nice pass from Sam Frandina at the end of an absolute chaotic sequence in front of Krick. Patience paid off as the Express were able to keep play alive and eventually get good position in front to rifle it home.
The lone goal of the third period belonged to Jordan Bax as he potted his second of the night and put the pressure back on. Carter Dekay hit Bax with a saucer feed that he tipped perfectly off the crossbar and into the back of the goal. Cowichan rallied and kept the chances coming throughout the third but Andrew Ness was there time and time again to keep them at bay. The defence around him when it mattered was also stellar. Multiple players were sacrificing the body, including David Brandes, who took a deflection off the mouth and then blocked another shot while he was downed. Scott Sterling would be proud.
It came down to the buzzer as the Capitals pressed with the extra attacker on the ice. In the dying moments Cowichan were able to float a pass through to the back door and a wicked one-timer should have sent this game to overtime. However, tonight’s first star had other plans. Andrew Ness sprawled across to deny the blast and time would run out before Cowichan could muster another good chance.
The Express showcased they are nearly playoff ready tonight. This Matchup had all the bearings of a potential first round series and Coquitlam neither backed down nor wavered despite the late push back. Earning leads and holding on is paramount to any team that calls themselves a contender. The reason I say “nearly” is because there is still work to do on fixing up a few defensive lapses that led to the Cowichan goals tonight. The shots that did end up beating Ness were basically perfect though, so perhaps if they didn’t go in the entire perspective is different. However you wish to assess this 4-3 victory tonight, Coquitlam got the job done. And they did it together.
To all that were in attendance for our Pride Night, from the fans to the incredible organizations, thank you for helping us celebrate inclusivity and diversity within this great sport and our even more amazing community.
One game remains on the docket this weekend for the Express. A Sunday afternoon Matinee with the Eagles awaits at the South Surrey Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 PM PST.
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER – David Brandes
MARINER BREWING THREE STARS
3rd – COQ – Cale Colwell – 1G
2nd – COW – Jordan Bax – 2G
1st – COQ – Andrew Ness – 37 Saves on 40 Shots
– Ian Wilson
