Last night’s game lived up to the billing and then some with drama and excitement flourishing. A comeback to take the lead and an edge-of-your-seat finish left all the home fans heading away happy. We have to once again thank Port Moody Secondary for bringing so much vibrance and energy to the Train Station as their spirit night did not disappoint.
The special teams stole the show in the first period with Chilliwack and Coquitlam trading goals on the man advantage. Trip Pendy scored his fourth of the season on a cleanup play at the nearside post to get the crowd going while Connor Arsenault got one back for the Chiefs seven seconds into their first powerplay of the game. Both sides were executing and finding their rhythm early on.
The middle frame also featured a pair of goals, with Dru Mushumanski finding the first as he scored an impossible one from below the goal line. He shot the puck upstairs off the top of Andrew Ness’ back and it trickled off his shoulder into the goal. As Jagraj Lalli put it, shades of Patrick Kane in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals. The Express would answer with an absolutely textbook powerplay goal as they went tic-tac-toe before Nate Crema got the puck past Quentin Miller in front.
James Shannon made the extra unselfish pass and turned that play into a work of art. Captain Coquitlam played in his 100th BCHL game last night and it was a quintessential performance for the pride of New York. His defensive pressure, offensive composure, and energy out on the ice earned him second star of the game honours.
The lone goal of the third period broke the tie for good with Trip Pendy netting his second goal of the game. He let a wrister go from the left side that beat Quentin Miller and the Train Station went bananas. Down the stretch Coquitlam had a few chances to find the dagger including a breakaway for Mason Kesselring. He broke free and let a wicked wrister go glove-side but Miller stood tall with his best save of the night by far. That gave the Chiefs a chance to rally but they could not muster the tying goal.
Overall the Express earned excellent grades in all facets last night. They defended Chilliwack well and didn’t give up that many grade-A scoring opportunities. They executed on the powerplay, coming away 2/3 on the evening. While they did give Chilliwack three powerplays, the discipline was fantastic from the home side and shows the continuing trend that this team can master their emotions when the time calls for it.
To put the cherry on top of an excellent evening, Captain Coquitlam’s Mom joined the broadcast for the post-game interview and had some wonderful things to say about what it means to be a hockey parent. We are so grateful to all the incredible Moms in the Express family, both by blood and billet. They will be coming along for the ride to Chilliwack as the Express and Chiefs go for round two, tonight at the Coliseum.
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER – Mitch Kneidel
MARINER BREWING THREE STARS
3rd – CHWK – Quentin Miller – 29 Saves on 32 Shots
2nd – COQ – James Shannon – 1A
1st – COQ – Trip Pendy – 2G
– Ian Wilson
