It’s a big one in Alberni Valley as the Express once again make the trek to Vancouver Island this weekend.
The last time these teams faced off was one to remember for Coquitlam with the Express winning 7-1 on home ice to send the fans home happy for the holidays. Drew Garzone netted a hat trick with the offence firing on all cylinders in front of a raucous crowd thanks to Centennial Secondary and the Gamar Foundation! Garzone would pick up an honorable mention for the BCHL player of the month honours after he produced 11 points in 8 games.
The Bulldogs are not an easy team to run through. Case in point the Bulldogs had multiple 10 goal games in December and heading into the Dec 16th game led the league in total offence. Something clicked for the Express and they channeled the early holiday magic, playing a hard-nosed forechecking style of game, generating several chances enroute to dominating puck possession. Things were looking up before the Winter break. And then the wheels fell off the bus a bit in Powell River.
There have been numerous changes to the Express roster as of late. Leading up to the Powell River games, Coquitlam signed both Oliver Gabrielson and Zach Bansley. One week removed and there have been two more signings in Mathew Frost and Matheson Mason. Bringing four new bodies into the program in short succession is going to change even the most well-oiled of game plans.
A change to the stratagem may have been needed despite some of the recent success before the break with the Express currently sitting in 6th in the Coastal Conference. For a team looking to break the first-round exit curse of the last few years, it will be interesting to see where this shakeup ultimately shakes down.
Matheson Mason is a commit of Lake Superior State University and in 20 games this season with the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampeders has 3 points. Last year he spent time between the Aurora Tigers and Wellington Dukes of the OJHL where he had 22 goals and 45 points in 42 games.
Matthew Frost hails from Moose Jaw and spent this season so far with the Waterloo Blackhawks in the USHL where he scored 5 points in 25 games.
“Kudos to Head Coach Patrick Sexton who worked hard to get Frost to commit to our program,” said Express GM Tali Campbell. “We see Frost as a top player on our team. His eye for the game, and his tenacity will make him effective.”
New Year, new Coquitlam Express seems to be the motto to get behind with all these moves. It will be exciting to see how Head Coach Patrick Sexton and company incorporate the new additions into the lineup. They will need to acclimate quickly with one of the top sides of the Coastal Conference waiting for revenge on home ice.
Catch the game on FloHockey where Evan Hammond will have the call. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm.
– Ian Wilson
