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BEHIND THE BENCH

BEHIND THE BENCH

BEHIND THE BENCH ? Playoffs an entirely different experience
 
The Express don?t do anything the easy way would be an understatement. It took a win the second-last game of the regular season to reach the playoffs and now the post-season will take another determined effort against Surrey after dropping the first two games on the road.
            Coquitlam produced just three goals in the first two games while allowing eight. With the season on the line, balanced scoring is needed when the Express plays at home Monday and Tuesday at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex.
            The only Express goals so far have come from Riley McIntosh, Massimo Lamacchia and Alex Petan. All were on mid-range shots. The team needs more players going to greasy areas for rebounds and second chances. This is what the playoffs is all about, making that extra effort to win battles for possession and getting to the blue paint area.
            Special teams also need to be much better after the power play was shut out in two games at Surrey. More shots on goal would help pave the way for crashing the net for second and third chances.
            In other words, these next two games need a total commitment with a persistent willingness to play every shift like it?s the last of the season. Personal pride is at stake here in the Express?s first playoff appearance in three years.
 
Submitted by Grant Kerr, assistant coach

 

BEHIND THE BENCH ? Three for the Show

The solution is pretty clear for the Express over the final three games of the BCHL regular season. Win three and it?s on to the post-season. Falter and it becomes a game of mathematics that can be dicey at best.

            Coquitlam is tied with Cowichan Valley for the last playoff position in the Coastal Conference. The Express has one more game to play than Cowichan. But for the moment, Cowichan holds the first tie-breaker with one more victory.

            The Express plays Surrey twice and then Salmon Arm to complete the 60-game schedule ? Wednesday at Surrey, Friday at home against Surrey and Sunday at the Poirier Sports and Leisure complex versus Salmon Arm.

Players know what?s at stake and the intensity should be jacked. The Express won once on a tiring three-game Vancouver Island swing last weekend, but there were some encouraging signs.

Goaltender Kahleed Devji was brilliant in a 3-2 win over Victoria, with Massimo Lamacchia scoring the winner with a sensational move and shot, while Mike Krgovich added two goals.

            Saturday in Port Alberni wasn?t so pretty during a 6-4 loss, although reserve netminder Billy McGladrey had a strong relief appearance, allowing just one goal over almost two periods. Destry Straight chipped in with two goals.

            Sunday, in the third game in less than 24 hours, the Express lost 6-3 to first-place Powell River, with McGladrey again solid in relief. Fast-improving Austin Carroll scored twice, including a breakaway on a pass from Justin Georgeson.

            So now it all boils down to staying on course, making simple plays and every shift being important over the next three games. The coaching staff is confident objectives can be reached, namely the first Express appearance in the playoffs in three years.

 

Submitted by Grant Kerr, assistant coach

BEHIND THE BENCH ? Time to stand up
 
With a five-game home stand in the books, the Express play three times on Vancouver Island this weekend with playoff ambitions soon to be determined.
            Coquitlam has six games remaining, including four on the road, starting Friday against Victoria. Saturday?s game is in Port Alberni and the trip ends Sunday at Powell River, head of the class in the Coastal Conference.
            The path to the playoffs is difficult, to say the least, but the Express did defeat Victoria last week and posted an away win in Port Alberni earlier in the season. As they say in sports, anything?s possible when a group of young men put their collective competitive instincts on the line.
            It?s pleasing to see the team?s 20-year-olds, playing their final junior season, working so hard to extend the campaign. Riley McIntosh, Mike Krgovich and Jason Grecica have worked diligently, and the team would be getting even more veteran help had injuries not slowed two other leaders.
            A strong weekend from the leadership core would go a long ways towards making the season a success.
 
Submitted by Grant Kerr, assistant coach

BEHIND THE BENCH ? Home stand huge

The Express has a string of five consecutive home games, beginning Friday against Langley, which will go a long way towards determining whether Coquitlam makes it to the BCHL playoffs.

            Langley is the next opponent, the same team that scored in the final minute Thursday for the 4-3 decision over the Express. Coquitlam battled back from a two-goal deficit in the third period to tie the score before disaster struck when Langley?s third line produced the winning goal at 19:18 after some shoddy defensive zone coverage.

            The bottom line to this home stand is that the Express must get more secondary scoring in order to be successful. A common theme in recent games has been only one line doing the scoring each night. In order to beat top teams, more scoring must come from other units.