The Express came away with another tight checking, hard fought victory tonight over the Langley Rivermen. After tonight, Coquitlam have had half their games go to extra time, and are now on pace to play 27 overtime games this year… who doesn’t love free hockey?!
The game started heavily in the Rivermen’s favour, as they pelted netminder Charles-Antoine Girard early on. It took just six minutes for the Rivermen to strike first, as Nicholas Addy notched his first goal of the year on the power play. Langley kept up the pressure throughout the first, but despite outshooting Coquitlam 18-10, the score held until the 2nd period.
Langley doubled their lead just 3 minutes into the second, but the momentum of the game swung in Coquitlam’s favour after a few strong shifts, and Brendyn Van Oene got the Express’ first goal of the game off a rebound from Munroe. Next up was Shaenen Long, who scored a creative goal right off the faceoff, winning it forward then firing it past Karsen Chartier to tie the game at 2.
The third period was truly anyone’s game, Justin Ivanusec made the Rivermen pay on a defensive zone turnover to give Coquitlam their first lead of the night, but Langley struck right back off a Harshaan Kaila goal, and we were destined for overtime.
The Express forwards went undefeated in the faceoff circle in overtime, allowing them to maintain possession most of the time. A few chances went each way, but it was Chase Valliant who broke the puck down the far boards and set up Justin Ivanusec for his second goal of the game.
Ivanusec came away with first star honours for a two-goal performance and the game winner, and Charles-Antoine Girard got a second star nod for stopping 39/42 pucks.
Next up is the BCHL showcase in Nisku, Alberta! Games all day long from October 11th to October 14th, with the Express games taking place at 4pm MDT on Oct. 11th, and at 2:45pm MDT on the 12th.
You can catch the games on FloHockey, with broadcaster Zach Clarke!
