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Comeback Falls Short – Express Lose to Victoria

The Coquitlam Express played host to the Victoria Grizzlies, and for those who came to the game hoping to see Alex Newhook who is expected to be a first round NHL draft pick to be a factor in the game, those people weren’t disappointed.

Newhook finished with two assists as part of a 6-3 Grizzlies win. Click here for boxscore

The Express knew entering the game they were facing one of the more dynamic offensive teams in the BCHL. And they had to find a way as much as they could to force the play to Victoria to play in their own zone.

There were some good moments from the Express in the first period controlling the play in the Victoria end.

But the visitors had the only goal of the opening period. 14 minutes into the game a long stretch pass found Henri Schreifels who snapped a shot past Clay Stevenson for a 1-0 Victoria lead.

Plenty of attention heading into the game was focused on Alex Newhook along with linemate Alex Campbell who is a C prospect for this years NHL draft and New York Rangers pick Riley Hughes. They showed some flashes in the first period. Then in the second period they began to leave their mark on the game.

With Dallas Farrell in the box for goaltender interference, the Grizzlies quickly got control of the puck off the face-off and Newhook found Hughes in the slot who quickly scored for 2-0 Grizzlies lead just 9 seconds into the powerplay.

Penalties were problematic for the Express with four consecutive infractions called on the Express late in the first period and into the second period.

Now with Jordan Schulting in the box for the Express, Newhook danced into the Express zone and slid a pass to the side of the Express net where Alex Campbell chipped it in for a 3-0 Victoria lead. The Grizzlies were 2 for 5 on the powerplay.

Campbell’s electrifying speed was on display all night. He then raced into the Express zone where his backhand was stopped by Clay Stevenson but the rebound was just sitting in the crease for Hughes to poke home for his second of the night and a 4-0 Victoria lead.

The crowd was energized when Cooper Connell off a face-off helped set up Juliano Santalucia’s first BCHL goal who out waited Grizzlies goaltender Kurtis Chapman then beat him on a backhand and it was 4-1 Victoria after 40 minutes.

As we’ve seen numerous times during the season the Express kept fighting and found a way to claw back into it.

Chase Danol powered his way out of the corner just shy of the 5 minute mark of the third period to make it a 4-2 game with a snap shot short side.

Chase Danol – Photo courtesy Damon James

 

 

Then with just under 8 minutes to play Josh Wildauer poked home a rebound to cut the Express deficit to one.

The comeback hopes however were dashed with 5:17 to play. Marty Westhaver took advantage of a bobbled pass back to the Victoria blueline and Westhaver beat Stevenson on a breakaway to make it a 5-3 game.

An empty net goal that dribbled into the net that was credited to Ryan Nolan with 8 seconds to play to make it 6-3.

Victoria finished outshooting the Express 46-27.

The Express play host to the Surrey Eagles on Sunday afternoon.