The Express and the Eagles are set to do battle for the seventh time this season. Surrey has been no slouch this campaign coming away with a stranglehold on first place in the Coastal Conference as well as a tie for the league lead at this juncture. One team that has been a thorn in their side the entire way is indeed your Coquitlam Express.
The season series sits at 5-1 Surrey but that does not reflect the spirited nature of the contests between the Express and Eagles. Coquitlam has consistently played some of their best hockey when the Eagles are involved, which speaks to the Express’ ability to rise to the occasion no matter the opponent. The local rivalry certainly doesn’t hurt either.
Several of the games between these two teams have gone the distance and been close to the final whistle, often being decided by an empty net insurance marker at the end.
The Express will once again be up against some heavy firepower as the Eagles sport the seventh best goals for number in the BCHL with 128 and are led up front by Caden Cranston and Aaron Schwartz. Schwartz, the Parkland Florida product, is in his second season in the league and has nearly passed his point total from last season with roughly 20 games remaining. He also crested the 100-point mark for his career following a 4-point game against Cowichan Friday night.
As for Cranston, Express duo Jake Manfre and Cole Melady will go from friend back to foe as just a few weeks ago the trio won the 3-on-3 All Star outdoor tournament up in Penticton for Team Mainland.
The other wildcard for this game was also a part of Team Mainland, Ajeet Gundarah. The Sacred Heart committed goalie from Richmond has been nye unstoppable this season with a 1.92 GAA and 0.937 SV%. The question mark though is his health status after he left the Friday night game against the Capitals with an injury. It didn’t appear to be anything serious, but he did not return to action as Jaiden Sharma took over and played the rest of the contest following the second period media timeout.
Coquitlam is coming off back-to-back games that went beyond regulation. Managing their legs will be paramount in this afternoon’s contest. They have the depth and ability to get the job done, but expect to see short, hard and fast shifts being called out by Patrick Sexton and company. They will need the complete effort they provided last night against the Capitals plus just that little bit extra. Going from the rink at the Poirier to the Olympic sized ice at the South Surrey Arena is no joke. Mental fortitude will be working against fatigue.
Matthew Frost was buzzing in both Friday and Saturday’s games this weekend so look to see his style of game flourish on the big ice sheet. A similar sentiment can be said about Ben Snyderman. The pace he plays with is extraordinary and with the extra room to get his motor moving, watch out for a game changing rush to materialize out of thin air.
Head on over to South Surrey Arena and take in the game from the nest or listen along on FloHockey where Joey Pitt will have the call. Puck drop is scheduled for 4pm PST.
– Ian Wilson
