The Express ran out of steam in a big way as they went to South Surrey Arena and fell to the Surrey Eagles 9-2. There’s a lot to unpack in a game like this but sometimes the best thing to do is sweep it under the rug and move forward.
Surrey came out of the gates scorching hot. They burned the Express for six goals in the first period to start the rout and never looked back. Adam Manji started the game but would be chased after allowing four goals on 13 shots before Ethan Simcoe ventured in between the pipes. He didn’t fair entirely better, surrendering 5 on the 28 shots he faced through 50 minutes of ice time. Credit where it is due, Simcoe battled through this game after coming in in relief. He made some big stops that kept this game from getting even more out of hand than it was.
Several of the goals against tonight just looked like a complete lack of energy for the Express. Multiple times Eagles players were just able to walk their way right into the high slot without anyone challenging them until the shot was already labelled for the back of the goal. This was the third game back-to-back for Coquitlam so the gas tank running empty was an entirely possible outcome, but to this extent was tough to see.
The Eagles put nine up on the board and got them from a plethora of different sources. Eight unique scorers helped propel them to the victory. And they didn’t even need the work of Aaron Schwartz. Former Express Liam Tanner was part of the goal scoring party on a wicked shot from the high slot that came 16:04 into the second period.
Coquitlam managed to put two goals of their own across the line. Thanks go to a long range snipe from Jackson Krill for his ninth of the season and Jake Manfre breaking free for an unassisted 18th of the year which he backhanded past Jugnauth on a breakaway.
Things devolved a bit in the third period around the 12:51 mark. Miles Burgin was upended coming into the Express zone and as he was falling Drew Garzone came across the zone and made contact with Burgin’s head. The Surrey forward would be ok and left the ice under his own power but the bad blood boiled over. Savek Brar and Luke Vardy got into an exchange that saw Brar ejected from the game. Drew Garzone was given 5 and a game for his contact with Burgin. Lastly, Patrick Sexton was ejected from the game after he shared some choice words with the officials following the entire proceedings.
To say frustrations are at an all time high in the Express locker room would be an understatement. Coquitlam now drop to 3-10 since the winter break concluded and will continue the soul search as they prepare for next weekend’s home and home with the Chilliwack Chiefs.
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER – Charlie Derrheim
MARINER BREWING 3 STARS
3rd – SUR – Massimo Fazio – 1st BCHL Goal
2nd – SUR – Ryan Schelling – 4 A
1st – SUR – Ante Zlomislic – 2G
– Ian Wilson
