The Coastal Conference has sported some great sides in this early season. Obviously, the Surrey Eagles are well known to Coquitlam, with the local side already having multiple games for the Express to contend with. The other Coastal Conference powerhouse of note has been the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Coquitlam faced the Bulldogs in their first contest of the season, dropping the game 5-1 on home ice, but Alberni has kicked it to another level since. Alberni just dispatched the Cowichan Valley Capitals 10-1 last night with Samuel Leonard and Jacob Terpstra both notching hat tricks on route to the commanding victory.
So, offence is certainly something Alberni knows how to work with. On the flipside however, they’ve allowed 6 more goals than Coquitlam on the year. The Express are going to need to build from the backend in this one as Alberni will look to smother things early with heavy pressure and a relentless attack. Fueling the Bulldogs will be an undoubtedly raucous crowd at the Dog Pound. Coquitlam have had a mixed bag when it comes to playing in hostile barns, with the road record sitting at .500, but the hustle is always there when it comes time to try silencing the home side’s faithful. If they can keep their heads on straight and match the physicality of Alberni, good things will happen. They also do hold the benefit of rest on their side, with the Bulldogs having the aforementioned Cowichan game before this tilt with the Express. In some ways that benefits the Bulldogs, with much opportunity to carry momentum from one game to the next, but they’ll certainly be fighting their legs along the way. Also key for the Express will be shutting down the play of Nicholas Beneteau. The veteran from Windsor, Ontario has 32 points in 23 GP so far this season, and 23 of them have been helpers. His facilitation along with the physical aspect we always see is a tough combination for opposing sides.
Look for Coquitlam to rely on their icebreakers, with Jake Manfre and Cole Melady flying high off their All-Star weekend nods. Manfre is automatically in, but Melady needs your help! Just like last season the league declared the initial round of all-stars for the teams, and then each team gets a second representative whom can be voted on by the fans to be sent to the big dance in Penticton. You can find the voting for this season’s festivities here. Melady came away with Coquitlam’s Boston Pizza Player of the Month honours after putting up 11 PTS including 9 assists through the month of November.
Tune in for the broadcast on FloHockey where Evan Hammond will have the call!
STATS
COQ / 10-8-1 (6th Coastal) / 56GF – 62GA / 234 PIMS
PP% – 15% (17th in BCHL) / PK% – 77.9% (9th in BCHL)
ALBERNI / 15-8-0 (2nd Coastal) / 97GF – 68GA / 398 PIMS
PP% – 19.6% (13th in BCHL) / PK% – 81.1% (3rd in BCHL)
– Ian
