Game 1 of the opening round series between Coquitlam and Victoria quite simply lived up to the hype. For the fourth time this year, including the regular season, these teams needed more than 60 minutes to decide their fate.
The opening twenty saw neither side able to crack the other and anticipation began to build for the spectacle that was to come. While the red lamp never lit, the seeds of a playoff feud were sewn with chippy plays after the whistle aplenty. By the time the second period came around the powder keg was ready for its first spark and it came from a big Tom Molson goal. A rebound came out in front and Molson chopped it home over the shoulders of Andrew Ness. A few minutes later and some unfortuitous luck struck the Express. Andrew Ness came out of the crease to challenge a left wing drive by Jacksenn Hungle and lost an edge. He stumbled and went into the butterfly, where Hungle then threw the puck to the middle and Landon Mackie was streaking towards the goal to tip it home.
The momentum had fully swung in Victoria’s favour and all that remained was to take it over the finish line. Coquitlam had other plans. They dug in and found their response in the third period in the form of a three-goal run. Carson McGinley crashed the crease to put home a rebound to open the scoring for Coquitlam. Then Nolan Flynn inserted himself into the conversation with a wicked wrist-shot from distance that rang off the bar and in past Auyeung-Ashton. He would not be close to done as five minutes later he initiated a give and go with Trip Pendy, went hard to the goal, and was rewarded with a nice pass that he tipped home. Three unanswered to take the lead and the Express looked unstoppable in the penultimate period of regulation.
Chase Pirtle was the answer Victoria required as Reegan Hiscock worked the puck off the Express defence behind the net 15 seconds after Coquitlam had taken the lead. He threw a pass to the waiting Pirtle all alone in the slot who rifled one past Ness. A few more chances would go either way but this game was always destined to go beyond 60 from the opening faceoff.
In the extra frame the Express had a brilliant chance when Thomas Zocco and Cam Russo worked in on a 2-on-1 that turned into a 2-on-0 thanks to a great deke from Zocco around the sliding defender. Unfortunately the Express ran out of room and Auyeung-Ashton shut the door. That left the game needing a hero and Tom Molson answered the call. Coquitlam tried to shoot the puck in deep from the blueline in the Grizzlies zone and it deflected off the back of an Express player. It went right to Molson who jumped on the chance and took off the other way. Despite a furious backcheck from Cam Russo, Molson elevated a backhand over the glove of Ness and seized victory for Victoria.
Take nothing away from the Express in this one, they showcased their grit tonight. Road games in the playoffs are never easy and the Victoria fans brought the energy to the “Q” Centre. They battled back from down 2-0 in the third and made this game exciting, despite the early stumbles. Andrew Ness was his usual dependable self making 53 saves on the evening and the defence overall played well together in the face of a tough and motivated opponent.
Both teams can look at this game and feel excited to get back at it tomorrow for Game 2. If it’s anything like tonight, fans are in for a treat.
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER – Jacksenn Hungle
MARINER BREWING THREE STARS
3rd – COQ – Carson McGinley – 1G
2nd – VIC – Landon Mackie – 1G
1st – VIC – Tom Molson – 2G including OT Winner
– Ian Wilson
