Coquitlam kicked off their three-game weekend on the right foot as they dispatched the Spruce Kings by a score of 4-1. Most of this contest was close until the final few minutes of regulation so kudos to the Express on playing with a defensive purpose that is starting to become more regular. Jeff Wagner talked about the importance of winning these close games with a playoff-type atmosphere. Safe to say he must be pretty satisfied with the outcome of Thursday night.
The Spruce Kings know how important every game is down the stretch of the regular season. When you are on the outside looking in, every point matters in the hunt for a playoff spot. They came out swinging with their usual brand of heavy, physical, forechecking hockey. That early energy generated quality chances and a shot on goal lead they would carry through to the end of the opening frame. Coquitlam would draw blood first however as a tic-tac-toe play was finished off by Connor Seeley for his first as a member of the Express. Cale Colwell took a feed from Thomas Zocco and made the unselfish extra pass to ensure the puck made it past Charles-Edward Gravel.
That 1-0 scoreline held until the third period when Connor Seeley was at it again, this time assisting on the 2-0 goal. He fired the puck off the near side corner boards to start the dump-and-chase play but the biscuit came right back out in front of the goal. Gravel tried to play the puck outside the crease and James Shannon took advantage, knocking it past the wayward netminder. There was a brief review but it would stand as a goal and Coquitlam never looked back. Prince George was able to make things interesting at the 14:30 mark with Nicolas Papineau grabbing his ninth of the season. Brock Cummings generated a turnover behind the Express goal as he stole the puck from Sam Frandina before playing it in front to the waiting Papineau. That is all the offensive firepower PG could muster as Andrew Ness was up to the task for the remainder of the third. There were some key denials down the stretch as the Spruce Kings buzzed with adrenaline from that 2-1 goal but the pride of Winnipeg kept the door shut firm. Carson McGinley netted the insurance marker to officially deflate the opposition. He would get a rather fortuitous tip rushing the front of the goal and it found a home upstairs over Gravel’s shoulder. Finally, Cam Russo iced the game with an empty netter, and who better to set him up than Nolan Flynn.
Top line scoring, check. Depth scoring, check. Defensive commitment, check. Goaltending at its peak, check. All the boxes were ticked for Coquitlam last night as they get full marks for controlling the game and managing the pressure applied from a desperate team. You are going to have to keep your nerves in balance come the post season, especially in close games like Thursday night. Even more evidence to that fact is this exceptional stat: Coquitlam did not take a single penalty. There was one powerplay awarded in the entire game and it was a boarding call against Prince George. The hockey last night at the Poirier was about as fun and clean as anyone could ask for.
The playoffs are right around the corner, but teams are already starting to get into Fred Page form. Coquitlam are now only one point back of the Cowichan Capitals for the fourth seed and home ice advantage in round 1. How poetic that it is the Capitals and Express, this Saturday Night at the Train Station.
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER – Cale Colwell
MARINER BREWING THREE STARS
3rd – PG – Nicolas Papineau – 1G
2nd – COQ – Carson McGinley – 1G
1st – COQ – Connor Seely – 1G 1A
– Ian Wilson
