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Express Outlast Trail, Win in Shootout

By Eddie Gregory

The Coquitlam Express opened up their two game Interior division weekend road trip on a winning note by a 2-1 score over the Trail Smoke Eaters in a shootout.

It was the second shootout victory for the Express this season. The first coming in late October in Penticton.
Right off the bat one of the BCHL’s top penalty killing units in the Express was put to the test as Nick Wildgoose was called for a double minor high sticking penalty just past the two minute mark of the first period. They did a great job limiting the chances against and that was reflected in a 6-1 Express advantage in shots midway through the first period.
Josh Wildauer who committed to Lake Superior State earlier this week, rewarded the school’s faith in him by opening the scoring for the Express late in the first period converting a feed from Alex DiPaolo in the slot for a 1-0 Express lead after 20 minutes.
Kolby Matthews only faced 5 Trail shots in the first period. That number went up in the second period thanks in part to a pair of Express penalties in the opening 6 minutes of the frame.  Mack Byers found a puck bounce his way in front of the Express net and he finished his 6th of the season to tie the game at 1.
Danny Pearson just shy of the 12 minute mark of the period was on the receiving end of a hit as a pass was coming his way. Jimmy Darby delivered the hit and was assessed a five minute major for blow to the head and given a game misconduct. The Express couldn’t score on that powerplay and finished 1 for 3 on the night. The best chance was a goal line opportunity for Alex DiPaolo from a tight angle.
Nothing was settled in the third period as Kolby Matthews made 9 saves in the third period and Trail veteran Adam Marcoux made 7 saves at the other end.
A patient Express team had plenty of puck possession in the 3 on 3 overtime. Chase Danol had a great chance to win the game but was denied by Marcoux who stretched out as far as he could to deny the Express goal leader. Then in the dying seconds Hunter Alden was denied by a windmill glove save by Marcoux.
The Express went with the same three shooters Friday in Trail as they did in their first shootout weeks earlier in Penticton.
Chase Danol opened the scoring in round one of the shootout for the Express.
Josh Wildauer missed his attempt in round two for the Express while Kent Johnson for Trail evened the shootout at one with a five hole shot on Kolby Matthews.
Hunter Alden put the Express back in the lead with a deke to the backhand on the third Express attempt. Then Kolby Matthews fired out his glove to stop Trail Captain Braeden Tuck to secure the second Express shootout win of the season. Matthews finished the night with 20 saves for his 8th win of the season.
The road trip will take the Express into Wenatchee on Saturday night.