The Coquitlam Express look to kick off November in winning fashion when they host the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Friday night at the PSLC. The Bulldogs are currently 5th in the Island Division while Coquitlam sit 3rd in theirs. This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season.
The visiting team will certainly be in tough containing Coquitlam's high powered offence. Coquitlam leads the entire BCHL in goals scored with 75 meanwhile Alberni Valley has struggled defensively so far this season allowing 88 goals against. Coquitlam head coach Barry Wolff is not allowing his team to take this one lightly however, "They (Alberni Valley) have definitely been rolling, winning their last two games and they've got a new goalie thats been hot for them", says Wolff. That new goalie is Connor Lacouvee who is 2-2 so far for Alberni Valley after being acquired from Merritt earlier in the year. If given the nod, Lacouvee will face the task of keeping the Coquitlam trio of Adam Rockwood, Corey Mackin, and Ryan Rosenthal off the score sheet. A task many other opposing goalies have failed to do as all three are in the top 15 in league scoring.
Going into this one, Wolff wants his team to keep it simple offensively in order to continue their goal scoring success. "We have to make sure to get pucks on the net and to get traffic there and don't be fussy with our shots", he explains. A formula that has helped the Express light the lamp quite frequently this season, especially at home.
Last year these two teams split their two meetings with the home team coming out victorious both times. Coquitlam will be looking to continue that trend come 7:00 p.m. Friday night when the puck is dropped at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex.
