Fri. Nov 15 – The Coquitlam Express won their second home game in a row as they doubled up division rival Langley Rivermen in an exciting contest at the Train Station.
The Express showed little effect from their nine day layoff as they came storming out of the gate and never trailed in defeating the Rivermen.
Ryan Rosenthal scored on a breakaway opening the scoring less than five minutes into the contest with an unassisted shorthanded goal.
The Express then scored two goals in less than a minute as Joey Santucci and Marc Biega gave the Express a 3-0 lead chasing Langley goaltender Steve Myland at the 7:05 mark of the first period.
The teams then traded goals as Langley's Austin Azurdia and Coquitlam's Bo Pieper each scored and the Express held a 4-1 lead after 20 minutes of play.
Express Captain Ryan Rosenthal set up Cory Mackin and Canon Pieper giving the Express a 6-2 lead at the end of two periods of play.
Langley rounded out the scoring as only goal of the third period was scored by Jackson Waniek,the final score was 6-3.
Canon Pieper set the pace with two goals and one assist as he was named the Fortis Energy player of the game. Ryan Rosenthal also had a three point night with a goal and two assists. Joey Santucci had the Gordie Howe hat trick as he recorded a goal, an assist and a fight.
Express Head Coach Barry Wolff described the game as "a total team effort".
The Express head to the valley on Saturday night as they have a date with the Chilliwack Chiefs at the Prospera Center as part of a busy three game weekend.
Scotiabank 3 Stars:
1. Canon Pieper
2. Ryan Rosenthal
3. Bo Pieper
Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game:
Canon Pieper
Sat. Nov 16 – The Express got off to a tough start and were unable to recover as they dropped a 6-3 decision to the Chilliwack Chiefs on Saturday night.
The Express trailed 2-0 after the first as the Chiefs scored on a pair of knuckleball shots from the point which eluded goaltender Pierce Dushenko.
Joey Santucci got the Express on the board at the 7:32 mark of the second period, with assists going to the Pieper brothers, but it was the only goal the Express would score on the night.
The good news is the Express get a chance to get right back on the ice as they host the Victoria Grizzlies at the Train Station Sunday afternoon at 2pm.
Sun. Nov 17 – The Coquitlam Express came out on the short end of a 4-3 score as they took on the Victoria Grizzlies in a Sunday matinee at the Train Station.
The teams traded goals through the first two periods with Marc Biega and Canon Pieper scoring for the Express. It was 2-2 after two.
The Island team jumped out to a 4-2 lead midway through the third but a Corey Mackin goal at 17:53 had the Express back on track.
With goaltender Gordie Defiel on the bench the Express were buzzing around the Grizzlies net during the final minute but they were unable to notch the equalizer.
Head Coach Barry Wolff was happy with his team’s effort, while unhappy with the result. Wolff says “the boys played with energy, passion and emotion”. He says they were unfortunate to not get a better result for their efforts.
Scotiabank 3 Stars:
1. Alec Dillon, Victoria
2. Marc Biega
3. Brandon Egli, Victoria
Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game:
Alec Dillon, G, Victoria
The Express are back in action on Friday, November 22 when they don their Retro Coquitlam Comets jerseys to host the Penticton Vees at the Train Station at the PSLC, Game time is 7pm.
