So far in this best-of-seven, the depth players have come out swinging for the Express. Tonight the call will be for the big guns to truly take aim with Coquitlam down 2-0 to the Grizzlies. This isn’t to say the top six have been fully out of contention, as several times the puck has been mere inches from lighting the red lamp. Their work ethic has been noted and defensively all four lines are contributing right now but the offence needs to find that next gear.
Victoria took the driver’s seat coming out of last weekend in the Provincial Capital following a huge OT win in Game 1 and subsequent 3-1 triumph in Game 2. The compete is there from all four lines, all three pairings, and from both Oliver Auyeung-Ashton and Kyle Kelsey. The Grizzlies blueline in particular was great at shutting down chances within the D-zone with their long reach and touted physicality. Coquitlam will need to dig in and battle for every inch of ice offensively as the confines get smaller coming over to the Poirier. One would think that an immediate advantage for the Grizzlies but Coquitlam have proven very effective in their home barn against this foe.
We know on the side of the Express who will be tasked with defending the crease. Andrew Ness made a combined 91 saves on 98 shots through the opening weekend and has consistently given the Express the chance to come out victorious. The question lingers on the Victoria side of who the coaching staff will tap for Game 3. Oliver Auyeung-Ashton stopped 46 of 49 in Game 1 and was sensational enroute to the OT win but was then unavailable for undisclosed reasons in Game 2. That opened the door for Kyle Kelsey who stopped 39 of 40 including several key denials when Coquitlam came out the gates hot and tried to push back in the third.
The Express have one key statistic in their favour through two games, and that is the Penalty Kill. Victoria had the fourth best powerplay average in the BCHL this season, so they know how to convert when it matters. Three chances they have had in this series and three times they have been sent packing. The other side of that equation however needs some tuning. Coquitlam’s powerplay did not look like its usual self during Games 1 and 2. One conversion did come but it was the secondary unit capitalizing on a 3-on-2 odd-man rush with a perfect shot from Nolan Flynn. Many will say a goal is a goal and that is 100% correct. It does not matter how the Express get the scoring hot again, it just has to happen.
It also remains to be seen if Thomas Zocco will be available for tonight’s contest after suffering an injury in the opening period of Game 2. That is another top-six forward potentially out of the lineup with Joseph Odyniec currently on the shelf. It will be up to the depth guys to continue stepping up while the remaining big names shoulder the dispersed offensive load.
Get your tickets and join us for what is expected to be an exciting Game 3 at the Poirier! If you can’t make it in person, the FloHockey broadcast will as always be live.
– Ian Wilson
