The Coquitlam Express are back in action tonight as they host the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at the Train Station! Puck drop is at 7:00pm.
This will be the back half of back-to-backs for both of these clubs, as the Express played the Langley Rivermen at home last night and the Silverbacks hosted the Merritt Centennials in Salmon Arm last night. This could pose as a great opportunity for this Express team to find a victory over a Silverbacks team that played last night and spent the majority of today travelling to Coquitlam.
With that being said, this Silverbacks team is currently riding a six-game win streak and the Express are trying to snap a seven-game slide.
Despite losing 4-2 to the Rivermen, the Express played arguably their best game of the season last night at the Train Station. The energy and emotion that they carried throughout the contest was palpable and they deserved a better fate. Two goals in seven seconds in the third period were the dagger for the Express, who otherwise played a very defensively-conscious game. Their forecheck was relentless and Langley struggled to get up ice for large portions of the contest, especially in the first and third periods.
Jayden Sison had himself his best game of the season last night, contributing a goal and a helper skating on a new line consisting of himself, Arlo Merritt, and Ray Hamlin. They had no problems generating offensive chances and they’ll likely continue that trend this evening. Also on a new line last night, was Ryan Tattle – the team’s point leader skated alongside Shane Lavelle and Kahlil Fontanta. They’re an extremely fast line with a relentless forecheck and a nose for the front of the net. They’ll look to make a contribution tonight.
The Express’ powerplay went 0/5 last night, but did a good job of creating high-quality chances – they seemed to be keeping things much more simple and directed a considerably higher amount of pucks at the net than games prior. Overall, the Express fired 40 shots on the Rivermen’s net, with a large portion coming on the man advantage. If they can execute early on the man advantage, this group’s confidence will skyrocket and the production will follow suit.
Connor MacKenzie gets the nod again tonight. He was firey in the crease for the Express last night, engaging with Langley forwards and making some terrific saves when his group needed them. He’ll be locked in for this one tonight.
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