The BCHL is officially back!
Your Coquitlam Express are set to take the ice for a 6:30 pm clash with the Surrey Eagles. This is the first game of the 20-game pod season and the first of 10 matchups against the Eagles. The other 10 will be played against the Powell River Kings. All games will be played out of the Scotia Barn. Unfortunately, there will be no fans in attendance for this shortened season, but you can catch all of the action live on HockeyTV!
At the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, the Express were boasting the best record in the entirety of the BCHL (47-9-1-1). These two division rivals played each other eight times during that 58-game season and the Express took six of the contests. The Express were poised for a deep playoff run, but the run was cut short by the pandemic after they swept the Langley Rivermen in the first round. The boys are hoping to continue their winning ways as they head into this unorthodox season. However, it is important to note that the roster has been shaken up a fair amount since last season, and replicating that success will prove to be a challenge.
Special teams were a huge part of the Express’ success last season. They ran the second-hottest power play in the league, operating at 26.9% and their penalty kill was the best in the league, firing at 90.4%. This new-faced roster will hope to keep the train rolling! Special teams will be a major factor in this irregular season – as the teams play each other more and more, they will understand each other’s systems better and better and defences will tighten up. Capitalizing on those man-advantages, and shutting them down on the opponent’s side, will be increasingly more important as we progress through the season.
The boys posted a solid record in the preseason (8-3-0-0), so let’s keep that up and start off the regular season with a big win!
Get off the tracks – a train is coming through!
#AllAboard
