The Coquitlam Express look to get back on track and snap a three-game losing streak with a big victory over the Surrey Eagles tonight! Puck drop is at 7:30pm.
This clash marks the sixth meeting between these two teams. Their last outing was a blowout, with the Express being on the losing end of a 13-1 shellacking. With some key players still out of the lineup, the Express will have their hands full this evening with a red-hot Eagles team that has won three consecutive games, averaging nine goals per game in that span.
The good news for the Express is that their point leader (13), Ryan Tattle is back from injury tonight. The bad news is that Christian MacDougall received a suspension last game and now joins captain Danny Pearson in the suspended category. Ryan Williams and Colten Kovich both still remain out with injury.
Tattle will retake his spot on the top line, being flanked by Austin Fraser and Keeton Oakley. Fraser is coming off of an impressive two-point night in which he found his first goal of the season – he’s been around the net all season to no avail, so hopefully, this will spark some confidence and ignite a hot streak for the West Vancouver native.
Dylan Kruss is back between the pipes tonight for the Express. The Thornhill, Ontario product has all four of the Express’ wins this season and he’s seen a lot of action in the process – he’s seen 284 shots in eight games. He’ll look to get back to his winning ways and snap a personal two-game slide.
The Express need to stay out of the box tonight and play a much more structured game of hockey against this very lethal and deep Eagles team. The Express lead the BCHL with 128 PIMS and the Eagles lead the league with a 34.2% kill rate on the man advantage. Additionally, the Express need to capitalize on their own power plays – what was such a potent man advantage to start the season, has recently stagnated and gone 0/17 in their last five games. The return of Tattle should definitely provide some life to this flat power play.
This young and inexperienced Express team has 11 rookies in the lineup tonight and are in need of their elevated play more than ever. With key veterans out, there’s a big void to be filled and names like Fraser and Oakley are going to be looked to quite heavily tonight. Expect this hungry Express team’s offence to be fueled by that top trio.
Get off the tracks – a train is coming through!
#allaboard
