Game 3 was a prime example of what happens when a team gets early momentum in a playoff contest. Alberni got on the board quickly and often as they leveraged their goalscoring and great forechecking to force the issue and lead for the duration of the contest. It wasn’t without pushback from the Express though.
The major key to Game 4 is which team can find their playstyle faster. Both Alberni and Coquitlam are excellent teams at dictating pace when they get their momentum rolling. Once the Bulldogs wrested control of the game early it was hard to knock their confidence and commitment to controlling the puck and defending.
Perhaps the biggest defensive piece to focus on tonight will be positioning for the Express. The Bulldogs first three goals all came from defenders not being in a spot to challenge the shooter. Grayson Badger’s first came immediately after a faceoff draw where he had a clean look in front of Adam Manji. His second was a rebound effort where Badger was unchecked for his shot from the goal line. The third was Terpstra having time and space on a drop pass to shoot post and in right side. To be fair to Coquitlam, the first and third marker of the opening frame were unbelievable shots that another inch one way or the other could have rung off the steel.
The Express will need their speed once again tonight and it was on display at times in Game 3. Not just offensively though, the defensive commitment on the backcheck will be as important, if not more so. Noah Dziver was one of many Coquitlam players hustling hard at the Train Station less than 24 hours ago. For evidence one must look no further than his shorthanded goal.
One thing in particular Coquitlam had success with in Alberni Valley at the Dawg Pound was finding offence through their blueline. It’s no secret the Express have a plethora of talented puck moving defenders. Their abilities will be tested with quick decision making as they have to move the puck decisively under pressure from the Bulldogs. Alberni did an excellent job of staying high in the zone so the Express had to work hard with their possession time at the blueline.
Staying disciplined will as always be imperative tonight, especially after a few cracks in the armour were seen yesterday. Coquitlam gave the Bulldogs four chances on the powerplay and took six penalties overall during the contest. Alberni would be successful on two of said opportunities and it came back to haunt the Express. Little bits of frustration boiling over if you get down in a game will only make the problems go from bad to worse. The Bulldogs knew they needed to take advantage and they did, righting a big wrong from their home games to start the series. They went from 1/5 on the powerplay in the series to 3/9 after Game 3 and from allowing 3/7 on the penalty kill to succeeding on all four kills they saw yesterday.
Confidence will be king at the Train Station. The Express know there is still lots of series to go but it all starts with a one shift at a time mentality this evening. Whatever the Bulldogs throw their way this time around, they look to respond in kind with Express hockey.
Play together, play disciplined, play hard.
Grab your tickets or tune in to the broadcast on FloHockey at 7pm PST!
– Ian Wilson
