The battle at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex tonight will be far greater than what is on the ice. Cancer is a disease with immeasurable impacts on us all. It comes in many shapes and forms but the way it alters lives is undeniable. Tonight, the Express are painting the rink purple and raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
The opponent, besides Cancer, is the Prince George Spruce Kings. This is the third of seven meetings these teams will have throughout the season and the first two went handedly in Coquitlam’s favour. Both sides are different from the squads that faced off in Northern BC back in September but the expectation for Coquitlam should be the same. The Express seemingly have all the pressure tonight as they look for a return to form following the 7-1 loss to the Vipers on Wednesday.
Prince George have been doing some soul searching of their own as they embark on this road swing in the Lower Mainland. A four game losing streak is currently upon them having dropped contests against Langley, Cowichan, Chilliwack and Spruce Grove. To say the Spruce Kings are road weary may be an understatement as they have been logging incredible mileage on the bus. Powell River was their destination to end October and they just had another Lower Mainland trip two weeks ago. Those bus legs have weighed heavy as Prince George are 3-6-1 away from Kopar Memorial Arena. Goals haven’t come easy for them either as they sit second last in the Coastal Conference for offensive production. If you compare that goal scoring pace to the second place Alberni Valley, they are only five behind them. However if you are going to score low, so do your opponents, and Prince George have had troubles accomplishing that.
Defence will be a key for your Coquitlam Express as well. There have been many holes in the ship lately and water is coming in fast. 18 goals they have surrendered over the last three games and the offence can only help you out so much when the average against is six. Going back to the basics and ensuring that responsibility in their own end is at the forefront will be huge to improving their chances tonight. As Andrew Ness said in his introductory interview, “Keep it simple, stupid”.
It’s another JPHL invasion for the Express tonight as both Ryder Riedel and Tyler Magdalinski have once again been called up. Will the youth movement be the shot in the arm Coquitlam needs to right their progress? Both Riedel and Magdalinski have looked exceptional in their appearances this season and with how hungry they are to prove their signings for next year are warranted, they will be playing hard.
Friendly reminder to get your votes in for the BCHL All-Star Fan Vote! Mason Kesselring is our nominee and you can send him to Salmon Arm alongside Sam Frandina in January by visiting the voting page daily.
– Ian Wilson
