Kimens’ Hat Trick Lifts Express Past Bulldogs

by Eddie Gregory

The Coquitlam Express return home following their three game Island division road trip with a 2-1 record after posting a 5-3 come back win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Sunday afternoon.

Regan Kimens paced the come back with his second career BCHL hat-trick and first with the Express.

Alberni Valley got the jump on the Express opening the scoring midway through the first period on a goal by Keaton Mastrodonato going to the net and tipping home a pass from Jackson Doucet for a 1-0 Bulldogs lead.

Grayson Valente gave the hosts a 2-0 lead in the final minute snapping a shot home from the slot. Unfortunate outcome for the Express who outshot the Bulldogs 14-8 in the first period.

Aaron Bohlinger’s powerplay goal just 1:33 into the second period made it 3-0.

The deficit didn’t deter the Express who never took their foot off the gas despite playing their third game in as many days for the lone time this season.

Kolby Matthews dialled his game in the rest of the way to give the Express a chance for a comeback.

He made a key breakaway save on Mitch Deelstra to keep the Bulldogs lead at just three.

Danny Pearson’s hot play continued into Sunday. He got the Express on the board with his 5th goal in his last 5 games to make it 3-1 at 5:11.

That goal combined with the Mathews save minutes earlier sparked the Express for the rest of the way.

Regan Kimens pulled the Express within one with a powerplay goal sliding a shot through the pads of John Hawthorne at 15:10. For Kimens it was his first goal in 8 games.

8 minutes into the third period Matthews made his 3rd breakaway save of the afternoon to keep the Express down just a single goal. Matthews finished with 24 saves for his 9th win of the season.

With 9 minutes to play Kimens converted a great cross ice pass out of the corner from Dallas Farrell then roofing a shot over Hawthorne for his second of the game and tying the game at 3. The powerplay finished 2 for 5.