The Coquitlam Express visited the Langley Rivermen on Wednesday night as they looked to extend their two-game winning streak against the top team in the Coastal Conference!
In the first period, the Express came out slower than they would have liked and paid the price in the form of a goal coming against them on Langley’s first shot of the game. Despite a few solid shits from the Express, the Rivermen would go on to add another goal 5:22 later to take a 2-0 lead. From that point on, the Rivermen deployed a 1-3-1 trap and did their best to completely restrict the neutral zone. They did their best but they ultimately failed as the Express did break through and draw a penalty and, thanks to captain Ryan Tattle, score on the ensuing powerplay. As the period neared a close, the Express again broke through the trap and drew another penalty with just 36 seconds remaining. The Express went to the room down by one but on a powerplay after 20 minutes of play.
The middle frame was a slow one for the Express as they only managed to chalk up five shots. They were penalized twice in the period and it certainly killed a lot of their momentum. Langley found the only goal of the period 4:58 in as they capitalized off of an Express mistake at their own blue line and executed quickly in transition. Outside of their two powerplay opportunities and quick goal, the Rivermen didn’t generate too much offence themselves – it was a slow period for both sides. After 40 minutes of play, the Express trailed the Rivermen 3-1 and were being outshot 20-13.
The Express had their best showing in the final period as they placed with a solid pace and proved to be a handful for the Rivermen’s 1-3-1 trap. They managed to chalk up nine shots in the frame and get within one goal thanks to a Tyler Kopff redirection in front of the net. That’s as far as they would come, though, as the Rivermen’s trap ate up the clock and they eventually went on to put one into the Express’ empty net.
Overall, the Express played a fairly solid game and arguably deserved a better fate. They went 1/2 on the powerplay and also killed off all three of Langley’s opportunities in the contest. The Rivermen are an extremely defensively conscious hockey club and they are among the best in the BCHL at protecting leads, particularly small ones – they put that on full display Wednesday night.
The Express are back at the Train Station on Friday night as they take on the visiting Chilliwack Chiefs!
#AllAboard | #WeAreAllExpress
