Team Sites
Follow the BCHL
BCHL

Postgame Thoughts – Coquitlam Express vs Chilliwack Chiefs (1/21/22)

The Coquitlam Express hosted the visiting Chilliwack Chiefs in their second of three consecutive meetings on Friday night.

The first period had it’s fair share of action with both teams generating some quality chances and throwing their weight around in the physicality department. The Chiefs put their league-leading powerplay to work with 1:21 of 5-on-3 time, but the Express did a wonderful job at taking away their shooting and passing lanes – ultimately, the Chiefs were held to just a handful of shots. For the Express, they executed on their only powerplay of the period, courtesy of Mateo Dixon. Prior to that, Ray Hamlin also got in on the scoring with a breakaway of his own. That would cap off the scoring in the frame as the Express went to the room up by a pair. The Chiefs were given a charging penalty as time expired, so the Express looked to build on their lead with a powerplay to start the second.

The middle frame was a busy one, with each team getting some powerplay looks and a total of six goals being scored. The Chiefs’ potent powerplay looked dangerous in the frame and found a powerplay marker, while threatening for multiple others. Dixon found another powerplay goal for the Express to open the period. Hamlin also had a huge period as he added another two goals, including a shorthanded one, to give himself a hat trick through 40 minutes of play. After 40 minutes of play, the Express found themselves leading 5-3.

The Chiefs made it exciting in the third period as they almost clawed all the way back, but the Express ultimately held on to a 6-5 victory. The Express had some timely penalty kills in the final frame and held down the fort as much as they could against a relentless Chiefs’ offence.

This was a huge victory for the Express against one of the best teams in the league, and against a Chiefs team who they are developing a solid rivalry with, particularly over this three-game stint. They also found the victory without the services of key players such as Christian MacDougall, Kahlil Fontana, and Carter Cochrane. Additionally, head coach Brandon Shaw was also not behind the bench for the Express.

Hamlin and Dixon both chipped in hat tricks Friday night – Dixon has been huge for the Express since being acquired via trade, as he’s scored in three straight games and is up to five tallies as an Express.

The Train Station will host the second half of a back-to-back series between these two clubs Saturday night and one can certainly expect another emotional and exciting outing!

#AllAboard | #WeAreAllExpress