The Coquitlam Express hosted the Chilliwack Chiefs at the Train Station on Saturday night in what was the second half of a back-to-back stint between these two clubs!
The first period was a busy one as a total of six goals would be scored. Ryan Tattle opened the scoring for the Express with a beautiful shot from the slot, but the Chiefs responded with a goal of their own just 33 seconds later. The Chiefs would extend their lead just over five minutes into the period and then double that lead just a couple of minutes later with their first of two powerplay markers in the frame. Mateo Dixon redirected home a powerplay goal for the Express in response with his third powerplay goal in just two nights. The Chiefs would go on to add another powerplay goal with under a minute remaining in the period. After 20 minutes, the Chiefs found themselves 2/3 on the powerplay and up 4-2 as special teams continue to be a major factor between these two teams.
In the middle frame, the Express found the only goals and ended up knotting the game at four through 40 minutes. Ian Devlin found his first BCHL goal to get the Express within one and then it was Kahlil Fontana, in his return from injury, who tied the game up. The Chiefs got their fourth powerplay look in the period, but the Express killed it off to keep the game even at four. The Express played with a great pace in this period and their blueline was very active, which generated a lot of offence. They had the Chiefs pinned in their zone for healthy stretches of time and did a great job of taking away opportunities from the Chiefs’ deadly offence.
The third period started off very tentatively with both teams playing a passive style. However, the Express were given back-to-back powerplay opportunities six minutes into the period, and Dixon found his second powerplay goal of the contest just 12 seconds into the second look. The Chiefs pushed hard in the back half of the period, but the Express locked it down and held on just long enough for Dixon to put it out of reach with a hat-trick-securing empty-net marker. The Express would close out the game 6-4.
The Express once again won the special teams battle and ultimately won the game – the Express went 2/4 on the powerplay while the Chiefs went 2/5. Dixon has been absolutely clutch for this Express team on the powerplay – he’s potted four on the man advantage in his five games with the team.
The Express are back in action on the 26th when they visit the Coastal Conference-leading Langley Rivermen.
#AllAboard | #WeAreAllExpress
