The Coquitlam Express hosted the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Saturday night in what was their first meeting of this 2021-22 season.
The first period was a very evenly matched 20 minutes of play with neither team really taking control of the frame. The Capitals seemed to be playing a fairly passive 1-2-2 trap and the Express did a great job at penetrating the neutral zone and getting pucks in deep behind the Capital’s defenders. It was the Capitals who would jump out to a 1-0 lead, but the Express’ Christian MacDougall did what he did best and drove the net to find the equalizer in the second half of the period. The Express outshot the Capitals 12-11 in the period and the score would go into the break locked at 1-1.
The second period was much more open and offensive as a total of four goals would be tallied in the frame. Special teams really took hold of this period as each team got three looks on the powerplay – the Express tallied one powerplay goal courtesy of Jayden Sison and the Capitals buried a pair of their own. The Express outshot the Capitals 19-14 in the period and the score would head into the break locked at a 3-3 tie.
The third period featured a seemingly endless parade to the penalty box for each side as the Express would get another three powerplay opportunities in the third period. They would capitalize on the last one as the captain Arlo Merritt ripped home a one-timer from the top of the right circle and gave his team the lead. The Express would hang on to the lead and fend off the Capital’s late push before Shane Lavelle added an empty-netter with under a minute on the clock. The Express would go on to win this one 5-3!
The Express have been showcasing a lot of offensive depth as of late, highlighted by the recent emergence of Jayden Sison, who has now potted seven points in his last four outings. If they can keep that rolling, they will have a chance to win each and every night.
#AllAboard | #WeAreAllExpress
