The Coquitlam Express hosted the visiting Surrey Eagles in a late-night clash Monday night at Scotia Barn and unfortunately fell short with a final score of 6-2.
Through 20 minutes, this one was up for grabs – each team added a pair and no team really seemed to showcase an advantage. Notably, Express blueliner Jackson Murphy-Johnson found the scoresheet for the first time this season, as he jumped in on the rush and found the back of the net. Hopefully, this will serve as a confidence booster moving forward for the smooth-skating Burnaby product.
The second frame was the killer for the Express, as they surrendered two power play goals to the league’s best man advantage. Their coverage in the defensive end was lackadaisical and the Eagles took advantage of their opponents’ flat feet.
The Eagles would go on to add another pair in the third and final period, including their third power play goal of the evening – they went 3/5 in this contest and have capitalized on an astonishing 14 of their last 25. The Express did show a new look on the penalty kill tonight, sending out the tandem of Danny Pearson and Ryan tattle – the duo looked solid, mostly because they were the ones with offensive possession while they were on the ice. Look for this pair to be on the kill more frequently moving forward, as they were buzzing regularly for a shorthanded bid.
Something to keep an eye out for is the status of netminder Dylan Kruss who seemed to be favouring his left leg for the majority of the third period. To his credit, he gutted out the game and showed his desire to stay between the pipes. Luckily for Kruss and The Express, they are heading into a two-day break before they get back in action. We’ll keep you updated on Kruss’ status as the next game draws closer.
The Express will have a chance at some redemption on the 29th when they host the Eagles for their eighth meeting of the season.
#allaboard
