The Coquitlam Express visited the Surrey Eagles Sunday afternoon and ended up losing the contest 5-2.
Much like their previous game, the Express deserved a fate much better than what is reflected on the scoreboard. They played a very solid hockey game and it was a pair of goals given up 1:43 apart late in the second period that was the dagger for the Express, as they were forced to start the third period trailing by two. The goals came after a very prominent surge by the Express, who were coming off of an unsuccessful five-minute man advantage. They’d get as close as 3-2, but the Eagles eventually pulled away courtesy of a weak penalty call against the Express.
Injured on the aforementioned five-minute penalty was goaltender Dylan Kruss, who was forced to leave the game after Eagles forward Holden Katzalay steamrolled him in the crease. Katzalay is expected to be handed down the mandatory two-game suspension for such a play. It is unclear if we will see Kruss in Monday evening’s game with the Powell River Kings, or if Jaden Little will get the nod.
The Express’ power play had their chances Sunday afternoon, but just couldn’t find a goal and ended up striking out and going 0/3. On the flip side of that coin, the Express’ penalty kill showed the promise that we’ve seen in their last two outings – they were perfect throughout the game, but ended surrendering a late one and finishing the game 3/4 on the kill. In their last three games, the Express have killed 13/14.
Following Sunday’s loss, the Express are now up to nine straight losses. Their next chance to snap the slide is Monday night in that aforementioned tilt with the Kings – puck drop is 8:00pm.
#allaboard
