Aug. 25 – The Express kicked off their preseason schedule with a home-and-home exhibition series against the Langley Rivermen. Both games proved to be entertaining, as roster hopefuls laid it on the line to make a first impression on the respective coaching staffs. The Rivermen were able to take both games by the scores of 4-1 and 3-0.
Langley played host on Saturday night to an Express squad that featured 6 returning players from last year’s team. A bustling Langley Sportsplex saw the Rivermen jump out to an early 2-0 lead with goals from Matt Ustaski an Kevan Kilistoff. Coquitlam was able to cut the lead in half late in the 2nd Period, when Adam Rockwood pounced on a rebound at the side of the net. That would be all the offence the Express could mount as Langley would go on to wrap up the 4-1 victory.
16 hours later, the 2 teams found themselves facing off in a rematch, this time in front of full Rec. Arena at the Train Station. For the 2nd game in a row, Coach Barry Wolff iced a roster predominately made up of new faces to the organization. It took more than 40 minutes before either team could put the puck in the net, with special recognition going to Express goaltender, Pierce Dushenko, who turned away all 10 shots he faced.
Langley would break the deadlock early in the 3rd. They would go on to rattle off 2 more goals within 9 minutes, and secure the 3-0 lead that became the final.
The Express will head back to the drawing board at practice tomorrow in preparation for a Tuesday night showdown with the Chilliwack Chiefs. Tuesday’s game is at 7:00pm in Hope at the Hope & District Rec. Center. The next home game is the preseason finale on Friday, August 30th, 8:00pm, against the Powell River Kings.
Langley played host on Saturday night to an Express squad that featured 6 returning players from last year’s team. A bustling Langley Sportsplex saw the Rivermen jump out to an early 2-0 lead with goals from Matt Ustaski an Kevan Kilistoff. Coquitlam was able to cut the lead in half late in the 2nd Period, when Adam Rockwood pounced on a rebound at the side of the net. That would be all the offence the Express could mount as Langley would go on to wrap up the 4-1 victory.
16 hours later, the 2 teams found themselves facing off in a rematch, this time in front of full Rec. Arena at the Train Station. For the 2nd game in a row, Coach Barry Wolff iced a roster predominately made up of new faces to the organization. It took more than 40 minutes before either team could put the puck in the net, with special recognition going to Express goaltender, Pierce Dushenko, who turned away all 10 shots he faced.
Langley would break the deadlock early in the 3rd. They would go on to rattle off 2 more goals within 9 minutes, and secure the 3-0 lead that became the final.
The Express will head back to the drawing board at practice tomorrow in preparation for a Tuesday night showdown with the Chilliwack Chiefs. Tuesday’s game is at 7:00pm in Hope at the Hope & District Rec. Center. The next home game is the preseason finale on Friday, August 30th, 8:00pm, against the Powell River Kings.
