The Coquitlam Express returned to home ice in style with a 7-1 victory over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, with one of their biggest crowds of the season on hand to watch it.
The Silverbacks were in the game early but once Coquitlam got rolling, there was no looking back. Ryan Rosenthal opened the scoring for Coquitlam with a ferocious rush down the right wing, before roofing a shot over the glove of Salmon Arm goalie, Angus Redmond. The response came from star Silverbacks forward and the BCHL's top scorer Landon Smith. Smith did not wait long to introduce himself to the 750 plus on hand at the PSLC, scoring at the 17 minute mark of the First Period from what seemed to be an impossible angle. The Express however, had a response of their own exactly two minutes later when Bo “Dangles” Pieper took a feed from his brother Canon and gave Coquitlam the lead heading into the first break.
From the start of the Second on, it was all Coquitlam as Corey Mackin started a string of five straight goals. Ryan Rosenthal added his second tally of the night a few minutes later on a shorthanded breakaway. On that very same Silverbacks power play, Express net-minder Gordie Defiel was instrumental, making a key save off the stick of Bryden Marsh to keep the momentum on his team's side.
Mackin's second goal of the game came late in the Second Period and tallies from Cody Boyd and Cannon Pieper in the Third, resulted in a convincing 7-1 score line at the final horn.
After the game, Express captain Rosenthal stressed the importance of leading by example, saying “It's probably the biggest thing, we have a lot of young guys in their first year in the league, obviously I try my best to work my hardest and lead they way.” Rosenthal finished the night off with two goals and an assist, earning him the first star of the night.
The Express now have a few days off before taking on a potential playoff opponent, the Langley Rivermen on Tuesday. However, with their recent spell of good play, the skipper believes that his team is up for the task. “It's huge for us to have a few wins towards the end of the season and really come together”, added Rosenthal.
