The Express will descend upon Frank Crane Arena for the second time this season to tango with the Clippers. It is the third meeting overall between these sides with Coquitlam getting the upper hand in both prior contests. To say that the Express have had memorable games with Nanaimo is an understatement. First there was the seven goal outburst on October 25th, followed up by the Casino Night Overtime Winner on November 1st. There’s just some other gear that Coquitlam seems to find when the Clippers come calling.
Nanaimo will certainly have some momentum on their side ahead of tonight’s contest as they had a decisive 5-1 victory over Alberni Friday Night. That game included three powerplay goals for the league’s second best special teams unit. It cannot be stressed enough tonight how important it is for Coquitlam to keep their manners minded and stay out of the sin bin. Either that or the penalty kill will need to dig in and find a better outcome than they produced Friday. The opening two goals against in Victoria came with the man advantage, netting the Grizzlies a 2/3 rate on the evening. Yes, they were only credited with one but that is because the second powerplay goal was scored immediately as a penalized Coquitlam player had stepped back onto the ice.
The Express will need to channel their best 60 minute effort at Frank Crane. Last night they showcased what kind of team they can be in the middle frame but that has to be a version of themselves they put forward for more than 20 minutes a night. If some more of the missed opportunities go in during the first and third, perhaps the conversation shifts slightly. However it’s the intangibles outside of scoring that looked out of place as the Grizzlies pressed their advantages in those periods.
They can also ill afford to have a similar experience to their last visit to the Clippers’ home. It was 4-0 Nanaimo after the first back in late October and this Clippers team is different than that which they faced back in 2024. Nanaimo is 4-6 in their last 10 but have looked far more complete as they look to recover from their poor start to the 2024-2025 campaign. Give them an inch like the Bulldogs did and they are likely to take a mile this evening.
Last night there were a lot of positives you could take away from each line the Express fielded. All the returning players showcased why we missed them dearly and the fresh face of Carson McGinley made an excellent first impression. The opening game of 2025 might not have ended the way the Express hoped, but perhaps the building blocks are there for an impressive second half to the season after all.
All the action will be live on FloHockey just before 7PM PST. Or if you fancy a sailing today, come on down to Frank Crane and cheer on the boys!
FLOHOCKEY BROADCAST (Select “Away” Stream)
– Ian Wilson
