The Express suffered their first loss of the season last night at the hands of their opponent today, the Chilliwack Chiefs. A season series that fans from both teams circle on their calendars at the beginning of each new BCHL campaign. It always provides drama, excitement, fisticuffs and a chance for both sides to test their mettle when it matters most. The coastal conference is full of talent this season and two of the teams perched at the top will duke it out again tonight.
The field of play shifts to Chilliwack’s barn and thus will feature a change in the pace and timing due to the rink size comparison. Despite the smaller confines of the Poirier yesterday, the Chiefs still stretched their legs and found room to skate. Case in point was the Dakota MacIntosh goal where Beaulieu set him up with a brilliant aerial feed that gave the veteran sniper room to attack on the wing and score in stride. The 3-1 win for Coquitlam in the home opener was partially due to the Express cutting down the speed of the Chiefs at critical times and keeping to a frustrating structure that saw Chilliwack’s momentum work against them. With the wide open ice at the Coliseum, that dedication to slowing down the opposition before that pace can build is crucial. Furthermore, limiting turnovers is paramount because Chilliwack will get out and run every chance they have off a mismanaged puck.
Coquitlam will also need to temper their frustrations with last night’s lack of scoring finish. If they hope to turn that around this evening they cannot afford to tighten up on their sticks and play stiff. The Konowalchuk goal was proof to the offensive gameplan and selfless style of play having its lethality. Bounces were not in favour of the Express on Friday, but perhaps the Hockey gods will smile more affably on Coquitlam this evening. The hardworking shall be rewarded and for your Express they certainly have that trait.
Losses are never fun to endure, but how they respond tonight will speak a great deal to the mental fortitude of this team. There is no greater chance to get the monkey off the back then against the team who coaxed it their. The discipline in all facets will be required to bounce back on the road in a tough barn. Especially when it comes to taking penalties. Last night saw the Express penalty kill go 5-5, which is a fantastic outcome, but they took five penalties. That’s a significant chunk of the game where Coquitlam are playing defence as opposed to generating offensive momentum.
Join the squad on the road in Chilliwack at the Coliseum for a 6PM PST puck drop or catch the broadcast online on FloHockey.
– Ian Wilson