The goal drought continues for the Express as they fall by a 3-0 score to the Langley Rivermen on Women in Sport Night. The Rivermen pick up an incredibly crucial two points in the final weeks of the campaign on the same night the teams chasing them also garnered points.
The Express continue their recent streak of goal scoring struggles with a blanking by a Langley side that came ready to play. Sometimes getting the puck across the goal line comes down to skill, but there’s also the puck luck component. Langley took advantage of the opportunities they were given and ran with them. Then the defence got in the way at the right times to hold fast and help Mason Beaupit to his second career BCHL shutout.
Coquitlam couldn’t buy a goal this evening. Several opportunities they earned had the Rivermen scrambling in their own zone and the puck just refused to encroach upon the goal line. One-timers were let loose that found bodies in front, Rivermen sticks found tie ups and poke checks at just the perfect moment, and Mason Beaupit had himself a 37 save performance that he’ll certainly remember for awhile.
The three Rivermen goals also came at timely intervals. The game remained scoreless through 20 minutes with the Express getting the early edge in dictating pace. Starting off a new period with a goal can change the complexion of a game in a hurry and that’s exactly what transpired when Langley opened the scoring 1:01 into the second.
Dalton MacGillivray finished off a great shift of working the puck hard down low into the Coquitlam zone with a sharp pass into the slot that Ethan Riesterer wired home through Ethan Simcoe. Coquitlam got caught napping on the play as the Richmond, BC product was left wide open in the slot when the defence dropped down to help against MacGillivray. Riesterer earned second star honours in this game due to not only his game winning goal but also his 200 foot game from whistle to whistle.
Goal number two for the Langley side came from their Captain, Vitaly Levyy, making a quick play behind the goal and catching Simcoe checking the wrong shoulder. The wraparound found its way home and gave the Rivermen a much desirable advantage. Coquitlam continued to push back and drive the flow of play, but the score remained 2-0 through 40 minutes.
In the third period the great hockey continued with Coquitlam and Langley trading blows at either end but the defence and goaltending held up. Blocked shots were plentiful on either side as the puck had a knack for finding legs and sticks on its way to the netminders.
It all came down to the extra attacker and the Express gave it their best shot, earning offensive zone time and just barely missing converting on some great chances. Langley worked the puck out the other way and off a deflection caused by the forecheck, Dalton MacGillivray iced the game with his fifth of the season.
Women in Sport Night for the Express may have not yielded the scoreline we had hoped for, but it was still a fantastic evening. Elizabeth Irving’s rendition of the anthem was amazing, Caroline Frolic’s work on the PA mic dazzled and the drop of the puck by Heather Fox was a heartwarming moment. Another huge thank you goes out to the lines officials for the game, Colleen Geddes and Katie Glover, for working the evening and for being willing to speak with me before the game about their passion for officiating. As well, to Cambree Lovesey for providing a wonderful and insightful interview about her journey in sport and the impact women can have on each other and the sport community.
The Express head out on the road for the next few weekends. First up is a trip to the interior to face Cranbrook and Salmon Arm followed by an island swing against Victoria and Cowichan. They finish the month back at home with a double header against the Grizzlies.
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER – Nate Crema
MARINER BREWING THREE STARS
3rd – LAN – Vitaly Levyy – 1G
2nd – LAN – Ethan Riesterer – 1G
1st – LAN – Mason Beaupit – 37 Save Shutout
– Ian Wilson
