If you haven’t hosted a team in over four years, when they do come knocking on your doorstep you better make it a spectacle. Tonight’s game was that, but in a non flashy way. Both teams went out and grinded this one for all it was worth. 60 minutes couldn’t solve it. Overtime couldn’t solve it. This one needed a shootout.
Two teams with different recent outlooks came into this game and the purpose was present as both sides threw spirited jabs in the first period. The Smoke Eaters, winners of four of their last five, held the advantage through the frame. They came out on fire and outshot the Express 14-3 through 20 minutes while showcasing their speed and physicality. It isn’t often that a team can claim to hold a level of speed and forechecking ability that rivals Coquitlam. Trail was that team in the first period.
The Smokies capped off their excellent opening frame with a goal that came at the most heartbreaking of times. They always say the worst goals to give up come in the final minute. How about a goal in the final five seconds? Max Potvin stole the puck as the Express attempted to clear it across the blueline, walked around a couple defenders and somehow shoveled the puck upstairs on the backhand with no space remaining. Pretty stuff for the veteran making his much-anticipated return to the lineup.
Things really opened up in the second period as Coquitlam were able to get their footing underneath them. Trail would strike first however as Adam Marshall received a pass down the near wing on a two-on-one before ripping a snapshot past Ethan Simcoe to realize a 2-0 Smoke Eaters lead.
The Express didn’t tuck their tail between their legs and sulk, they would get to work. The intensity picked up greatly during the second and the puck possession numbers reflected that. Coquitlam worked the puck down to Trail’s end and kept it their multiple times before Ben Snyderman brought the Poirier to its feet. The Glencoe Illinois product used his speed to power down the right side of the offensive zone after corralling a loose puck and his wrist shot made it through traffic to ripple the twine. The excitement from his teammates was palpable as they grabbed the puck for his first career BCHL goal.
Mathieu Cobetto-Roy halted the Express’ momentum briefly less than three minutes later as he netted his 20th off an unfortunate bounce for Jake Manfre. Manfre tried to play the puck as it was crossing in front of the Express goal and he inadvertently set it up on a silver platter for Cobetto-Roy to bury upstairs.
The Express’ powerplay struggles have been well documented as of late. They have been working with different sets and unique combinations of players to get something to stick. It’s certainly starting to click with goals both last Friday against Cowichan and again tonight against the Smokies. Michael Rubin would notch his second powerplay goal in three games as he shot the puck from the high slot and it deflected off Lucas Lemieux’ skate past Ryan Parker.
Fast forward to just under three minutes into the third and the Express’ shutdown line introduced themselves to the score sheet. Sebastian Bradshaw, Cale Colwell and Nate Crema came together to play a solid game for the Express. They left their signature on the third when Crema broke into the Trail zone and sent a backhand saucer feed towards the front of the goal that Bradshaw went and emphatically sent home. The Dallas Stars draft pick now has five on the season.
Both sides traded blows for the remainder of the third, with both penalty kill units being bent but not broken. Several chances went either way but the Express again outshot the Smokies 15-8. The Express manufactured a solid momentum swing off the tying goal but just couldn’t coerce the puck past Parker again.
Overtime was needed as the teams lined up for 10 minutes of 3-on-3 spectacle. Simcoe and Parker switching ends for one final time. The Express held the lion’s share of puck possession throughout the extra frame. They challenged the Smoke Eaters several times, and even earned a powerplay just over seven minutes in.
The moment of the game came from Ethan Simcoe. Trail caught the Express changing and accelerated hard for a 2-on-1 break. Lucas Lemieux sent a pass across perfectly for Ridge Dawson, only for him to be denied by the desperation extension of Simcoe’s right pad. The pride of Lac du Bonnet used to catlike reflexes to get his blocker and pad in position to stop a tap in for the game.
To the shootout this game would go.
Four rounds were needed as the Smoke Eaters were able to beat Simcoe twice, but not the post. Mathieu Cobetto-Roy was able to find the five hole on Simcoe as the second shooter to keep things alive for Trail after Mathew Frost had sent Parker sliding on the other end with a nifty backhand forehand deke. The winner in the skills competition came from Christian Kim who hit the third post of the shootout for the Smokies but it went post and in. Matheson Mason sent a shot off the side of the goaltenders mask to end the shootout and give Trail the extra point.
Despite being overworked for decent stretches of this game, the Express still outshot the Smoke Eaters 38-34 overall in this one. The edge for dangerous chances goes to Trail though with a large tip of the hat to Ethan Simcoe who was huge for the Express opening puck drop to final whistle.
Talking with Associate Coach Jeff Wagner post game the frustration was clear to see as this team feels they should be in a much better position than they are. Plenty of soul searching still awaits as they try to find ways to stay committed for an entire 60-minute effort. While they have had positive stretches, the buckle down and get to work factor needs to be kicked up a few more notches. To sum it up, the Express felt they did not play to their identity tonight. When this team is out there in the trenches, working hard, forechecking, grinding opposing teams into the ground, and then capitalizing on the remains with their speed and aggression, that’s the team that wins hockey games. That’s the Express we wait to see rise again.
Coquitlam will have little rest following this marathon of a game as they host the Cowichan Capitals once again, Saturday night at 7pm.
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER – Ben Snyderman
MARINER BREWING 3 STARS
3rd – COQ – Jackson Krill – 2A
2nd – TRL – Patrick Reilly – 2A
1st – TRL – Mathieu Cobetto-Roy – 1G and Shootout Goal
– Ian Wilson
