Week 8 of the BCHL season was a busy and important one for the Coquitlam Express. Friday and Sunday featured two divisional matchups at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Centre, a venue that the Express have had trouble finding victories in to this point in the season. The red & white looked to improve upon the 2-4-1-0 record on home ice, and their first opportunity would come Friday against the Chilliwack Chiefs.
Friday marked the third meeting between the Express (8-4-1-0) and the Chiefs (9-3-1-1). Chilliwack held the upper hand in the season series, taking the first matchup 6-3, before the two teams skated to a 4-4 draw in the rematch. With a chance to draw even in the series, Coquitlam looked to get off to a quick start. Unfortunately, an early penalty by defensemen, Beau Orser, led to a powerplay strike by Austin Plevy, one-third of the Chiefs three-headed monster.
The second period was a chippy one, which saw a fight and ejection. Chilliwack earned a number of scoring opportunities, which Express goaltender, Cole Huggins was able to fend off, until the last 2 minutes of the frame. Plevy was able to put home his second of the game, followed quickly by another member of the Chiefs' top line, Josh Hansen, who's powerplay marker with 28 seconds remaining, put the Chilliwack up 3-0.
Chilliwack carried the momentum into the third period, when Keifer McNaughton was able to tuck in his first goal as a member of the Chiefs. Although the Express trailed from start to finish, forward Philip Zielonka provided an electrifying goal 2:52 into the final frame, breaking Mitch Gilliam's shutout.
Sunday's matchup, with the Langley Rivermen, provided the opportunity for the Express to attune for Friday's loss. The team would have to do so without top-six forwards, Alexander Kerfoot, Zachary Pryzbek and Brandon Morley, all of whom were in Calgary for Canada West tryouts.
Sporting pink jerseys, in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the Express literally looked like a different team. They almost seemed comfortable in these disguises, as they came out with a purpose. 8 minutes into the first period, a hard forecheck led to a loose puck in front of Langley goaltender, James Barr. Leading scorer, John Seimer, was able to pounce, and put the Express ahead 1-0.
Early in the second frame, similar pressure by the Express led to yet another turnover. Justin Georgeson found the loose puck and put in the second goal of the game over a sprawled Barr.
With their first victory on home ice in over a month within reach, Express captain, Mitch Nardi battled for a loose puck infront of the net and somehow managed to push the puck into the goal as he was brought down to the ice by a Langley defender. The insurance marker put the home squad ahead for good. Langley leading scorer, Mario Puskarich was able to break Cole Huggins' shutout half-way through the final period, when he converted Bo Pellah's sneaky pass from behind the net.
Sunday's victory kept the Express in third place in the Mainland Division, and only three points behind Chilliwack for second. With three road games this coming weekend, Coquitlam will look to continue to gain ground and extend their undefeated road streak.
Friday marked the third meeting between the Express (8-4-1-0) and the Chiefs (9-3-1-1). Chilliwack held the upper hand in the season series, taking the first matchup 6-3, before the two teams skated to a 4-4 draw in the rematch. With a chance to draw even in the series, Coquitlam looked to get off to a quick start. Unfortunately, an early penalty by defensemen, Beau Orser, led to a powerplay strike by Austin Plevy, one-third of the Chiefs three-headed monster.
The second period was a chippy one, which saw a fight and ejection. Chilliwack earned a number of scoring opportunities, which Express goaltender, Cole Huggins was able to fend off, until the last 2 minutes of the frame. Plevy was able to put home his second of the game, followed quickly by another member of the Chiefs' top line, Josh Hansen, who's powerplay marker with 28 seconds remaining, put the Chilliwack up 3-0.
Chilliwack carried the momentum into the third period, when Keifer McNaughton was able to tuck in his first goal as a member of the Chiefs. Although the Express trailed from start to finish, forward Philip Zielonka provided an electrifying goal 2:52 into the final frame, breaking Mitch Gilliam's shutout.
Sunday's matchup, with the Langley Rivermen, provided the opportunity for the Express to attune for Friday's loss. The team would have to do so without top-six forwards, Alexander Kerfoot, Zachary Pryzbek and Brandon Morley, all of whom were in Calgary for Canada West tryouts.
Sporting pink jerseys, in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the Express literally looked like a different team. They almost seemed comfortable in these disguises, as they came out with a purpose. 8 minutes into the first period, a hard forecheck led to a loose puck in front of Langley goaltender, James Barr. Leading scorer, John Seimer, was able to pounce, and put the Express ahead 1-0.
Early in the second frame, similar pressure by the Express led to yet another turnover. Justin Georgeson found the loose puck and put in the second goal of the game over a sprawled Barr.
With their first victory on home ice in over a month within reach, Express captain, Mitch Nardi battled for a loose puck infront of the net and somehow managed to push the puck into the goal as he was brought down to the ice by a Langley defender. The insurance marker put the home squad ahead for good. Langley leading scorer, Mario Puskarich was able to break Cole Huggins' shutout half-way through the final period, when he converted Bo Pellah's sneaky pass from behind the net.
Sunday's victory kept the Express in third place in the Mainland Division, and only three points behind Chilliwack for second. With three road games this coming weekend, Coquitlam will look to continue to gain ground and extend their undefeated road streak.
