While the result was not what the Express were hoping for, it was an incredible afternoon at the Train Station. Over 2000 screaming kids packed the Poirier and made it the loudest building in the Lower Mainland. They had some big goals and big hits to cheer for, but Coquitlam came up just shy in this one with Surrey competing well for the full 60 minutes.
Nick Wellenreiter was the first to get the fans on their feet with a break in behind the defence. He waited out Maddox Osaka and elevated the backhand shot over the sprawling netminder. The Eagles answered back as Sihwan Kim got lost off a faceoff draw and with a bit of will and determination also waited out Eric Young to slide one home. The opening 20 minutes were exciting with both teams finding their stride and generating quality opportunities back and forth. The Express were still without the services of Max Pendy, Liam Loughery and now Sebastian Bradshaw so they called up Ryder Riedel from the Coquitlam HC 18U squad. He is a familiar face who started the year on the squad before being reassigned to ensure he had plenty of playing time. Leo Eperjesi and Nate Crema made their returns to the lineup but still appeared not quite at their usual pace.
The lone goal of the second period came on the powerplay for the Eagles. A bit of insult to injury in this case as the Eagles powerplay came into the night converting at 11% overall. Ryan White teed up a one time slapshot from the line and his blast beat Eric Young who was screened. Coquitlam found some chances, including a Nate Crema breakaway, but couldn’t solve the young former Langley Trapper.
Less than two minutes into the third, Joseph Odyniec asserted himself and took the puck from below the goal line to the front of the net. In the process he shrugged off multiple checks from Surrey players and beat Osaka to tie the game. From then onwards the Express looked great, outshooting the Eagles and getting multiple great looks at the goal, both on the rush and in set zone plays. The player they couldn’t best was Osaka. He saved some of his best work for the final frame and made huge, key denials to ensure that Surrey had their chance to win. Brady Kudrick would find a backbreaker immediately following a powerplay where Coquitlam spent nearly the entire two minutes in Surrey’s end. The Express turned the puck over as Massimo Fazio was getting back to defence coming out of the penalty box. He generated the play that sent Rocha and Kudrick down ice to go ahead for good. Kudrick then added the empty netter at the finale with some great hustle to track down the puck in Coquitlam’s end.
This was a solid game from start to finish. Competitive and entertaining for the large crowd on hand and lots of memories were made for the kids that came from across the Lower Mainland. The Express got the looks the offence needed but they couldn’t capitalize when it mattered as they again suffered from the offence and defence not thriving at the same time.
Up next for Coquitlam is a Friday Night home matchup with the Nanaimo Clippers.
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER – Joseph Odyniec
MARINER BREWING THREE STARS
3rd – SUR – Sihwan Kim – 1G 1A
2nd – SUR – Maddox Osaka – 30 Saves on 32 Shots – 1st BCHL Win
1st – SUR – Brady Kudrick – 2G 1A – Game Winning Goal
– Ian Wilson
