The Coquitlam Express are back on the Island as they search for their fifth straight win! Tonight they’ve got the Victoria Grizzlies. Puck drop is at 7:00pm.
The Statistics
The Express come into this one 4-1 in their last five games while the Grizzlies enter tonight 3-2 in their last five. The Grizzlies have also lost their last two games.
If you look atop the BCHL scoring race, you’ll see two-thirds of the Grizzlies’ top line in Ellis Rickwood and the rookie phenom, Matthew Wood.
The Grizzlies are the second-highest scoring team in the Coastal Conference with 201 goals.
With that being said, the Express have been offensively potent themselves, averaging five goals per game over their last five games.
Keys to Victory
The biggest defensive key for the Express tonight is to shut down that aforementioned tandem of Wood and Rickwood – 32.8% of the Grizzlies’ goals this season have come off of their sticks. The Express have had success with this in the past – on February 4th, the Express defeated the Grizzlies 3-1 and held this duo off the scoresheet entirely.
Offensively, the Express need to continue what they’ve been doing – stretch out the ice and use their speed. This team generates a lot off of the rush, but also has the ability to cycle pucks down low and wear down their opponents.
The Express have been getting scoring from throughout their lineup, defence included, and continuing that will remain vital down the stretch.
The Lineup
Carter Cochrane and Jayden Sison both remain out with injuries. Blake Green draws into the lineup and takes Emmett McHardy’s spot.
Adam Manji will be in between the pipes for the Express. He’ll look for his sixth win of the season in this one tonight.
#AllAboard | #WeAreAllExpress
