Off to the Sunshine Coast are your Express as the Powell River Kings remain locked in their sights. You can never take any game for granted in the BCHL, but with the season the Express have put together so far, they will certainly be disappointed with less than four points when they head back to the Train Station.
The Powell River Kings have not had a great start to the 2024-2025 BCHL campaign. Offensively they have found some success, netting 50 goals so far, but their defence has been dismal. They own the second worst goal differential in the league and it has cost them on several occasions. All three of their netminders have a plus 3.5 GAA and below .900 save percentage. Needless to say, 75 goals allowed by them and the defence is not a recipe to win hockey games. If they want to search for a win than they need to take care of their own end first and hold fast. A piece of good news for the Kings is that the Express have been known to give up the first goal this season. Especially lately, Coquitlam have had to play from behind in several contests. Powell River need to try and strike early and often before the Express can get their feet truly underneath them.
Coquitlam have their work cut out for them tonight. They are playing a team that has struggled to keep the puck out of their own goal, so scoring will be at the forefront. Even more importantly will be shutting down the offensive talent on the other side. The Kings have found their scoring touch from both the forwards and defence so keep your head on a swivel no matter which number is coming up the ice. Axel Lofgren leads the way with seven goals on the season as a blueliner while Thomas Belzil has three goals and 11 assists up front.
A week of practice certainly helps iron out some of the kinks but the Express will be debuting two new players this weekend. Mason Kesselring and Jack Bakker were acquired in a trade last weekend that sent Jackson Krill and Sebastian Bradshaw to the Langley Rivermen. Any time you take two every-game guys out of the lineup and swap them for new additions, there will always be a feeling out process. The challenge for the coaching staff and team will be to successfully integrate them but the new guys will have a certain pressure about them. New situations mean a chance to prove yourself to a whole new group of teammates and fans.
So the keys to tonight’s game? Show up on time for the start of the game, don’t allow Powell River a chance to dig in early with a lead, and the new guys have to put their best self forward for their new team.
FLOHOCKEY BROADCAST (Choose the “Away” Audio)
– Ian Wilson
