The Vitals
Game: Coquitlam Express vs Powell River Kings
Arena: Hap Parker Arena
Puck Drop: 7:00pm
Broadcast: Starting at 6:40pm on 95.7 SunFM
The Numbers
Kings This Season vs Express: 0-4-1
Last Meeting: Express won 4-1
Kings at Home: 18-2-1-1
Kings Last 10: 9-1-0-0
Express on the Road: 11-10-1-0
Express Last 10: 7-3-0-0
The Setup for the Kings
The Kings got a full 2 points this past weekend against a resilient Alberni side. Despite the two victories (one via a double OT penalty shot goal), there was still an air of disappointment around the team, and a feeling that the two games they played, were not necessarily ones they’re particularly proud of. Regardless, the end result was 4 points and that’s invaluable at this point in the season.
The Kings will put their season high 7-game win streak on the line against a side they have yet to defeat this season. That’s not due to a lack of opportunity, as the Kings held a 2-0 lead midway through the 1st in the last (and only) game at the Hap (this year), before collapsing during a 5-minute powerplay for the Express, in which the Coquitlam side buried 4 goals and turned the tables on the game. Even in the losses, in particular the 2-1 loss after the Christmas break, showed some positive signs for the Kings. There is no question the Kings can impose their will on the Express, but aside from that 10 minute stretch in that lone game in Powell River, we’ve yet to see it for extended periods of time.
Depth and the health of the Kings roster will no doubt help that cause. The team is only missing Tanner Cochrane, as he is still out, however, Jordan Paddock is scheduled to make his return to the side after being out a few weeks. Craig Dalrymple, who missed most of Sunday’s game against the Bulldogs when a puck hit him in the mouth, is fine, and will play tonight. In net, a safe bet would be seeing Sean Maguire tonight, and likely tomorrow as well, with Imoo starting again in Victoria on Sunday.
The Setup for the Express
The numbers in this season series, not surprisingly, favour the Express heavily. 9 of 10 points, and a deadly powerplay. 11/25 is my count of the Express powerplay against the Kings this season, in fact they have scored a powerplay goal in every game against Powell River this year, and more than 1 in 3 of the 5 contests. It’s safe to say…the powerplay is the big weapon for this side. Like the Kings, the Express rely on a quick start, trying to get the game’s first goal, and leading after 20. They have done all of this in 4 of the 5 games this season.
Alex Kerfoot has shon over Alex Petan in the season series, 9 points (4+5) in 5 games, with at least a point in each contest, means his is the quarterback to a Coquitlam offensive line. In net, it seems that either Khaleed Devji or Cole Huggins have great games against the Kings, and when one fails (Kings have chased the Express starter twice this year), the other comes in and steals the show. The Express are playing 3-in-3 this weekend too, so both will see action, I’m unsure of who goes tonight.
On the Broadcast
Continuing with our player profile segment, tonight JP Villeneuve has hit shot at the questions during our 1st intermission. In the 2nd break, Josh Statham will join us with The NHL According to Josh, talking all things hockey. Geoff Grimwood will join us in the post-game show, and we’ll give away another pair of tickets in our trivia contest of the night.
