Skip to content

Coquitlam Express to host three preseason games ahead of 2021-22 season. How many fans can watch?

The BCHL team will also play three friendlies on the road, but the number of fans that can attend remains in limbo with COVID-19 cases on the rise.
0429-Express 5w
Coquitlam Express goalie Dylan Kruss and defenceman Will Dow-Kenny battle to prevent a scoring opportunity by Surrey Eagles forwards Buddy Johnson and Gabe Schovanek in the second period of their BC Hockey League game, Monday at the Scotia Barn in Burnaby. Surrey won the game, 6-2. | Mario Bartel, Tri-City News

How many fans will get to watch Coquitlam Express games when exhibition and regular-season play rolls into the station?

That's the question likely to be asked by many as the BC Hockey League (BCHL) released its preseason schedule this week, which will see the black and gold play six friendlies against regional franchises within the Coastal Conference.

This is set to include three on home ice at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex. The full schedule is as follows:

  • Sept. 20, 4 p.m. at Surrey Eagles
  • Sept. 21, 7:15 p.m. at Langley Rivermen
  • Sept. 22, 7 p.m. vs. Merritt Centennials
  • Sept. 24, 7 p.m. vs. Surrey Eagles
  • Sept. 29, 7 p.m. vs. Langley Rivermen
  • Oct. 1, 6 p.m. at Chilliwack Chiefs

The 2021-22 BCHL season is currently slated to start Oct. 8 when the Express trek out to Surrey; their first home game is a week later, Aug. 15, against Chilliwack.

RESTART PLAN IN LIMBO

Now, in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic, the province is scheduled to move into Step Four of its restart plan after Labour Day on Sept. 7.

However, with lab-confirmed infections on the rise in multiple regions — including weekly local health area cases the Tri-Cities nearing triple-digits for the first time in four months — provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says it may not be a surprise if B.C. doesn't advance to Step 4 in September.

"It's very likely that we won't be seeing a move to any more loosening of restrictions in the near term," she said, adding that the province has met its immunization targets, but case numbers and hospitalizations remain high.

B.C. reported 663 new cases of COVID-19 Friday (Aug. 20), including 162 in Fraser Health. More than half of the 6,345 active cases were in the Interior Health region. 

The province said 129 people are in hospital, 59 of whom are in intensive care. There has also been one new death, bringing the death toll to 1,785.

Dr. Henry has also said the spike in infection is primarily among those who are unvaccinated or living in low-transmission areas.

HOW MANY FANS COULD WATCH HOCKEY IN THE FALL?

If B.C. improves over the next two weeks and is able to move into Step Four of its restart plan, sports like hockey would be able to welcome back fans at an unknown increased capacity.

If it's delayed and Step Three remains in effect, facilities like the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex will be able to house a 50% seated capacity.

With 2,200 seats available for Express games, this means about 1,100 people could potentially watch and cheer on Coquitlam's junior 'A' franchise when the September exhibition contests begin.

“The importance of getting vaccinated is so that we can get back to normalcy,” said Express general manager Tali Campbell in an earlier news release.

“For us, that means reopening our arena to get fans back in the building.”

GET A SHOT, SCORE A TICKET

In early May, the Coquitlam Express unveiled a ticketing program that awards a free game voucher to fans who can prove they've received a COVID-19 vaccination.

Campbell said during the announcement that by providing encouragement for everyone to get vaccinated, it might help speed the timeline along to get fans of all ages back into the arena for the franchise's 20th season.

Fans can claim their voucher by sending a photo of their vaccination card to tali@coquitlamexpress.ca.

- with files from Mario Bartel, Tri-City News, and The Canadian Press