It’s not the kind of welcome newcomer goalie Andrew Ness wanted joining the Coquitlam Express.
The former Penticton Vees netminder, who was acquired by the Express on Monday, allowed seven goals in his debut with his new team in a 7-1 loss to the Vernon Vipers, Wednesday, Nov. 27, at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
Ness was half of the BC Hockey League’s best goaltending duo with Penticton creasemate Will Ingemann last season but he was released by the team earlier in November after appearing in just five games.
The Vipers came into the game with just seven wins in 21 games but took control right from the opening face-off.
Vernon scored twice in the first period and four times in the second before Thomas Zocco got the Express on the scoreboard 11:10 into the third period.
Shea Busch rounded out the scoring for the Vipers with his 12th goal of the season with just over five minutes left to play.
Ness faced 33 shots while his teammates fired 28 at Vernon goalie Jari Kykkanen.
The loss was the third in a row for Coquitlam, which now sits in fourth place in the BCHL’s Coastal Conference, two points behind the third-place Victoria Grizzlies and two ahead of the Langley Rivermen in fifth place.
The Express close out the month Nov. 29 with a game against the Prince George Spruce Kings, 7 p.m., at Poirier.
Frandina an all-star
Coquitlam defenseman Sam Frandina is among the first cohort of players announced for the BCHL's All-Star weekend to be held in Salmon Arm in January.
Frandina has two goals and eight assists in 23 games.
"He has had a great start to the year for us and he’s an exciting player to watch," said Express coach Jeff Wagner in a news release. "He puts in the work everyday and sets a high standard for our group."
Frandina, 20, is committed to attend St. Lawrence University next year.
