If you're wondering why the Coquitlam Express have gone from bottom feeders the last few seasons to first-place Coastal Conference contenders this campaign, head coach Jon Calvano has the point-blank answer.
"Depth."
The Express continued their late-season surge Wednesday when they ripped in three third-period goals to double the Nanaimo Clippers 6-3 in a B.C. Hockey League "playoff-type" battle before 1,007 fans at Poirier Sports Complex.
The 30-17-2-2 Express are 7-3 in their last 10 games -- including back-to-back wins over the second-place Kings in Powell River last weekend -- and have scored 207 goals in their 51 games so far, second only to the league-best Penticton Vees at 280.
With nine regular-season games remaining, Calvano is counting on his players to keep things rolling into the post-season.
"Our strategy is stay focused and get as far up the standings as we can so we can get home ice in the first round and maybe the second, too," said Calvano, whose fourth-place team sits just five points back of the conference-leading Surrey Eagles.
Against Nanaimo, Alex Petan, Clinton Atkinson and Eric Margo, into an empty net, were the triggermen as Coquitlam out-scored the visitors 3-0 in the final 20 minutes.
Malcolm McKinney, Mitch Nardi and Taylor Bourne also scored for the well-balanced Express.
"The biggest difference this year is all nine forwards can score," Calvano said.
The Express host the 27-17-2-5 Merritt Centennials on Friday at Poirier, 7 p.m.
