The Coquitlam Express found their scoring touch Sunday at the Bauer BCHL Showcase. The Express downed the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 9-4 Sunday at the weekend showcase in Chilliwack. Coquitlam opened the season Friday with a 5-2 loss to the Merritt Centennials.
"The guys played like we could. Friday we were nervous and we couldn't shake it," said coach Barry Wolff. "We played nervous all game and definitely didn't play our best. Sunday the guys were more relaxed and played as a team, played for each other and had success."
Joey Santucci, who spent last year with the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western Hockey League, paced the Express offence with a hat trick, while Corey Mackin chipped in two goals and an assist. Cameron Marks, Daniell Lange, Nicholas Rasovic and Bo Pieper rounded out the Express scoring.
"We do have good speed and when we use our speed it's going to be a huge advantage for us once we learn how to use it properly," said Wolff, adding it's not just the Express forwards who are capable of turning on the jets. "Most of our d-men can get around the sheet pretty good."
Gordie Defiel turned aside 26 shots in his first action with the Express, who led 5-3 after one and 7-4 after two. Defiel, a finalist for the Canadian Junior Hockey League goaltender of the year award last year, was picked up from the Brooks Bandits last week.
The Express held a 2-1 lead against the Cents with less than seven minutes remaining but let it slip away after surrendering three goals in a span of 54 seconds. Rasovic and Lange provided the scoring in Friday's loss. Pierce Dushenko made 28 saves in the Express net.
The Express have named Ryan Rosenthal as the new captain.
"From day one he's been the guy. He's mature, he's focused, he looked after the younger guys. He's been a leader on and off the ice," said Wolff. "The guys voted on it, and obviously we have [the final] decision, but it wasn't even close."
The 20-year-old forward spent last season with the University of Vermont. The assistant captain designation will be rotated among Matthew Berry-Lamontagna, Ben Israel, Shay Laurent, Santucci and Marc Biega.
The Express are back in action Sunday when they visit the defending Fred Page Cup champion Surrey Eagles.
"They play on Olympic ice, so it's going to be a new experience for a lot of our guys," said Wolff.
In order to get down to the final roster number the Express made a number of transactions late last week. Travis Stephens was moved to Trail in exchange for cash, while Mitch Fyffe was traded to Surrey and Will Cook went to Langley in exchange for future considerations.
