When Barry Wolff took over the head coaching duties for the Coquitlam Express a year ago this week, the team was floundering.
The club had missed the playoffs when the B.C. Hockey League regular season wrapped up and only the Cowichan Valley Capitals had a worse record.
Fast-forward 12 months and Wolff is celebrating his first year at the helm of the BCHL junior 'A' hockey club with a trip to the Fred Page Cup Championship, which begins in Vernon this weekend.
So what has gone right for the coach and his team this season?
"We've won some games," he said. "We have new staff. New players. A new attitude. It is what it is."
The team has also done well on the recruiting front. Only three players are still on the roster from last season and many of the new additions have helped make Coquitlam a top-tier club.
Team captain Ryan Rosenthal has bolstered his team's offence while Canon Pieper has also cracked the BCHL's top ten scoring list during the regular season. Brother Bo Pieper was not far behind in the 15th spot, with 59 points.
Adam Rockwood, one of the holdovers from last season, is having a career year, scoring 13 goals and 61 assists during the regular season.
The offence has been bolstered by a steady defensive squad backstopped Gordie Defiel. He may not have the best save percentage in the league and his regular season goals against average is ranked 24th, but he has been relied upon to make the stops when they are needed.
His numbers have also been steadily improving since the start of the playoffs, registering a 2.65 goals against average and the best save percentage out of any goalie in the post season.
"He has been unreal," said Wolff said. "He has really raised his level and he competes hard every game."
The Express have also had a bit of luck to bolster their skill. Wolff's team has managed to avoid the injury bug, which can be devastating for teams looking to go far in the post-season.
"We haven't had anything serious," he said. "A few bumps and bruises. That is a big part of any playoff success - staying healthy and getting the bounces."
But if there is one thing the Express don't have, it's experience.
With a relatively fresh roster mixed with the fact the team missed the post-season last year, the playoffs have been uncharted territory for most of the Express players.
Wolff said he works to keep things loose in practice and help calm the nerves of some of his team, particularly those that have not been to a championship before.
"No question, we don't have a whole lot of playoff experience in that room," he said. "Every series we have come out a bit nervous. Definitely they are excited, but we try and keep things a little loose."
