Coquitlam Express 9 Victoria Grizzlies 2 in Coquitlam Jan 28, 2012

The Grizzlies went into Coquitlam and despite a depleted line-up and a terrible start competed extremely hard. The Grizzlies gave up a goal just 17 seconds into the game and were down 2-0 just 4:36 into the game as goaltender Nick Taylor made his first start as a Grizz replacing the injured Garrett Rockafellow. The Grizz competed hard and were rewarded with a goal on the power play by Chase Kaiser. The first unit power play for the Grizzlies has really been rolling since the addition of Kevin Smith. With Smith and Cam Lawson manning the points and Kaiser, Coltyn Hansen and Alex Holland up front the unit moves the puck well and appears to be getting some good chemistry going.

 However the theme of the game was anytime the Grizzlies scored the Express answered right back as Zach Hodder scored on an Express power play. The Grizzlies scored with 6 minutes to play in the first period as the red-hot Coltyn Hansen extended his goal scoring streak to 4 games and his point scoring streak to 8 games with a goal set-up by Myles Powell. The Express answered back again on a goal by Mitch Nardi to make it 4-2 after the first period. The game remained 4-2 for most of the second until the Express scored twice in the last 5 minutes of the period. The period ended with Jaden Schmeisser and Brady Shaw engaging in a scrap, Shaw started it and Schmeisser finished it. After battling in front of the net the 6’1” 200 pound Shaw gave the 6’2” 175 pound Schmeisser a couple of gloved punches in the face and then they dropped the gloves, despite being outweighed by 25 pounds Schmeisser controlled the fight and scored the decisive win. After a questionable call on Braxton Bilous for a check to the head the Grizzlies were forced to play the first part of the third with just 3 defencemen and the Express took advantage with a couple more goals by Alex Kerfoot and skilled captain Alex Petan. Taylor Pears made his Grizz debut and played the third period in place of Nick Taylor.





Powerplays: Victoria 1 for 3 and Coquitlam 2 for 5
Shots on goal: Coquitlam 45 and Victoria 18
Attendance: 1321
Game Thoughts Victoria: The Grizzlies never stopped competing and there are some positives to take out of this game, the first power play unit keeps rolling along, the chemistry developing between Hansen and Lawson bodes well for a strong line next year. Braxton Bilous was impressive in his first game back from an injury, looking confident with the puck and skating well. Jaden Schmeisser played his usual physical, abrasive style hitting anything moving in an Express uniform. Myles Powell played with good jump and was more physical then previous games, he also used his speed and skill to set up Hansen’s goal.