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GAME PREVIEW: Coquitlam Express November 25th

Venue: Rolling Mix Concrete Arena

Game Time: Friday November 25th @7pm

A tie is the closest the Coquitlam Express have come to defeating the Prince George Spruce Kings. In the Spruce Kings largest attendance of the year, they came up with a 3-3 draw against the Express who were missing a number of key players. Since that game, Prince George is 5-2-1-0, while Coquitlam is 0-9. The last time Coquitlam won a game was October 21st in a 5-4 upset over the Wenatchee Wild where the Express had just 10 shots all game.

The Spruce Kings have been hot at home lately, with points in their last seven games. Since September 29th, they’ve lost just once at home, and that was a 1-0 defeat where they outshot the Powell River Kings 51-21. With a rocky start, the Spruce Kings are 9-6-0-2 in the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena, but are 9-1-0-1 in the last 11.

This game will be the fourth of the year for the two teams. Prince George tied and won at home, then two weeks ago picked up a victory in Coquitlam. They have outscored the Express 15-8 in three games. Tavin Grant has played in all three games against the Express, stopping 51 of the 51 shots he faced.

Prince George was 0 for 9 on the PP against the Express going into Coquitlam, but were 2 for 3 in the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre. Coquitlam is 2 for 13 against the Spruce Kings, and were 1 for 8 in the last game.

 

PLAYER PREVIEW – DREW LENNON

 

BROADCAST LINKS

WATCH on HockeyTV

LISTEN on Mixlr

 

STANDINGS:

Prince George has 27 points in 25 games which is good for third in the Mainland Division. Last season the team had just 34 points all season, so Prince George is set for a big jump. The Spruce Kings are getting it done in both ends of the rink as their 97 goals for is 5th best in the league, while 84 goals agaisnt puts them seventh in the BCHL. The home team also has been a well behaved bunch, as they are the fourth least penalized team in the league.

Injuries have done the Coquitlam Express no favours. Their 14 points in 27 games are dead last in the BCHL. 59 goals for is last in the BCHL, and 127 against is nine higher than the second worst team.

 

WHO TO WATCH:

PRINCE GEORGE:

Keegan Ward – FWD: Since being acquired from the Omaha Lancers, the Spruce Kings hulking forward will finally slot into the lineup. He was serving a suspension from the USHL, and wasn’t able to play until this week. Four points in the last two and half seasons may not have goalies quivering, but his 243 PIM will have Express players keeping an eye on him when he’s on the ice. Ward expects to be a big player that can clear space for his line-mates

Brett Mennear – FWD: It’s tough not to have Mennear as a player to watch in every game he plays. The Spruce Kings captain is an absolute warrior, and after a two game point drought on the road two weeks ago, Mennear responded with two assists in each of the games last week.

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Coquitlam:

Erik Udahl – FWD: After joining Boston University last year, Udahl came back to the Express late into this season. The team has drastically needed him with a number of key players injured, and he has replied in force with seven points in six games. He had two assists in the game he played the Spruce Kings this year, and is coming off a two goal performance against the Surrey Eagles.

Cal Babych – FWD: The former Prince George Cougar will make his final trip to Prince George this season. Babych has three assists in three games against the Spruce Kings this season, and will be counted on to find the back of the net if his team is to come out with two points tonight.

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Spruce Kings vs Salmon Arm Silverbacks – Friday November 26th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena

Spruce Kings vs Chilliwack Chiefs – Thursday December 1st, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena

Spruce Kings vs Victoria Grizzlies – Friday December 2nd, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena

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