18-23-1-9 39-8-3-2
SEASON SERIES: This is the fifth meeting between Powell River and Coquitlam and final at the Coquitlam Sports Arena. The last meeting was January 7th in Powell River with the Kings winning 5-2. The Kings have won the previous four encounters over the Express. This two teams conclude their season series next Sunday in Powell River.
TEAM SCOPE
EXPRESS: Has the Express playoff train derailed? Coquitlam were defeated 5-2 at home on Wednesday by the Surrey Eagles. The loss is their fourth in their past five games. Making matter worse is injuries and illness to key players.
The Express were without Gerrick Perry as he has been sitting out with a upper body injury. Also in Wednesday's game Michael Krgovich, who has been the best Express player in the past five games, was missing due to the flu. Perry has been sidelined since a hit he took over a week ago I believe in a game against the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Also the Express will need leading scorer Massimo Lamacchia to turn things around if this team wants to secure the 7th and final playoff spot over Cowichan. Lamacchia hasn't registered a point since a two goal effort on January 22nd against Vernon. That's now four games without a point for number 23.
Team defense might be the achilles heel of late as well. In four of their past five games the Express have surrendered four plus goals. In fact, the Express have allowed 23 goals against in their last five games. Their team goals against average of 4.17 is only better then Prince George's 4.71. Playing better five on five will be the key tonight for the Express.
KINGS: Powell River comes in winners of their last four games and seven of their last nine. Last night's 3-0 win over Surrey was their 16th on the road this season. Out of all three Lower Mainland teams, the Kings road record is 7-1-2-0. Suffice to say the Kings enjoy their time in the Greater Vancouver area.
Contributing to the Kings success has been the turn around on their power-play. Last night the Kings scored two more power-plays goals and are now 6-12 in the past two games. The power-play has climbed from 10th to 8th and is sitting at just under 22 percent on the season.
However it isn't all good news for the Kings. In last night's third period Matt Garbowsky was given a five minute fighting major and that would make it the second fight in the same stoppage.
The Junior "A" Supplement ruling as follows:
Garbowsky did not receive an instigator so as it stands he would be serving a one game suspension. The issue at hand is he did not fight. The video shows Garbowsky, with his gloves on, wrestle with Colton Mackie of Surrey. Neither player every threw a punch in the scuffle. The team is awaiting word from the league if the call will be changed.
WHO'S HOT: If he does play, Garbowsky has a chance to extend his goal streak to five games and point streak to six. Garbowsky has 12 points in his last five games. Cohen Adair is also on a four game scoring streak and has six points in the last five games. Jon Jutzi's goal last night extends his point streak to four games as well. Chad Niddery has nine points (3-6-9) in his last five games. Mike Garteig needs one more shut out to claim the single season record with eight.
Michael Krgovich is the hottest Express player of late. Krgovich has four goals and five points in as many games. Destry Straight has one goal and four points in the same stretch and Jason Grecica has two goals and four points.
INJURY / SUSPENSIONS: Dan Schuler (Upper Body) remains out for the Kings. No word as of yet if Garbowsky will be suspended. Gerrick Perry has been nursing an upper body injury and will be questionable.
STAT PACK: Matt Garbowsky surpassed the 100 point plateau last Sunday versus Victoria
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