WILD WEEKLY PREVIEW – JAN. 7-8, 2022
The Wenatchee Wild hit the road this weekend after closing out 2021 by winning six of their last seven games. Friday night the Wild visit the Coquitlam Express (7-15-3, 8th Place Coastal Conference) at 7 pm, then Saturday night at 7 pm the Wild are in Chilliwack to face the Chiefs (15-8-2, 3rd Place, Coastal Conference). It’s the only meetings of the year between these teams. Live video coverage will be available on bchltv.com with live radio coverage on NewsRadio 560 KPQ.
Wenatchee (9-11-5, 7th place Interior Conf.) is led in scoring by Ean Somoza (6g, 19a) followed by Cade Littler (11g, 13a) and Owen Bohn (12g, 10a). Goaltender Tyler Shea (7-5-3, 2.83 GAA, .897 save pct.) gets the bulk of the work with support from Andy Vlaha.
COQUITLAM: The Express are coming off a harsh 7-0 home loss to Nanaimo on Jan.2 and are just 3-7-2 in their home building this season. The Wild are 7-4-0 all time in Coquitlam’s Poirier Sports and Leisure Center, and 16-4-0 overall. The Express are led offensively by fourth year forward Ryan Tattle (7g, 15a). The Express are an older team overall, with two ’04 birth year players and one ’05. By comparison, Wenatchee has eight ‘04s.
CHILLIWACK: The Chiefs opened their 2022 calendar year with a 4-3 win at Langley followed by a 3-2 shootout loss at Surrey on Sunday. The Wild have had their hands full in Chilliwack over the years, going just 2-7-1 there. The Wild last played in Chilliwack over two years ago, in September 2019. Second year forward Cameron Johnson drives the Chiefs offense with 11 goals and 22 assists. Goalie Grant Riley sports an 11-5-1 record with a 2.39 GAA and .905 save pct.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
| Power Play | Penalty Kill |
| CHW 30.0% 1st | CHW 84.7% 2nd |
| WEN 28.7% 3rd | WEN 83.3% 4th |
| COQ 20.0% 12th | COQ 71.4% 17th |
The following week the Wild visit Trail on Wednesday and Cranbrook on Thursday before returning home to meet the Penticton Vees on Sat Jan. 15. For all games, live video coverage will be available on bchltv.com with live radio coverage on NewsRadio 560 KPQ.
Tickets available now for all 16 remaining home games at Town Toyota Center. Ask about group discounts! Call 888-7825 or visit WenatcheeWildHockey.com
Follow the Wild all year long on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Official website: wenatcheewildhockey.com
