Hayward expecting challenge from Express

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“We were a little slow out of the gate and our energy and compete levels were the lowest I’ve seen all year and that’s what makes our team tick,” said Maglio. “We can beat any team in this league and our expectation is to win every game and it is disappointing when a team travels up and beats you in your own rink. This is a big weekend for us to rebound against a divisional opponent.”

Looking at the BCHL Mainland Division standings, the Spruce Kings (12-10-2-3, fourth place) shouldn’t have any trouble with the Express (3-19-1-1, fifth in the Mainland, second-worst in the BCHL). Hayward knows Coquitlam is a better team than that and expects two tough games.

“We have to be way more cautious of them than their record, they’ve just got a bunch of new players and the guy they got for me, Nik Holowko, is a pretty good WHL veteran,” he said.

“These are huge games against a division rival and every point we get we’re taking away from them. We’re right there with (division leaders) Langley and Chilliwack and these four points are big.”

LOOSE PUCKS: Evan DeBrouwer will get the start in goal for the Kings.... F Spencer Chapman (leg injury) is out indefinitely and F Chong Min Lee is in his native South Korea playing for the national under-20 team... The Cariboo Cougars major midget team is on a bye weekend and three of their players – forwards Craig MacDonald and Brandon Dent, and defenceman Brennan Malgunas – have been called up to the Kings. MacDonald will be in the Kings’ lineup tonight. Game time is 7 p.m.