The Tri-Cities' generosity, once again, has scored big time.
The Coquitlam Express recently unveiled that its Score For Cancer fundraiser exceeded the junior 'A' hockey team's expectations for a second consecutive season in honouring their former captain's legacy.
General manager Tali Campbell said a total of $10,876.50 was collected on Dec. 17, 2022, during the Express' home clash against the Surrey Eagles.
That brings the club's two-season total to more than $142,500 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
The back and gold suffered a 6-3 setback to their Coastal Conference rivals that night, but that hasn't diminished Coquitlam's mission to fight alongside those battling more than 100 variants of cancer.
Former Express captain and Port Moody product Ryan Tattle began the initiative in his final BC Hockey League (BCHL) season to, in part, honour his mother, Joanne, who was battling cancer at the time.
She lost her three-and-a-half-year fight on Nov. 25 — roughly a month before the second edition of Score For Cancer Night.
"Score For Cancer as an initiative means a lot to me, but after the recent passing of my mom, I'm now even more inclined to make a difference," Tattle said in a team statement prior to the game.
"Seeing firsthand how difficult the battle with cancer is, motivates me to make a difference."
The Express reeled in more than $124,000 during the 2021-22 season.
Tattle scored 60 points in 52 games last year, including 23 goals and 37 assists. He asked local fans to make regular donations for every tally, reaching a total of $101,000.
The Express raised $20,011.96 from its inaugural Score For Cancer Night on Feb. 26, 2022, which included proceeds from ticket sales, a 50/50 draw and the auction of specially made game-worn jerseys.
For more information on Score For Cancer or to make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society, you can visit the campaign's website.
Meanwhile, the Coquitlam Express are currently on a two-game road trip through the Interior Conference, including a stop in West Kelowna tonight (March 11), 7 p.m. against the Warriors.
