EXPRESS OPEN SEASON WITH A WIN

It was a good start to the season for the Burnaby Express, they knocked off the Cowichan Valley Capitals 4-3 Friday night in Duncan.

If you believe the line, if you look good, you play good. Well, that was the case for Burnaby last night. They debuted their beautiful new red road jerseys and played well in the opening 40 minutes.

Shawn Mueller opened the scoring for the Capitals with a shot from the right boards that beat Nick Energren up high. Energren got the start for the Express in goal as Harrison May tweaked his ankle earlier this week while playing basketball. There is no reason for concern when it comes to May, he should be good to go for the two games next weekend.

The Capitals lead didn't last long as captain Dylan Herold tied the game minutes later on a powerplay as he banged home a centering pass in the goal crease.

Rich Manley, who was making his Express re-debut last night, had a pair of outstanding chances to score in front of Caps goaltender Kiefer Smiley in the first period but was robbed of a goal on both occasions. The third time however was the charm, Manley buried Jon Puskar's centering pass with 1:10 remaining in the first period to give the Express the lead heading to the room.

Manley added his 2nd goal of the game in the opening minute of the 2nd period as he took a drop pass from Garrick Perry and Manley cut to the net and jammed the puck home.

The top line of Rich Manley, Garrick Perry and Jon Puskar was dangerous all night long. And they teamed up again for the 4th Express goal as they worked the cycle in the Caps zone, and Manley played it up the boards to Perry who put a beautiful backhand pass across the slot to Jon Puskar who blasted home the pass to give Burnaby a 4-1 lead.

Burnaby took their 3 goal lead to the third period. The Caps began their comeback on a powerplay in the opening minute when John Chayka's centering pass from the goal line went off former Cap Jimmy Geerin and past Energren.

Then with the Caps on another powerplay courtesy of Jon Puskar's roughing after the whistle penalty, the Caps pulled within one as Shayne Taker's point shot got past Energren who was bumped by the traffic in front of the net. The Express lead was suddenly cut to one with the goals coming just 2:02 apart.

From that point on, the Capitals took over the game pressing for the game tying goal. Burnaby was outshot 14-2 in the third period, but didn't crack under the pressure as they held on the rest of the way to pick up their first victory of the season.

Nick Energren stopped 26 of 29 Capital shots for the win. He is now 2-0 in his BCHL career.

Energren won his BCHL debut with the Express in their final game of the season last year in Langley.

The all American top line of Garrick Perry, Rich Manley and Jon Puskar combined for 8 points. 3 goals and 5 assists.

Shots:
Burnaby 26
Cowichan Valley 29

Powerplays:
Burnaby 1/4
Cowichan Valley 2/5

3 stars

3-Shayne Taker - The Caps defenceman had 1 goal and 1 assist in the loss. He controlled the Caps attack from the blueline especially in the third period.

2-Jon Puskar - It was an impressive BCHL debut for Puskar. Had 2 assists and showed his great finishing ability for his first BCHL goal as he blasted home a one timer in the 2nd period.

1-Rich Manley - Played an outstanding game. Finished with 2 goals and 1 assist. Easily could have had 4 goals if he buried his glorious scoring chances in the first period. Played to his size to control the puck in the offensive zone. Also played well on the defensive side of the puck. Including hustling back into his own zone to pick the pocket of a Caps player of the puck while on the rush.

Next up, in Surrey Friday night.