CHIEFS 8 EXPRESS 1

I think the headline pretty much speaks for itself. The Express lost the opening game of their home and home with their top rival the Langley Chiefs. Thursday's loss was the Express' 9th set back in their last 10 games in the month of October. And the Express have now lost all 8 games away from home this month.

Langley opened the scoring 6 minutes into the game when Joe Walter's shot squeaked through Harrison May and dribbled into the net.

The Express had a pair of great chances to pull even moments later.

First, Andrew Walsh did well to come across to his right and get his right pad down to deny Jon Puskar on a 2 on 1 break. That save was followed moments later with Walsh turning away Rich Manley as he got in behind the Langley defence, but Walsh poked the puck away from Manley.

Late in the period the Express did break through. Garrick Perry slid a puck under Walsh to pull the Express even at 18:32. The goal for Perry broke a pair of lengthy droughts for the 2nd year forward.

The goal was his first point in his last 8 games. And his first goal in his last 11.

Perry had very little time to savour his goal when just 13 seconds later the Chiefs restored their lead when Dennis Robertson's shot from the left point got past May to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead.

Langley took the lead into the room. Having a lead after 20 minutes is something foriegn to this Express team. They've only had the lead after the first period just twice this season. And haven't lead after 20 minutes in 13 games.

Early in the 2nd came a real back breaker for Burnaby, Langley won a neutral zone faceoff and Dennis Robertson fired the puck from beyond the Burnaby blueline and it got past Harrison May to give the Chiefs a 3-1 lead.

That goal would mean the end of the night for Harrison May who was yanked afterwards after allowing 3 goals on 19 shots.

Nick Enegren came in to replace May, but it didn't get much better for Burnaby and Enegren didn't get much help.

Travis Irving and Mac Roy both out battled Simon Denis for pucks in front of the Express net for Langley goals to give the Chiefs a 5-1 lead through 40 minutes.

The third period just saw more goals ending up in the back of the Burnaby net with Enegren getting very little help.

Irving added his 2nd of the period at 3:56 to give the Chiefs a 6-1 lead. That was followed by Marcus Watson getting past Todd Fletcher, Watson's shot was stopped but Brad Goss got to the net first beating the Express defence to bang home the rebound to make it a 7-1 Chiefs lead.

The final nail in Burnaby's coffin on this night was sealed in the final minute when Mitch Pacey came out of the penalty box and took a feed from Trevor Gerling and Pacey scored on the breakaway to round out the scoring.

Final score:

Chiefs 8 Express 1.

Shots:

Express 41 Chiefs 37

Powerplays:

Express 0/7
Chiefs 1/5

3 stars:

3. Andrew Walsh - Quietly had a steady night in the Chiefs crease stopping 40 of 41 Express shots. His performace was easily overlooked with the lopsided score in favour of his club.

2. Travis Irving - Scored a pair of goals and had a fight with Luke Challier in the third period.

1. Dennis Robertson - Scored a pair of goals to set the tone for the Chiefs and take the wind out of the Express sails. Robertson also added an assist.

Next up:

Home vs. Langley Friday night.