It was a perfect 2 for 2 if you're the Langley Chiefs this week vs. the Burnaby Express. Langley took the opening game between the two team 8-1 in Langley Thursday night. Friday, the Chiefs blanked the Express 2-0 at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.
Andrew Walsh posted the shutout for the Chiefs stopping all 35 Express shots in the Chiefs crease. The Langley goaltender in fact stopped all 60 shots he faced in the final 5 periods of the home and home series with Burnaby.
Joe Walter opened the scoring for the second consecutive night by taking a feed from Trevor Gerling on a 2 on 1 break and tipping the pass by Harrison May to open the scoring at 7:23.
The Express had their chances throughout the game. On this night the greatest example of a team unable to catch a break when struggling for offence came when Matt Ius had a chance to put the puck past Walsh and Ius had his stick break. That was followed seconds later with Rich Manley unable to slide it past Walsh and it slid wide of the Chief net.
The effort for Burnaby on this night was a lot better than it was the night before in the 8-1 setback in the Langley Events Centre. Burnaby was better defensively and competed harder.
Walsh's best save of the 2nd period came on a Burnaby powerplay when the Express set up Rich Manley for a one timer, but Walsh came across with his left pad and rob the Burnaby forward.
Langley extended their lead to two when Jordan Sims picked up speed through the neutral zone, cut around Jimmy Geerin and drove to the net and beat Harrison May with a shot to the stick side.
Now with a two goal lead, it was up to Andrew Walsh to shut down Burnaby the rest of the way.
The third period saw Burnaby have 3 opportunities on the powerplay to cut into the deficit, but couldn't find the back of the net. Including a 6 on 4 advantage late in the game.
Burnaby's effort was much better overall than 24 hours earlier. But the results remain the same with the Express ending up on the losing end. This game had similarities to Burnaby's last home game vs. Surrey where the Express ran into a hot goaltender that was tough to beat.
The loss for Burnaby was their 10th in 11 games in the month of October.
The offence collectively has really dried up for the Express in their last 3 games. Burnaby has scored only 2 goals in their last 3 games on 111 shots on goal.
The powerplay has completely dried up in the Express last 4 outings going 0 for 22.
The loss for Burnaby saw them fall to 7th place in the Coastal Conference standings tied with Nanaimo with 14 points. Nanaimo gets the tie breaker by picking up the same amount of points in fewer games. 8th place Cowichan Valley sits just one point back of the Express.
Shots:
Burnaby 35
Langley 31
Powerplays:
Burnaby 0/7
Langley 0/7
3 stars:
3. Harrison May - Had a bounce back performance in the Express crease after being pulled 24 hours earlier. May stopped 29 of 31 shots he faced.
2. Joe Walter - Scored the games opening goal for the second consective night. Walter's goal proved the be the game winning goal.
1. Andrew Walsh - Stopped all 35 Express shots for the shutout. Stopped 75 of 76 Express shots in the home and home series and the last 60 he faced in the final 5 periods.
Up next:
Home Sunday afternoon vs. Victoria.
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