EXPRESS WIN... EXPRESS WIN

A re-engergized and re-rejuvenated Express team got back in the win column with a 5-4 win on the road over the Langley Chiefs Friday night.

The win for the Express was their first win in 15 road games and snapped their 7 game losing streak overall.

After coming off the road last weekend, there was lots of looking in the mirror in the Express organization and what came out of it was a Express team that was relaxed and ready to try and turn the season around.

The Express got off to a good start when Garrick Perry cut around Brad Goss who was covering for his defenceman and Perry drove the puck to the net and Luke Challier poked the puck home to give the Express a 1-0 lead.

The Chiefs had a quick reply midway through the first period when Travis Irving and Colton Beck scored 1:29 apart to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead.

Dylan Herold pulled the Express even in the final minute on the powerplay. Herold's shot missed the net but the puck bounced off the end boards then off Walsh and into the net to tie the game at 19:48.

Dennis Robertson was instrumental in helping Langley re-take the lead in the 2nd period as Robertson's point shot went off Mitch Pacey's leg and into the net.

The Express didn't get rattled as Garrick Perry pulled the Express even midway through the 2nd period as he came out from behind the Langley net and Perry's shot went off Andrew Walsh's leg and slid in the net to tie the game at 3.

And for the 2nd straight period the Express scored a powerplay goal in the final minute of the period. Rich Manley's first shot was stopped, but the puck was lying in the crease and Manley poked it home to give the Express a 4-3 lead heading to the dressing room.

The goal for Manley was his first goal in 8 games. The Express 2 powerplay goals had nearly matched the Express output on the powerplay in the previous 12 games where the Express were just 3 for 59 on the powerplay heading into Friday's game.

Garrick Perry gave the Express some insurance midway through the 3rd period as Perry cut to the net and with one hand on his stick, Perry slid the puck past Andrew Walsh to give the Express a 5-3 lead. The point for Perry was his 4th of the game.

Stefan Gonzales was called for cross checking at 15:00 and Langley scored on the powerplay as Mac Roy scored on the wrap around to cut the Express lead down to one with 4:06 remaining in the third period.

From that point on, it was nail biting time for the Express as they tried to protect their one goal lead.

Langley pressed hard in the dying minutes looking for the equalizer. The Chiefs were given another powerplay in the final minute as somehow the Express were called for a bench minor when the teams leaving the bench following a Chiefs timeout. The penalty didn't end up coming back to hurt the Express as Harrison May came up with one last clutch save in the dying seconds to preserve the Express victory.

Lots of players stepped up in the Express win. Led offensively by Garrick Perry's 4 point night. Harrison May had a strong performance in the Express crease stopping 39 of 43 Chiefs shots. James Bettauer made his season debut and didn't look out of place logging many big minutes on the Burnaby blueline. Luke Challier was at his aggitating best getting under the skin of the Chiefs in the first half of the game until he was ejected.

Matt Ridley made his return to the lineup playing forward. He was hit hard in the first period and didn't play in the final 2 periods.

Now the Express return home to face the Penticton Vees Saturday night. Then host the defending RBC cup champion Vernon Vipers Sunday afternoon.