EXPRESS MIXLR BROADCAST

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

EXPRESS LEAK 6 MORE GOALS IN LOSS TO SPRUCE KINGS

The effort level in terms of shots on goal in the offensive level is there, but it's the ability to keep pucks out of the net that is really plaguing the Express right now.

It was another tough night Wednesday falling 6-0 to the Prince George Spruce Kings in the first of back to back games between the Mainland division foes.

The last two games have seen the Express fall by lopsided scores. They've now been outscored 14-1 in their last 2 games. It's part of a run that has seen the Express allow 31 goals and score 20 in their last 5 games while going 2-3 in that time.

Prince George got the jump on the Express quickly as just over a minute in Chad Staley beat Pierce Dushenko with a shot from the boards beating the Express rookie to the short side.

The Express had a number of quality chances to pull even. Their best probably came to Joey Santucci who had a loose puck lying in the crease and somehow couldn't tap it home.

Ryan Rosenthal and Adam Rockwood also had good chances but couldn't beat Alex Murray who was steady turning aside 34 shots for the shutout.

When you're allowing goals the way the Express have been recently, it's not surprise that the penalty killing will take a hit as well.

Prince George struck on their first two power plays tonight as Jake Lebrun and Christian Weidauer scored to give the visitors a 3-0 lead after 1 period.

After a goal less second period the goals started going in again in the third.

Jeremiah Luedtke was on the business end of a give and go with Justin Rai and he tapped it home to make it 4-0.

In the dying minutes and a late power play the Express made one last desperate attempt to get on the board as they pulled Dushenko to give them a 6 on 4 advantage. That didn't help the Express cause as  moments after the Spruce Kings returned to full strength Matt Painchaud scored into the empty net.

Then to deliver one last blow Caleb Thompson scored moments into a Spruce Kings power play blasting a shot over the shoulder of Dushenko to put a cap on the goal scoring.

Prince George finished 3 for 5 on the power play. The Express penalty killing is on a run they would like to quickly put to an end that has seen the opposition click at a 50 percent success rate going 12 for 24 on the power play in the last 4 games.

The sooner Friday's re-match arrives, the sooner the Express can try to put this tough stretch behind them. 

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