EXPRESS RALLY IN 3RD TO TOP EAGLES

Jake Toor scored the game winning goal - Photo courtesy of Damon James

For the second straight meeting the Express used a third period come back en route to a 4-3 win over the Surrey Eagles. Click here for boxscore

The previous meeting between the two teams needed overtime to decide the matchup, tonight the Express were able to get the job done in regulation.

The win clinches the season series between the two teams in favour of the Express 4-3.

Veteran experience helped the opposition carry them to victory over the Express in the last two games. Wednesday's game the Express can point to their veterans who played a key role in this win.

Alex Ambrosio (middle) scored twice - Photo courtesy of Damon James

A veteran opened the scoring, but it was a youngster helped get the play started. Christian Bosa saw a hit coming from former teammate Domenic Masellis and Bosa braced for it sending Masellis to the ice. Moments later Bosa intercepted a Masellis clearing attempt along the boards setting up Ambrosio who opened the scoring. The assist for Bosa was his third in his last two games.

The lead only lasted a shade under 90 seconds on a long stretch pass that allowed Ashton Calder to get a half step on the Express defence and Calder beat Lawson Fenton on a breakaway to tie the game at one.

Surrey had moments of owning the run of play in the Express zone. But one mistake resulted in a turnover allowing Ambrosio and Sam Kozlowski to break out on a two on one. Ambrosio had his options on the rush to send the puck across to Kozlowski who opened up for a one timer, Ambrosio decided to keep the puck and rang in a shot off the post for his second of the night giving the Express their second lead of the game.

The Express took their 2-1 lead to the second period. And they have Lawson Fenton to thank for that who made 19 saves in the opening period.

The power play had three chances to help break the game open for the Express. But they had trouble breaking out of their own zone and setting up in the Surrey zone letting an opportunity to build on their lead slip away.

Eagles AP Owen Williams evened things up for the visitors late in the second period when his original shot off a won draw in the Express zone was blocked, but his second shot beat a surprised Lawson Fenton for his first BCHL goal to tie the game at two.

There was an ominous sign to open the third period. The red light behind Lawson Fenton was left on for the first few seconds of the period. Three minutes later the Eagles took their lone lead of the night when Darius Davidson slid a shot under the pads of Fenton for a 3-2 Eagles lead.

Captain Luca Leone returned to the lineup after missing the previous three games. He played a key role in the Express comeback. He set up Will Lawrence at the 6 minute mark who tied the game at three. For Lawrence it was his third goal in his last three games vs. Surrey. He also has four goals in his last five.

Devon Mussio - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Leone then picked the puck up off the dasher boards in the Surrey zone and set up Jake Toor who scored just over three minutes later giving the Express a 4-3 lead. The Express rookie has 5 goals this season, three of them have come vs. Surrey.

A late third period power play for the Express could have put the game away, but it wasn't meant to be. The Express finished 0 for 5 on the power play. But it was another perfect night on the penalty killing shutting down three Surrey powerplays.

The Express survived one final Surrey push and they held on for the win. Lawson Fenton finished with 37 saves for his 6th win of the season.

Friday the Express host the Chilliwack Chiefs. They will then head to Langley Saturday night.