The Express had a dramatic comeback in the final minute of the third period, but still fell by a score of 5-4 in overtime to the West Kelowna Warriors. Click here for boxscore
It was a valiant effort from the Express that showed character that fell just short at the end of the night.
It was the second meeting in two weeks between the Express and Warriors. The first meeting was a 7-2 decision for West Kelowna at the BCHL showcase. It was a different type game this time around.
The Express had their chances to open the scoring. Most notably Eric Linell had two good chances as he found himself alone behind the Warriors defense but couldn't get any of his two shots past the sprawled out pad of Warriors goaltender Nik Amundrud.
Cavin Tilsey opened the scoring for the Warriors. He converted a pass by Bennett Norlin past Reid Cooper for the only goal of the first period.
Midway through the second period the Warriors appeared to add to their lead. RJ Murphy pounced on a loose puck in the Express crease and poked it home. But after some discussion by the officials they ruled the net was knocked off.
Murphy only had two wait 40 seconds for his measure of revenge as he buried the rebound of a Willie Reim wrist shot to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead.
Captain Alex Ambrosio started the comeback for the Express two minutes later pouncing on Troy Robillard's point shot for a 2-1 Warriors lead through two periods.
Head Coach Barry Wolff has emphasized tightening up turnovers in key spots of the ice in the defensive zone that has lead to opposition goals this season.
Another turnover just inside the Express line allowed the Warriors to get the puck to Chase Dubois behind the Express defense and he outwaited Reid Cooper sliding home a backhand for a 3-1 Warriors lead.
Credit to the Express on this night for never giving up. Josh Wildauer buried the rebound of a Alex Ambrosio shot to make it a 3-2 game with 6:35 to go.
The Express had a glorious chance to tie the game. Amundrud ended up out near the ringette line as he raced to cover a loose puck. The Express poked it past him and two forwards somehow couldn't put the puck in the net vacated by the Warriors goaltender.
West Kelowna captain Jared Marino appeared to seal the victory with 1:18 remaining in the third period with a shot that just squeaked through Reid Cooper to make it 4-2.
That goal could have deflated any team that had just one win in their first eight games. But the Express have kept most of their games close and haven't been far off in most of them.
Jordan Schulting blasted a one timer for his second of the season with 56 seconds left in the third period to make it 4-3. That was followed 27 seconds later by a goal from Eric Linell digging the puck out of a scramble and scoring to send the game to overtime.
In 4 on 4 overtime it never really opened up for either side and create many scoring chances. As the Warriors had done most of the night they were patient working the puck in the Express zone hoping for a breakdown.
Cavin Tilsey found some room and used to gain entry in the Express zone. His shot hit the glass but the rebound bounced to the side of the Express net for Bennett Norlin who scored the game winner at 4:15.
The Express didn't do themselves any favours by going 0 for 7 on the power play against a Warriors team that has now killed off 31 straight shorthanded situations. From a discipline standpoint the Express did a pretty good job only giving West Kelowna a brief first period power play.
West Kelowna outshot the Express 46-36.
Up next for the Express is a home and home with Langley starting Friday in Coquitlam.
It was a valiant effort from the Express that showed character that fell just short at the end of the night.
It was the second meeting in two weeks between the Express and Warriors. The first meeting was a 7-2 decision for West Kelowna at the BCHL showcase. It was a different type game this time around.
The Express had their chances to open the scoring. Most notably Eric Linell had two good chances as he found himself alone behind the Warriors defense but couldn't get any of his two shots past the sprawled out pad of Warriors goaltender Nik Amundrud.
Cavin Tilsey opened the scoring for the Warriors. He converted a pass by Bennett Norlin past Reid Cooper for the only goal of the first period.
Midway through the second period the Warriors appeared to add to their lead. RJ Murphy pounced on a loose puck in the Express crease and poked it home. But after some discussion by the officials they ruled the net was knocked off.
Murphy only had two wait 40 seconds for his measure of revenge as he buried the rebound of a Willie Reim wrist shot to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead.
Captain Alex Ambrosio started the comeback for the Express two minutes later pouncing on Troy Robillard's point shot for a 2-1 Warriors lead through two periods.
Head Coach Barry Wolff has emphasized tightening up turnovers in key spots of the ice in the defensive zone that has lead to opposition goals this season.
Another turnover just inside the Express line allowed the Warriors to get the puck to Chase Dubois behind the Express defense and he outwaited Reid Cooper sliding home a backhand for a 3-1 Warriors lead.
Credit to the Express on this night for never giving up. Josh Wildauer buried the rebound of a Alex Ambrosio shot to make it a 3-2 game with 6:35 to go.
The Express had a glorious chance to tie the game. Amundrud ended up out near the ringette line as he raced to cover a loose puck. The Express poked it past him and two forwards somehow couldn't put the puck in the net vacated by the Warriors goaltender.
West Kelowna captain Jared Marino appeared to seal the victory with 1:18 remaining in the third period with a shot that just squeaked through Reid Cooper to make it 4-2.
That goal could have deflated any team that had just one win in their first eight games. But the Express have kept most of their games close and haven't been far off in most of them.
Jordan Schulting blasted a one timer for his second of the season with 56 seconds left in the third period to make it 4-3. That was followed 27 seconds later by a goal from Eric Linell digging the puck out of a scramble and scoring to send the game to overtime.
In 4 on 4 overtime it never really opened up for either side and create many scoring chances. As the Warriors had done most of the night they were patient working the puck in the Express zone hoping for a breakdown.
Cavin Tilsey found some room and used to gain entry in the Express zone. His shot hit the glass but the rebound bounced to the side of the Express net for Bennett Norlin who scored the game winner at 4:15.
The Express didn't do themselves any favours by going 0 for 7 on the power play against a Warriors team that has now killed off 31 straight shorthanded situations. From a discipline standpoint the Express did a pretty good job only giving West Kelowna a brief first period power play.
West Kelowna outshot the Express 46-36.
Up next for the Express is a home and home with Langley starting Friday in Coquitlam.
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