EAGLES SWEEP HOME AND HOME

- Photo courtesy of Damon James

Much like 24 hours ago in Surrey the Express battled the Eagles down to the final moments only to see Surrey seal the game in the final minute with an empty net goal. Saturday it was a 5-3 Eagles win coming on the heels of a 4-2 Surrey win Friday night. Click here for boxscore

Brock Hamm was named first star - - Photo courtesy of Damon James

The start was a different story for the Express. Friday Surrey jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead. Saturday the Express returned the favor.

Haydn Delorme opened the scoring for the Express just over 5 minutes in the game when his wrist shot was stopped by Daniel Davidson but the rebound bounced off a Surrey defender and into the net for his Delorme's of the season.

1:11 later Josh Bruce took advantage of Cory Babichuk getting hauled down and losing the puck springing a breakaway for Bruce who scored for a 2-0 Express lead. It was the third straight game for the Express vs. Surrey that they scored a shorthanded goal.

Former Express Dominic Masellis started the Surrey comeback when he picked off a Express clearing attempt and snapped a shot through the pads of Brock Hamm.

Two minutes after the Masellis goal with the Express already shorthanded, Lucas Wong collided knee on knee with Desi Burgart, the Eagles forward was hurt on the play and didn't return. Wong was assessed a 5 minute major for a game misconduct for kneeing.

On the two man advantage John Wesley who had a hat-trick Friday, teed up a one timer for Owen Norton who fired it home to tie the game at two.

Surrey had four powerplays in the first period which helped their cause to finish the period with a 18-7 advantage in shots. The Express started the game by outshooting Surrey 4-0.

Landon Fuller gave the Express their second lead of the night early in the second period as he blasted home a slap shot for his first Express goal in his second game with the club.

Friday night neither team could strike on a  combined 15 powerplays for the Express and Eagles.

Surrey's Jeffrey Stewart scored the third power play goal of the game when he converted a pass from behind the net to tie the game at 3. The Eagles finished 2 for 8 on the power play while the Express went 1 for 3.

Like many games for the Express this season,


the game was hanging in the balance going to the third period. They needed someone to rise to the occasion to get that key third period goal to get them back in the win column.

Josh Bruce had multiple bids to get that key goal for the Express. In the opening minute of the third period his chance set up by Alex Ambrosio was stopped by Daniel Davidson.

At the 6 minute mark Connor Sundquist had his shot stopped by Brock Hamm, then Chase Danol put the rebound off the post and finally Aaron White buried the third chance to give the Eagles their first lead of the night.

Landon Fuller - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Josh Bruce found himself alone in front of the net and was robbed by Daniel Davidson to keep Surrey in the lead with 4 minutes to play. That goal proved to by the key chance the Express needed to finish for the equalizer.

In the final minute Ryan Brushett hit the empty net to seal the win for Surrey.

The Express have had 16 of their 21 games this season decided by two goals or less. They have 8 games decided by two goals with 5 of those games sealed with an empty net goal by the opposition. That shows just how tight the difference has been between winning and losing for the Express in a good chunk of their games this season.

Up next for the Express is a Thursday visit to the Langley Rivermen.