The Express joined the Wenatchee Wild as the only teams in the BCHL to defeat the Langley Rivermen on home ice in regulation by a score of 3-1 Saturday night. Click here for boxscore
It was the second straight road win for the Express and their third win overall in their last four games.
During this run for the Express, they've been at their best creating chances offensively, and getting out of the zone quick in their own end. They were able to do that on Saturday night. Plus the Express did a good job of blocking shots particularly in the middle part of the ice in their zone.
Josh Bruce forced a turnover at the Express blueline and walked in on a breakaway snapping a shot over the shoulder of Rivermen goaltender Braedon Fleming.
In their own end the Express showed good poise with the puck not rushing plays and getting it out of their end.
Early in the second period Eric Linell came close to adding to the Express lead beating Fleming with a wrist shot that hit the post.
12 minutes into the second period Landon Fuller got involved in a scuffle behind the Express net. The blue liner came up swinging on Ethan Leyh. Fuller was given a double minor for roughing and a game misconduct. So the Express had to play the rest of the game without their most physically imposing defenseman.
Dominic Davis dressed for a second game for the Express as an AP. He didn't look out of place throughout the night. He was even rewarded with some time on the penalty kill on Fuller's double minor.
Langley did pull even on that power play when Colin Bernard hammered a one timer from the point over the shoulder of Brock Hamm.
In the third Langley did start to ramp up their pressure looking for their first lead. But the Express stood tall against the Rivermen attack. And they had a sharp Brock Hamm behind them backing the team up.
His best save came early in the third off a re-direct by Ethan Leyh. Hamm also got some help when Trevor St. Jean hit the post midway through the period. He finished with 32 saves earning first star honors and is now 2-0-1 in his last 3 games.
With no Fuller to finish the game, the rest of the blue liners were tasked with additional minutes. They rose to the occasion. Doug Scott had a strong night on the backend. If he got paid, he would have earned his money. He had a number of shot blocks that clearly stung the Express blue liner who gritted it out.
The tie was broken by the Express who rushed into the Langley zone. Linell fed it across to Josh Wildauer, his shot went wide, but he stayed in pursuit the puck and set up captain Alex Ambrosio who snapped home the pass from the slot.
Langley's last gasp came moments later. Josh Bruce was called for a check to the head penalty less than a minute after Ambrosio's goal. With the game on the line, the Express shut down the struggling Rivermen power play. Langley finished 1 for 4 on the power play. The Express were 0 for 2.
Colby Pederson battled hard all night long for the Express. He was battling for pucks, blocking shots and just played with a high compete level. He was rewarded for his play breaking away from his own blueline and rushing the puck up the ice and scoring into the empty net to seal the win.
It was the third win for the Express this season vs. Langley. Their first win on the road in the season series.
The Express have two games next weekend at home before their Christmas break Friday and Saturday vs. Prince George and Powell River.
It was the second straight road win for the Express and their third win overall in their last four games.
During this run for the Express, they've been at their best creating chances offensively, and getting out of the zone quick in their own end. They were able to do that on Saturday night. Plus the Express did a good job of blocking shots particularly in the middle part of the ice in their zone.
Josh Bruce forced a turnover at the Express blueline and walked in on a breakaway snapping a shot over the shoulder of Rivermen goaltender Braedon Fleming.
In their own end the Express showed good poise with the puck not rushing plays and getting it out of their end.
Early in the second period Eric Linell came close to adding to the Express lead beating Fleming with a wrist shot that hit the post.
12 minutes into the second period Landon Fuller got involved in a scuffle behind the Express net. The blue liner came up swinging on Ethan Leyh. Fuller was given a double minor for roughing and a game misconduct. So the Express had to play the rest of the game without their most physically imposing defenseman.
Dominic Davis dressed for a second game for the Express as an AP. He didn't look out of place throughout the night. He was even rewarded with some time on the penalty kill on Fuller's double minor.
Langley did pull even on that power play when Colin Bernard hammered a one timer from the point over the shoulder of Brock Hamm.
In the third Langley did start to ramp up their pressure looking for their first lead. But the Express stood tall against the Rivermen attack. And they had a sharp Brock Hamm behind them backing the team up.
His best save came early in the third off a re-direct by Ethan Leyh. Hamm also got some help when Trevor St. Jean hit the post midway through the period. He finished with 32 saves earning first star honors and is now 2-0-1 in his last 3 games.
With no Fuller to finish the game, the rest of the blue liners were tasked with additional minutes. They rose to the occasion. Doug Scott had a strong night on the backend. If he got paid, he would have earned his money. He had a number of shot blocks that clearly stung the Express blue liner who gritted it out.
The tie was broken by the Express who rushed into the Langley zone. Linell fed it across to Josh Wildauer, his shot went wide, but he stayed in pursuit the puck and set up captain Alex Ambrosio who snapped home the pass from the slot.
Langley's last gasp came moments later. Josh Bruce was called for a check to the head penalty less than a minute after Ambrosio's goal. With the game on the line, the Express shut down the struggling Rivermen power play. Langley finished 1 for 4 on the power play. The Express were 0 for 2.
Colby Pederson battled hard all night long for the Express. He was battling for pucks, blocking shots and just played with a high compete level. He was rewarded for his play breaking away from his own blueline and rushing the puck up the ice and scoring into the empty net to seal the win.
It was the third win for the Express this season vs. Langley. Their first win on the road in the season series.
The Express have two games next weekend at home before their Christmas break Friday and Saturday vs. Prince George and Powell River.
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