EXPRESS ROLL OVER EAGLES

Jordan Schulting scored twice - Photo courtesy of Damon James 

In their highest offensive output since their season opener last season, the Express handed the Surrey Eagles a convincing 8-1 setback. The last time the Express scored 8 goals in a game was 100 games ago a 8-7 win at the South Surrey Arena to raise the curtain for the 2016-17 season.

The veterans certainly chipped in to the win. But the guys who get less of the headlines stole the show for their offensive contributions.

Nick Amsler had 2G, 1A
Photo courtesy of Damon James 

AP Nick Amsler playing in his 3rd game with the Express scored his first two BCHL goals and added an assist, Devon Mussio scored his first BCHL goal and added a helper, Lucas Wong had three assists and Haydn Delorme had a pair of helpers.

Right from the start the Express played fast and with purpose. It didn't take long for them to get the rewards.

Josh Wildauer fired a hard rink wide pass to Colby Pederson who danced past an Eagles defenseman and scored a snap shot past Mario Cavaliere at 1:18. The Eagles goaltender came into the game as the reigning BCHL player of the week after posting back to back shutouts over Langley and Cowichan Valley and was already being given the nickname "Super Mario".

Then some of the kids started to leave their mark on the game. Lucas Wong raced after a puck deep in the Surrey zone and from behind their net put a perfect pass into the slot on the tape of Nick Amsler who looked like a pure goal scorer dropping to his knee and snapping home a one timer for his first BCHL goal at the 3:00 mark.

It was 3-0 Express at the 11 minute mark. Jordan Schulting showed good patience at the blueline and took an extra moment to wait for traffic and walk the line before snapping home a wrist shot for his 5th of the season.

The penalty killing has been one area that has really tightened up in the last few weeks. Tonight they had another perfect night killing off all 5 Eagles powerplays in the first 32 minutes of the game. The Express have now killed 30 straight shorthanded situations.

BCHL goal scoring leader John Wesley and his 31 goals was back in the Eagles lineup after not playing when these teams met Saturday. It was a frustrating night for the league's top sniper who got some chances throughout the game and was unable to finish.

After a Wesley chance at one end, the Express quickly turned the play the other way and Troy Robillard joined the rush and buried his 4th of the season for a 4-0 Express lead. Robillard also had an assist.

Surrey's lone goal of the night came 1:10 after Robillard's goal as Ty Westgard snapped home his 10th of the season past Brock Hamm. That would be the only goal to get past the Express netminder who was solid with 27 saves.

The Express poured it on in the third period. Eric Linell converted a set up from Devon Mussio for a 5-1 lead at 2:30.

Then mid third Nick Amsler found a loose puck in front of the Surrey net to bury his second goal of the night to make it 6-1.

Head Coach Jason Fortier recognizing how well some of his younger players were going, rewarded them with some third period power play time. They didn't let the coach down. Right off a won face-off in the Surrey zone Amsler set up Wong in the slot whose shot was tipped home in front of the net by Devon Mussio for his first BCHL goal. It was a long wait for the Express defenceman who was dressed for his 96th career BCHL game Wednesday night.

Then just over a minute later Jordan Schulting put the finishing touches on the game scoring his second of the net burying a loose puck that Will Lawerence in the slot. That goal chased Mario Cavaliere after 8 goals in 28 shots.

The Express return to action Friday night when they will host the Nanaimo Clippers. They will see Surrey again Saturday night in Surrey.