INJURIES STRIKE EXPRESS ALUM

It's been a rough season for some Express alumni in the NHL.

Last week Milan Lucic went down with a high ankle sprain suffered vs. the Minnesota Wild. That injury came shortly after Lucic returned to the Bruins lineup after suffering a fractured finger and missing 14 games.

Lucic is expected to miss at least 4 weeks.

Meanwhile the news for David Jones is worse, he expected to miss the next 4 to 6 months after suffering a torn ACL Saturday vs. Minnesota.

The former Express captain was having a breakout season, his 3rd with the Avalanche. He had 10 goals (2nd on the Avs behind Milan Hejduk) and 16 points in 23 games.

EXPRESS WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights from Burnaby's two home games this weekend vs. Powell River and Nanaimo.

Click below to see the highlights vs. Powell River Friday.



Click below to see the highlights vs. Nanaimo Saturday.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen and Purple Penguin Productions.

KINGS TOP LINE BURIES EXPRESS

Andrew Pettitt, Matt Garbowsky and Ben Schmidt each had 3 points to lead the Powell River attack as the Kings knocked off the Express 5-3 at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre Friday night.

The Kings used quick strike offence at various points of time to break the game open.

Andrew Pettitt and Matt Garbowsky scored 1:53 apart in the first period to give the Kings a 2-0 lead after 1 period.

Pettitt then added his second of the game early in the second to extend Powell River's leadto 3.

That's when the Express tried to mount a comeback. Garrick Perry scored a powerplay goal banging home a rebound to get the Express on the board. That was followed by Brad Reid sliding the puck under Micheal Garteig to cut the lead down to one.

But then the Kings used a quick strike attack again to re-store their 3 goal lead. Matt Bodie blasted home a slap shot through the legs of Nick Enegren to give Powell River a 4-2 lead.

That goal spelled the end of the night for Enegren who was replaced by veteran Harrison May. The Kings didn't give May a polite welcome to the game. Just 17 seconds after Bodie's goal, Garbowsky set up Pettitt on a 2 on 1 to give Powell River a 5-2 lead. The 2 on 1 break was the first shot that Harrison May faced since coming off the bench to replace Enegren.

Dylan Herold cut the Kings lead to 2 scoring 90 seconds into the third period. Herold then thought he had pulled the Express back within one when he scored from centre ice on Garteig. The goal was waved off with Luke Challier still in the Kings zone and the play was offside.

The Express got another close call when David Dotan's point shot changed directions on Garteig and got past him, the red light came on and the Express thought they had scored, but it hit the post and stayed out.

That would be as close as the Express would come as the Kings held on the rest of the way.

Shots:

Burnaby 34
Powell River 29

Powerplays:

Burnaby 1/5
Powell River 0/2

3 stars:

3. Dylan Herold - 1 goal and 1 assist for the Express captain.

2. Andrew Pettitt - 2 goals and 1 assist for Powell River.

1. Ben Schmidt - Also had 3 points for the Kings, 1 goal and 2 assists.

EXPRESS SWAP D-MEN WITH SILVERBACKS

The Burnaby Express and Salmon Arm Silverbacks have swapped defencemen.

The Express sent Matt Ridley to Salmon Arm in exchange for Mike Puddifant.

Ridley was in and out of the lineup this season scoring 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points in 16 games.

Ridley had his ups and downs while with the Express this season. There's no questioning his skill with the puck. He can deke out of a phone booth with 5 players inside it. But he was Ridley was prone to turnovers in his own zone which resulted in opposition goals.

The Express coaches tried one last experiment with Ridley at forward last Friday in Langley. That lasted one period and that was it.

Puddifant, a Salmon Arm native is an 18 year old who is in his 2nd season in the BCHL. He's listed at 6'0 192lbs.

This season he has 1 goal and 2 assists in 28 games. In 84 career BCHL games, Puddifant has 2 goals and 7 assists for 11 points.

I'm not sure if Puddifant will make it to the Lower Mainland in time for tonight's game in Surrey.

Thank you to Matt for your contributions to the Express. And welcome Mike to the organization.

SEABROOK ARTICLE

The Coquitlam Now newspaper recently did a feature on former Express Keith Seabrook who is in his first professional season with the Abbotsford Heat of the AHL.

Click here to read the article

VIPERS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Vernon's 8-1 win over the Express Sunday afternoon.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen and Purple Penguin Productions.

TRACKING EXPRESS ALUMNI

I've made it easier for you to track Express players of years gone by. I've added a number of links to former Express players info from HockeyDB.

Just scroll below and you will see a list of 10 former Express players. Just click onto the link and it will take you to their HockeyDB page.

If there's a player you would like to see added, feel free to leave a comment and I will add a link.

VIPERS PUT ON A SHOW AT COPELAND

It was quite the display of speed and skill from the Vernon Vipers who took care of the Burnaby Express 8-1 Sunday afternoon.

This meeting was a much different story from the last time these two teams met back on October 4th in Vernon where the Vipers prevailed 4-2. That day the Express slowed the pace down and played a tight defensive game allowing the game to go down to the wire.

Sunday, Vernon jumped on Burnaby early getting the puck in their zone, and the defending RBC Cup champions used their speed to work the puck in the offensive zone and not allowing Burnaby to come out of their end in the games opening moments.

Vernon's quick puck movement, speed in pursuit of the puck and overall team speed was something to behold. Vernon used that relentless attack in the games opening minutes to set the tone for the rest of the game.

The Vipers opened the scoring less than 5 minutes into the game when Bryce Kakoske was set up after some brilliant puck movement and Kakoske wired a shot over the shoulder of Harrison May to open the scoring.

And from that point on the Vipers were rolling. Pressuring Burnaby in their own zone in the opening period.

One of the rare chances Burnaby did have was Simon Denis firing a perfect pass on the tape of Dylan Herold sending him away on a breakaway. But the Express captain was stopped by Vipers goaltender Graeme Gordon.

In the first period when the Express did get out of their zone, Vernon would force turnovers in the neutral zone and turn the play back the other way on 2 on 1's and the Vipers made Burnaby pay for their mistakes with goals from Mike Collins and Drew George to give the Vipers a 3-0 lead after the opening period.

Vernon outshot Burnaby 17-2 in the first period.

It was more of the same for Vernon in the second, Mike Collins added his second of the game after taking a perfect cross ice pass from Jonathan Milhouse to give Vernon a 4-0 lead.

Vernon is even deadly pursuing the puck while shorthanded and make turnovers end up in the back of the oppositions net. With Dylan Walchuk in the box for Vernon, they forced another turnover resulting in another 2 on 1 break and Braden Pimm scored shorthanded to extend Vernon's lead to 5. That goal was followed 27 seconds later by Mike Collins finishing off his hat-trick when he stole the puck off an Express defenceman in front of the Burnaby net and Collins fired a quick shot beating Harrison May.

Vernon has now scored 14 shorthanded goals this season.

That goal mercifully brought an end to Harrison May's day who was relieved by Nick Enegren after allowing 6 goals on 26 shots. The Burnaby goaltender didn't have much of a chance on any of the 6 pucks that got passed him.

Kellen Jones set up his twin brother Connor in the third period for Vernon's 7th goal. Then Cole Ikkala jammed home a loose puck in the final 2 minutes to give Vernon an 8-0 lead.

The Express rounded out the scoring in the final minute when Malcom Mckinney scored his first BCHL goal firing a puck from the goal line that found a hole to slip past Graeme Gordon to break his shutout bid.

Final score:

Vipers 8 Express 1.

The win extended Vernon's winning streak to 20 games. They're the first BCHL team to win 20 straight regular season games since the Alberni Valley Bulldogs accomplished the feat back in the 05-06 season.

Sunday was the 12th time in Vernon's 20 game run that they've scored at least 6 goals in a game.

Vernon's record now stands at 27-1 this season. Going back to last years playoffs, the Vipers are now 38-1 in their last 39 games.

Sunday was just a flat out impressive performance of speed, puck pursuit and skill put on display by the Vipers. They're full value for their record.

I know the playoffs are still more than half a season away, but the question has to be raised, who is going to be the team that is going to win 4 out of 7 games vs. the Vipers come playoff time if this team is healthy? It's looking like it's going to be a monumental task.

That team is so deep who do you stop? 15 players hit the scoresheet Sunday for Vernon.

VEES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Saturday's 3-1 Penticton win over the Express.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen of Purple Penguin Productions.

EXPRESS AND VEES GO DOWN TO THE WIRE

It was shades of the 2006 Fred Page Cup final Saturday night between the Express and Vees at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre. Tight checking, disciplined defensive hockey between both the Express and the Vees. Penticton prevailed by a score of 3-1, but it wasn't due to a lack of a strong effort by the home side.

Burnaby needed to play that tight defensive game for a full 60 minutes to give them a chance to win. The Express executed the game plan pretty much to a "T".

The Vees had a pair of powerplays in the games opening ten minutes. The Express did an excellent job protecting the middle of the ice and limiting the quality chances for the Vees on the powerplay.

The strong penalty kill effort set the tone for the Express and gave them the confidence that if they stuck to their game plan, they would have a shot to shut down the high flying Vees.

The Express got a 7 minute powerplay early in the first period after a big hit by David Dotan that was followed by Luke Curadi protecting his teammate and getting involved in an exchange with Luke Challier.

The Express struck early on the powerplay as former Vee James Bettauer beat Joel Rumpel for his first Express goal in his 2nd Express game to open the scoring.

The extended powerplay continued as the 5 minute major for fighting was the first penalty in effect. The Express were then given a 2 man advantage with Matt Paltridge being called for high sticking. But, the Express could only manage the one goal by Bettauer on the 7 minute powerplay.

Burnaby took their lead to the second period. The Vees pulled even midway through the 2nd on a powerplay. Matt Paltridge made a great fake shot then dished the puck off to Beau Bennett who roofed his shot over the shoulder of Harrison May.

The Vees second goal of the period came on a powerplay as well. With Garrick Perry in the box for a questionable roughing penalty, Beau Bennett had time and space in the high slot and wired a shot top shelf on Harrison May.

The third period saw the Vees clamp down in defensive mode and shut down the Express. It wasn't a surprise to see the Vees give Burnaby trouble coming out of their own end. And when the Express did break through the Vees tight defence, Joel Rumpel was there to turn aside the 6 Express shots sent his way.

Penticton rounded out the scoring late in the third period as Simon Denis lost his footing behind his own net and Bennett picked up the puck and scored on a wrap around into the empty net to put the game away.

Shots:

Burnaby - 22
Penticton - 22

Powerplays:

Burnaby 1/6
Penticton 2/8

3 stars:

3. Beau Bennett - Led the offensive attack for the victorious Vees.

2. Harrison May - Posted his second straight strong performance in the Express crease in a losing cause.

1. Joel Rumpel - Stopped 21 of 22 Express shots to post his 2nd win of the season vs. the Express.

Now, on paper it's easy to see the Express losing the game. But their strong disciplined game for a full 60 minutes can go a long way to give the Express the confidence that they can play with the league's best. Is it pretty? no. Does it say the Express have the talent that can match the Penticton's, Vernon's etc? no. But what it does say they're capable of executing a game plan that gives them a chance to win vs. the BCHL's elite. And the Express will need a similar performance Sunday afternoon when they welcome the 26-1 Vernon Vipers to the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

The last time Burnaby and Vernon met in early October in Vernon, the Vipers did knock off the Express 4-2. But, Burnaby played a similar disciplined defensive game that day like they did Saturday night vs. Penticton.

The performance the Express put in Saturday will go a long way giving the Express confidence that if they play Sunday like they did Saturday, they might just put themselves in a good position to win as the game winds down.

Sure, Penticton won Saturday night over the Express, but this result is a huge morale boost for this Express team. There's nothing to be disappointed about. The Express gave Penticton all they had Saturday night.

DARCY ROTA INTERVIEW

I spoke with Express President and GM Darcy Rota during the first intermission of Friday's game in Langley. We discussed numerous topics including the struggles on the ice for the Express. And where this club is headed going forward.

Hear from Darcy here.

EXPRESS WIN... EXPRESS WIN

A re-engergized and re-rejuvenated Express team got back in the win column with a 5-4 win on the road over the Langley Chiefs Friday night.

The win for the Express was their first win in 15 road games and snapped their 7 game losing streak overall.

After coming off the road last weekend, there was lots of looking in the mirror in the Express organization and what came out of it was a Express team that was relaxed and ready to try and turn the season around.

The Express got off to a good start when Garrick Perry cut around Brad Goss who was covering for his defenceman and Perry drove the puck to the net and Luke Challier poked the puck home to give the Express a 1-0 lead.

The Chiefs had a quick reply midway through the first period when Travis Irving and Colton Beck scored 1:29 apart to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead.

Dylan Herold pulled the Express even in the final minute on the powerplay. Herold's shot missed the net but the puck bounced off the end boards then off Walsh and into the net to tie the game at 19:48.

Dennis Robertson was instrumental in helping Langley re-take the lead in the 2nd period as Robertson's point shot went off Mitch Pacey's leg and into the net.

The Express didn't get rattled as Garrick Perry pulled the Express even midway through the 2nd period as he came out from behind the Langley net and Perry's shot went off Andrew Walsh's leg and slid in the net to tie the game at 3.

And for the 2nd straight period the Express scored a powerplay goal in the final minute of the period. Rich Manley's first shot was stopped, but the puck was lying in the crease and Manley poked it home to give the Express a 4-3 lead heading to the dressing room.

The goal for Manley was his first goal in 8 games. The Express 2 powerplay goals had nearly matched the Express output on the powerplay in the previous 12 games where the Express were just 3 for 59 on the powerplay heading into Friday's game.

Garrick Perry gave the Express some insurance midway through the 3rd period as Perry cut to the net and with one hand on his stick, Perry slid the puck past Andrew Walsh to give the Express a 5-3 lead. The point for Perry was his 4th of the game.

Stefan Gonzales was called for cross checking at 15:00 and Langley scored on the powerplay as Mac Roy scored on the wrap around to cut the Express lead down to one with 4:06 remaining in the third period.

From that point on, it was nail biting time for the Express as they tried to protect their one goal lead.

Langley pressed hard in the dying minutes looking for the equalizer. The Chiefs were given another powerplay in the final minute as somehow the Express were called for a bench minor when the teams leaving the bench following a Chiefs timeout. The penalty didn't end up coming back to hurt the Express as Harrison May came up with one last clutch save in the dying seconds to preserve the Express victory.

Lots of players stepped up in the Express win. Led offensively by Garrick Perry's 4 point night. Harrison May had a strong performance in the Express crease stopping 39 of 43 Chiefs shots. James Bettauer made his season debut and didn't look out of place logging many big minutes on the Burnaby blueline. Luke Challier was at his aggitating best getting under the skin of the Chiefs in the first half of the game until he was ejected.

Matt Ridley made his return to the lineup playing forward. He was hit hard in the first period and didn't play in the final 2 periods.

Now the Express return home to face the Penticton Vees Saturday night. Then host the defending RBC cup champion Vernon Vipers Sunday afternoon.

GOAL CELLY GONE WRONG...

This will give you a good laugh.

VAN DUYNHOVEN UPDATE

Chris Van Duynhoven and I have been exchanging text messages back and forth Tuesday night. He had his surgery tonight. Obviously he will not be in action for at least a month.

He just wanted me to pass on a message to his family, girlfriend Michelle, freinds, teammates, the fans, and Express coaches and staff saying thank you for all the thoughts and well wishes during this time. Chris would paticularly like to thank Express trainer Wayne Hubbard for all his help during this time.

Get well soon Vandy.

EXPRESS ISLAND TRIP WRAPUP

After opening the Island road trip with a 6-4 loss in Nanaimo, the Express continued their trip Saturday night in Cowichan Valley where the Capitals blanked the Express 3-0.

16 year old Laurent Brossoit stopped all 35 shots he faced including 20 in the third period to post the shutout for the Capitals. It was the 4th time this season that the Express have been blanked in a game.

Mike Hammond opened the scoring on Cowichan Valley's first shot of the game wiring a shot top shelf glove side on Harrison May.

Hammond had a hand on the Caps second goal in the 2nd period as he danced through the Express defence then put a pass on the tape of Nick Anderson who had a tap in at the side of the Express net to give the Capitals a 2-0 lead.

The 2nd period was where the Express let the game slip through their hands. They had 5 powerplays in the middle frame but couldn't score on any of them. Included in those powerplays, was a 5 on 3 advantage for 1:23.

The only team to score with the Express on the powerplay was Cowichan Valley as Joey Massingham scored a shorthanded goal on a 2 on 1 break as he wired a shot over the shoulder of Harrison May to give the Caps a 3-0 lead.

The Express pressed in the third period looking to at least break the goose egg but couldn't get a puck past Laurent Brossoit who came up with 20 saves in the third period to post the shutout.

Sunday, the Express travelled through the beautiful scenery of central Vancouver Island en route to Alberni Valley to wrap up the Island road swing.

It was the 2nd meeting of the season between the Express and the Bulldogs.

The game was scoreless after the first period. Malcom McKinney was one Express player who had a number of decent scoring chances, but couldn't bury one past Dogs goaltender Frank Slubowski.

Late in the first period saw a scary moment, Chris Van Duynhoven fired a slap shot from the blueline, and Alberni Valley forward Warren Muir went down to block the shot, and ended up taking the shot fortunately in the helmet. Another inch another way and Muir is taking that puck in the face. Muir was rattled and went to the room but returned for the start of the 2nd period.

The game remained scoreless until the 14 minute mark of the 2nd period when Alberni Valley's Johnny Rogic lifted a loose puck over former Bulldog Harrison May to open the scoring.

The lead didn't last long as just 30 seconds later Jimmy Geerin went to the net and re-directed a pass from Brad Reid past Slubowski for Gerrin's first goal of the season to tie the game.

Alberni Valley re-stored their lead before the period was done. David Dziurzynski layed a pass on to the tape of a streaking Kevin Ross who was in the clear and Ross beat Harrison May with a deke to the backhand to give Alberni Valley a 2-1 lead heading to the dressing room.

The Dogs added some insurance in the third period on a beautiful passing play off the rush when Jesse Halikas made a nice tip pass on the tape of Johnny Rogic who wired his 2nd of the game upstairs on Harrison May to give the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead.

Then with 4 minutes left in the third period, Alex Petan was called for a double minor for high sticking. While on that powerplay for Alberni Valley, came the game's second scary moment. Luke Fenske's point shot went off a stick and struck Chris Van Dyunhoven square in the face falling the Express defenceman instantly. This time unlike when Van Duynhoven's shot connected with Warren Muir in the helmet, this one caught the Express defenceman and he was in instant agony.

Van Dyunhoven suffered a broken jaw in two places and was taken to the hospital immediately. The Express defenceman travelled home with the team last night was scheduled for surgery Monday morning.

It is amazing how the game of hockey can be a game of inches. The difference of a few inches saved Warren Muir from taking a Chris Van Duynhoven square in the face hitting his helmet. While Fenske's shot a few inches the other way catches the Express defenceman in the face. Ironically, Warren Muir who blocked the Van Dyunhoven shot in the first period was on the ice at the time of Vandy's injury.

Alberni did round out the scoring on a powerplay goal by Mark MacMillan to make the final 4-1 in favour of Alberni Valley.

The biggest concern at this point is Chris Van Duynhoven, get well soon Vandy. Everyone is thinking about you.

And thank you to the Alberni Valley fans expressing their thoughts and best wishes for Van Duynhoven to Alberni Valley Bulldogs broadcaster Evan Hammond who relayed the support to me last night.

The great people in Alberni Valley continue to prove why they are the best fans in the BCHL. 100% pure class. My hats off to you AV.

CLIPPERS GET PAST EXPRESS

The Nanaimo Clippers knocked off the Express 6-4 Friday night at the Frank Crane Arena.

Simon Denis opened the scoring just 34 seconds into the game. That was followed by a goal by Garrick Perry to give the Express an early 2 goal lead.

Carson Schell replied for Nanaimo before the period was done. Cody Bremner then pulled Nanaimo even in the 2nd period on a powerplay.

Denis restored the lead for the Express blasting home his 2nd of the game from the point after a won faceoff.

Luc Oliver Blain pulled Nanaimo even shortly after Denis' goal as Blain jammed the puck under Nick Enegren.

Andrew Gladiuk gave Nanaimo their first lead in the third when his shot beat Enegren up high. Gladiuk then added his second of the game minutes later. He was 1 on 1 with Jimmy Geerin, Gladiuk's shot went off Gerrin and dribbled into the net to the left of Enegren as he was going to his right.

Colby Kulhanek playing in his first Express game scored a powerplay goal after a coast to coast rush by Brad Reid to set up Kulhanek to pull the Express back within one.

That would be as close as the Express would come as Nicholas McIntyre wrapped up the game with an empty net goal to make the final 6-4 in favour of the Clippers.

The win extended Nanaimo's unbeaten streak to 6 games.

The effort was there for Burnaby. They competed hard and played a good road game. They just didn't get the bounces.

The Express now travel to Cowichan Valley Saturday night.

WARRIORS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Saturday's 3-2 Westside win over the Express in overtime.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen and Purple Penguin Productions.

NO BROADCAST TONIGHT

There will be no Burnaby broadcast of tonight's game between the Express and the Warriors.

I am away working the webcast for the Women's Under 18 Championships in Surrey for Hockey Canada.

Gord Doerkson was supposed to fill in for me on play by play duties. But he won't be able to do the broadcast tonight as his computer has crashed on him.

He will be able to to broadcast the return match between the Express and Warriors tommorow night from the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

I will return to the Express both when the Express hit the Island next weekend starting Friday in Nanaimo.

McLELLAN TALKS PUSKAR TRADE

I spoke with Express Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Dave Mclellan after practice today about yesterday's trade that sent Jon Puskar to Quesnel and James Bettauer back to Burnaby.

Hear from Mclellan here.

Listening to Dave, it appears this might just be the tip of the ice berg when it comes to changes of the fortunes of this team doesn't turn around.

It was a rough couple of practices for the boys the last two days with back to back bag skates.

Burnaby has a home and home with Westside this weekend.

OCTOBER MUCH DIFFERENT STORY FOR EXPRESS

At the end of September with the Express coming out of the seasons opening month with a record of 5-0-0-1, I stated we would know the true colors of the Express after a much tougher month of October.

Well, after a 14 game schedule in October, the numbers on the other side of the month are not pretty. The Express went 2-11-0-1 in October. The only 2 wins coming on home ice. The Express lost all 9 games on the road in October picking up just a single point away from home in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Trail Smoke Eaters on October 3rd.

The Express finished October with a visit to Penticton Friday night where the Express were blanked for the 3rd time this season 8-0 by the high octane Vees.

Penticton scored 24 seconds into the game on a goal by Bo Dolan and the Vees were on their way.

Denver Manderson, who spent most of the season sitting atop of the BCHL scoring race was playing in his first career game vs. Burnaby. He put on a show with 3 points 1 goal and 2 assists. Manderson was skating on a line with Garrett Milan and Alex Szczechura. That trio combined 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points.

Taylor Peters, playing in his first game of the season with Penticton scored a shorthanded goal on a breakaway and added 2 assists.

Joel Rumpel started in place of Sean Bonar between the Vees pipes posted the shutout stopping all 33 Express shots. He really stepped up in the 2nd period when the Express sent 18 shots his way.

At the other end of the ice, Harrison May was in goal for the full 60 minutes allowing 8 goals on the 46 shots he faced.

Bo Dolan who opened the scoring, also finished it by scoring the 8th goal of the game.

Penticton played without goaltender Sean Bonar and Joey Laleggia who were missing their first game while representing Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge. The Vees were also without Beau Bennett who is the only non USHL player on the American roster at the WJAC.

Saturday the Express returned home to face the resurrected Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

The Dogs got off to a quick start on a goal by Mitch MacMillan set up on a 2 on 0 break by his younger brother Mark at 2:33. The goal for MacMillan was his BCHL leading 17th of the season.

Alberni Valley then added their second goal of the game on a powerplay by David Dziurzynski before the Express had even registered a shot on goal by the 7:12 mark of the first period.

Warren Muir extended Alberni Valley's lead to three on a powerplay goal in the 2nd period.

The Express cut into the Dogs lead on a shorthanded breakaway goal by Dylan Herold. Then a goal on a 5 on 3 by Matt Ridley. But that would be as close as the Express would come.

Trent Dorais put the game away by hitting the empty net in the third period.

Overall, the Express were a better team at home than on the road in October.

Burnaby was outscored a total of 49-16 in October on the road. While at home, they were 2-3 with wins over the Victoria Grizzlies and Trail Smoke Eaters. The Express outscored their opponents 16-14 on home ice in those 5 home games.

PUSKAR TRADED TO QUESNEL

Well, after a month of October that saw the Express go 2-11-0-1 including going 0-8-0-1 on the road, it's no surprise that the Express have made some changes.

Jon Puskar has been traded to the Quesnel Millionaires in exchange for the playing rights of James Bettauer and future considerations.

Puskar came to the Express this season from the Lincoln Stars of the USHL where he was teammates with Rich Manley.

The Canton Michigan native got off to a good start this season like the team did scoring 6 goals in his first 5 games. However, like many of his teamamates in October, Puskar cooled off considerably scoring just 3 goals in his last 15 games and is goal less in his last 7.

At the time of his trade, Puskar was leading the Express in scoring with 24 points.

Bettauer is 18 years old weighing in at 180lbs. He played last season with the Chilliwack Bruins of the WHL scoring 1 goal and 7 points in 68 games. In 07-08 Bettauer played 42 games and had 3 points with the Penticton Vees.

In another transaction, the Express traded Kai Ohs to the Humboldt Broncos in exchange for future considerations.

BULLDOGS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Alberni Valley's 4-2 win over the Express at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre Saturday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen and Purple Penguin Productions.