EXPRESS TRAIN ROLLS TO 4-0

The Express have their best 4 game start in franchise history after improving to 4-0 with a 6-2 win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Sunday.

Balanced scoring from the top weapons and a strong game on both side of the special teams paced the Express attack. And Cole Huggins had another solid game in between the pipes.

Cameron Marks got the offence rolling reading the play and jumping into the rush and cleaned up the rebound of a Mitch Nardi chance to bury his first BCHL goal at 7:24 of the first period.

The Express took their 1-0 lead into the second period. That's when the powerplay got up and running. Malcom McKinnney extended the Express lead 3:24 into the second period as he cut to the net and deked around Jay Deo before sliding the puck home for his second goal of the season and second in as many games.

Justin Georgeson extended the Express lead on their second powerplay of the game. He came off the left wall and wired a perfect shot over the glove of Jay Deo to give the Express a 3-0 lead.

The Bulldogs got one back before the period was done. A shot from the right wing was stopped by Huggins but the rebound was put into the slot where Nathan Craft pounced on it and snapped it home at 18:31.

Early in the third the Express restored their three goal lead with their third powerplay goal of the game. Zach Pryzbek from the slot tipped a Marc Biega point shot to put the Express up 4-1.

Just 14 seconds later however the lead was back down to two as Brandon Halls wired a slap shot that overpowered the glove of Huggins and found the back of the net to cut the score to 4-2.

Less than 4 minutes later Justin Georgeson capped off a 3 point night (2G, 1A) snapping home his second of the game from the left wing off the post and in past Jay Deo.

Brady Shaw rounded out the scoring in the final minute of the game as he was alone in front and was set up and slid the puck home for his 3rd goal of the season.

Multiple point nights were scattered all over the Express side of the scoresheet with 6 players posting multi point nights. Justin Georgeson (2G,1A), Brady Shaw and Malcom McKinney each (1G,1A), Marc Biega, Alex Kerfoot and Mitch Nardi each (2A).

The powerplay finished 3 for 4. And now has struck 5 times in the last two games. The penalty killing remains perfect after killing off all 4 Alberni Valley powerplays. And it's now 20 for 20 to start the season. The strong performance on both sides of the special teams was one of the key contributors to the Express success a year ago.

Cole Huggins made 34 saves on 36 shots to post his 4th win on the season.

The Express will look to improve to 5-0 when they host the Victoria Grizzlies Sunday afternoon.