EXPRESS MIXLR BROADCAST

Saturday, September 20, 2014

SMOKIN HOT ZUCCARINI & POWERPLAY TOO MUCH FOR EXPRESS

There were two things the Express couldn't stop Saturday afternoon which was Charlie Zuccarini and the Trail power play in an 8-3 win over the Express at the second day at the Bauer BCHL showcase.

Zuccarini made his BCHL debut memorable by scoring five times while adding an assist for six points. And Trail's power play scored on five of seven opportunities.

Zuccarini's big day started in a hurry with a pair of goals within the first five minutes of the game. His first came when he banged home the rebound of his original shot and banged it past Brayden Krogfross who made his Express debut. Then less than two minutes later came Trail's first power play goal and Zuccarini's second of the afternoon beating Krogfross with a wrist shot from the right wing.

The fast start certainly gave Trail a lift to start the contest. But slowly the Express began to pick their game up.

Corey Mackin pulled the Express within one on an Express man advantage as he swatted home the puck out of the air after Daniel Fritz's point shot rocketed off the glass.

The goal of the game came midway through the second period as Jake Lucchini with great speed entering the Express zone undressed a defenceman then quickly snapped a shot over the glove of Krogfross for a 3-1 Trail lead.

Like the night before against West Kelowna the Express had a quick response to an opposition goal.

Youngsters Owen Stout and Noah Turanski teamed up for the second Express tally as Stout's shot from the right wing was stopped but the 16 year old Turanski buried home the rebound for his first BCHL goal.

The back and forth between the clubs continued in the second period. Zuccarini capped off the hat-trick on the power play finishing off a great passing play for Trail's third power play goal of the game.

Again the Express had a response before the period was done as Daniel Fritz blasted home his first BCHL goal on the power play to make it a one goal game going to the third at 4-3.

The third period proved once and for all this game belonged to the Trail power play and Zuccarini.

Bryan Gerstenfeld and Craig Martin scored the fourth and fifth power play goals for Trail. The five power play goals is the most the Express have allowed on a game since November 28th 2009 vs. Nanaimo. The franchise is six set by Surrey in 2007.

Then Zuccarini point an exclamation point on his big game with a shorthanded goal for his fourth of the game and capped off the debut to remember in the final minute scoring on a breakaway by popping the puck in the top corner with ease.

Saturday's game was the second time a player had scored five goals in a game against the Express matching the franchise record initially set by David Ullman off the Burnaby Bulldogs November 17th 2001 during the Express inaugural season.

The showcase saw the Express get outscored 14-5 in the two games and get outshot 95-55.

Friday will be a special night in Coquitlam for the home opener to raise the 2014 Fred Page Cup championship banner and debut the new white jerseys with the black and gold trim. 

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