EXPRESS MIXLR BROADCAST

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

FARRELL PLAYS OT HERO FOR EXPRESS VS. EAGLES

Dallas Farrell scored twice including the overtime winner as the Express won for a 4th time in 5 games, 6-5 over Surrey.  Click here for boxscore



The win comes despite the best efforts of former Express Jake Toor who scored his first BCHL hat-trick.

Like Sunday vs. Alberni Valley, the Express came out fast forcing the Eagles to struggle to keep up.

Connor Gregga opened the scoring converting a Jordan Schulting setup from the slot just shy of the 8 minute mark. Gregga's goal came after he fanned a great chance in the slot 20 seconds previous.

At the time of the goal the Express had a 7-0 advantage in shots. Surrey didn't register their first shot until 20 seconds after Gregga's goal. The shots finished 15-6 in favour of the Express.

An early second period defensive lapse allowed Jake Toor to find himself alone in front of Clay Stevenson and Toor slid home his first of the afternoon.

The goal gave Surrey jump and 1:23 later it was a 2-1 Surrey lead on a goal from Corey Clfiton snapping a shot past Stevenson following an Express turnover at the offensive blueline.

The spark Surrey received following the two quick goals set the stage for 90 seconds of Surrey pressure in the Express zone which very nearly resulted in a 3-1 Surrey lead.

Wednesday was the first time that Ty Westgard and Aaron White for the Express and Cole Edgerton for Surrey faced their former teams following the trade last Wednesday.

It was Westgard scoring his first Express goal on a scramble in front of the Surrey net for a powerplay goal to tie the game at 2.



That goal appeared to spark the Express who picked up their pace again and soon took their second lead of the game on a goal from Jared Power who snapped his 7th of the season after taking a Ty Westgard drop pass. The former Eagles captain finished with one goal and an assist against his former team. White and Edgerton didn't register points.

Dallas Farrell then capped off three Express goals in 4:24 taking a feed on the right wing and ripping a shot short side over the glove of Cole Dolan to give the Express a 4-2 lead.

The two goal lead appeared to be safe heading into the third period, then Jake Toor struck again. He hustled after a loose puck deep in the corner as the period was winding down and banked in his second of the game with one second left in the period.

Toor then capped off his first BCHL hat-trick in the opening minute of the third period hustling after  a puck that was flipped into the Express zone then snapping a shot through the pads of Clay Stevenson to tie the game at 4.

Reigning BCHL player of the week Regan Kimens did his part to help shake off the pesky Eagles. He took a pass from behind the net from Alex DiPaolo and snapped home his 15th of the season.

Midway through the period Holden Katzalay was whistled for a double minor high sticking penalty on Kabir Gill. And despite Express pressure, they couldn't extend their lead. They almost gave up the equalizer on the powerplay when Riley Hayles put a shot off the goal post on a two on one with Toor.

Corey Clifton tied the game at 5 with just over three minutes to play snapping a shot from the left wing boards that beat Stevenson on the short side.

The goal ensured for a 3rd time in 4 games the Express would go to overtime.

Holden Katzalay nearly won it for Surrey in the opening minute on a redirection in front of Clay Stevenson.

The first good chance for the Express was a backdoor pass by Josh Wildauer on the tape of Dallas Farrell, but the forward couldn't get the puck up high enough on Dolan who made the glove save.

Farrell wouldn't miss on a second chance moments later converting a set up from Alex DiPaolo on a similar looking play.

The Express finished the game outshooting Surrey 49-23. The Express weren't whistled for a single penalty this season while finishing 1 for 6 on the powerplay.

Langley will visit Coquitlam to cap off the 6 game home stand in the first game of a home and home with the Rivermen. 

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