The Express got back into the win column Wednesday night as they took the first game of a home and home series this week with the Merritt Centennials with a 7-2 win.
The game marked the return to Merritt for Harrison May. He was one of the few bright spots on a team that won just 13 games a season ago.
Things didn't get off to a good start for May, the Cents opened the scoring midway through the first period as Dustin Johnson scored off a centering pass from Jeff Zmurchyk.
Johnson's goal came on the powerplay for the Centennials. It was the first powerplay goal the Express had allowed since the third period of the seasons opening game in Cowichan Valley. It snapped a streak of 16 consecutive penalty kills for the Express.
Merrit took their lead into the 2nd period. The lead however, didn't last long, Matt Ius scored his first goal of the season just 32 seconds into the 2nd period. The goal was a thing of beauty as it came off the rush, Ius just stepped inside the blueline and fired a laser of a wrist shot top corner stick side on Spencer Bacon.
Hear Ius' first goal here.
Less than 5 minutes later the Express took the lead. Simon Denis cut to the net from the left wing, a huge scramble ensued and Garrick Perry among a mass of humanity in front of the net poked the puck past Bacon.
5 minutes after the Perry goal, the Express struck again. Zac Ashdown cut down the right side on a partial break and fired a snap shot stick side past Bacon to give the Express a 3-1 lead. The goal for Ashdown was his first with the Express.
Burnaby added one more goal before the period was done. Brad Reid and Rich Manley teamed up behind the Merritt net to come up with the puck and Manley walked in front of the net and put a perfect pass on the stick of Jon Puskar who had a tap in for his 4th goal of the season.
The Express tallied four times on eleven shots in the 2nd period. That would be the end of the night for Spencer Bacon who was pulled in favour of Norbert Biszczak for the start of the third period.
The change in goal didn't do much to change Merritt's fortunes, Puskar added his 2nd goal of the game on a powerplay. You can put this one on the growing list of great shots for Puskar as he picked the top corner glove side on Biszczak.
Hear Puskar's 2nd goal here.
The offensive barrage for Burnaby continued, Matt Ius scored his second goal of the game on a breakaway. Jimmy Gerrin hit Zac Ashdown with a stretch pass who then tipped it to Ius who walked in alone and deked to the backhand to put the puck home.
Hear Ius' 2nd goal here.
That goal was followed just 58 seconds later at 10:58 with Dylan Herold scoring on a kick pass by Garrick Perry to give the Express a 7-1 lead.
Dustin Johnson rounded out the scoring with his 2nd of the game with 7 minutes left in the third period.
Final score Express 7 Centennials 2.
It was a balanced attack for the Express on this night. Jon Puskar and Matt Ius each scored twice. Puskar also added an assist to finish with 3 points. Puskar's 5 goals have him in a tie for 2nd in the BCHL in goals.
Eleven players registered at least one point for Burnaby.
This game also had a rough edge to it as 5 separate fights broke out over the course of the game.
Part of that due to the Express playing for one another and proving they wouldn't be pushed around. In the first period, Rich Manley got hit from behind by Jake Baker, Manley took exception and turned around and started pounding away at the Merritt defenceman.
Then in the 2nd period, Baker was in his second fight of the night. Baker wiped out Garrick Perry with a hard clean check along the boards and Zac Ashdown came to Perry's defence dropping the gloves with Baker.
Harrison May stopped 36 of 38 shots for the win in his return to Merritt. He stepped up when he was needed, but wasn't forced to bail his team out in spite of the high shot total.
Burnaby improves their record to 3-0-0-1 with the win. The Express along with the Vernon Vipers are the only teams in the BCHL to not suffer a regulation defeat this season.
Shots:
Burnaby 40
Merritt 38
3 stars:
3. Dustin Johnson - Scored both goals in a losing cause for the Centennials.
2. Harrison May - Successful return to Merritt for May picking up the win with 36 saves.
1. Jon Puskar - His second consecutive 2 goal performance. He also added an assist. Puskar's 9 points are tied for 5th in the BCHL scoring race.
Up next:
vs. Merritt Saturday.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
TURRIS SENT TO AHL
Former Express Kyle Turris was among 5 players the Phoenix Coyotes sent down to their AHL affiliate in San Antonio.
Turris had his ups and downs in his first NHL season last year. He scored just 8 goals and 20 points in 63 games. Turris' +/- rating was nothing to brag about either he was -15 last season.
He also played 8 games in San Antonio last season scoring 4 goals and 7 points.
This pre-season Turris had just 1 goal in 3 games, but was a -3.
Turris was drafted 3rd overall by the Coyotes directly out of Burnaby in 2007.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
EXPRESS VS. KINGS HIGHLIGHTS
Here's the video highlights from Saturday's home opener vs. Powell River.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen of Purple Penguin Productions.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen of Purple Penguin Productions.
EXPRESS AT CROSS ROADS
Click on the link below for an interesting article from the Burnaby News Leader newspaper on the struggles the Express have had in their first 4 seasons in Burnaby.
Click here to read the article
For more on this topic, listen to Express GM Darcy Rota discuss it in a posting below.
Click here to read the article
For more on this topic, listen to Express GM Darcy Rota discuss it in a posting below.
EXPRESS FALL IN OT IN HOME OPENER
The Burnaby Express came home for their first game of the season at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre with a 2-0 record. It is a good start to the season with road wins over Cowichan Valley and Surrey.
Powell River provided Burnaby's competition last night. The Kings are a much different team than the one a season ago that went all the way to the Fred Page Cup final. Powell River lost a tonne of offensive weapons that led the league in goals scored. They had 4 players in the top 6 in league scoring.
The lack of explosive weaponry was reflected in Powell River's two games leading up to Saturday's affair in Burnaby. Powell River had just scored one goal in its previous two games.
The Kings got off to a good start in the game with Carter Shinkaruk scoring off a rebound from the end boards after Cody Rinaldi's shot went over top of the Burnaby net.
The Kings lead didn't last long as the Express had a reply on the powerplay as Brad Reid from the left boards made a beautiful cross ice pass to Jon Puskar who blasted home the pass on a one timer beating Josh Watson.
3 minutes after the Puskar goal at the 15 minute mark of the opening period, the Express struck again. This time shorthanded, Rich Manley and Brad Reid forced a turnover at the Burnaby blueline setting up a 2 on 1 break. Reid dished the puck to Manley, who quickly returned it to Reid who made no mistake going to the backhand to beat Watson to give the Express a 2-1 lead.
Now, if it wasn't for Express goaltender Harrison May, the Express could have at least gone to the dressing room even. May stopped 17 of 18 Powell River shots in the first period.
The Kings did pull even 4 minutes into the second period. Andrew Pettit's shot from the left wing was stopped by May, but he gave up a juicy rebound which was put home by Jordan Grant.
Midway through the 2nd period the Kings had restored their lead. Brenden Forbe's tipped Darcy Huisman's point shot past May to give the Kings a 3-2 lead.
At this point the Kings were starting to carry the play. The shots were significantly in favor of Powell River.
The Express did pull even again in this back and forth game before the period was done. Rich Manley set up Jon Puskar for his 2nd goal of the game. Manley passed it out from behind the Kings net and Puskar tapped it home. The goal came with just 1:37 remaining in the 2nd period.
Despite, the heavy shot advantage in favour of Powell River after 2 periods, 35-20, the Express went to the dressing room all even. Much to the credit of Harrison May keeping his team in the game, and strong penalty killing.
The game settled down in the third period. The penalty killing on both sides really took over with the game on the line. The Express killed off two early Kings powerplays in the third period. Powell River shut down Burnaby's powerplay in the final frame.
As the game was developing, there was one concern that was starting to bubble to the surface. It started Friday night in Surrey when Harrison May lost the puck in his feet and it came in front of a gaping net and May bailed himself out with a spectacular stick save off Jason Grecica.
The issue was showing signs of popping up again Saturday night. May coughed the puck up a few times when playing out of his crease. Or he had trouble finding it in his feet. Watching this unfold, the question arose about whether or not it would come back to hurt the Express on this night?
In the dying seconds of the third period Brad Reid was called for high sticking at 19:51. The Express penalty killing which had been so good all night and 24 hours earlier in Surrey needed their biggest kill of the young season.
The powerplay carried over into overtime giving the Kings a 4 on 3 advantage in the sudden death period. Burnaby met the challenge and passed it with flying colors killing off the Reid penalty and keeping the Express alive. The most notable performance of that penalty kiilling effort was three blocked shots by Burnaby.
Once the penalty expired, perhaps Burnaby would get a boost and press for the game winner. It didn't happen. Harrison May's troubles handling the puck finally hurt his team as he lost the puck behind his net, Chad Niddery stole the puck off May and centered it to Matt Garbowsky put it into the wide open net to give the Kings a 4-3 win.
The loss was the first of the season for Burnaby. Powell River improved their record to 3-1.
When people reflect on Saturday's game vs. Powell River, the goat horns will be placed on Harrison May for coughing up the puck which led to the game winning goal. May also needs to be praised for a strong game to keep his team in the game and allowing the Express to get a point out of it. May stopped 42 of 46 shots.
The Express penalty killing had a second straight strong performance killing off all 6 Kings powerplays. You add to that, the 7 penalties Burnaby killed off Friday night in Surrey, the Express have now killed off 13 consecutive opposition powerplays in the last 2 games.
Shots:
Burnaby 28
Powell River 46
Powerplays:
Burnaby 1/3
Powell River 0/6
3 stars:
3. Jordan Grant - 1 goal for Powell River.
2. Rich Manley - 2 assists in a losing cause.
1. Jon Puskar - Scored two goals and is tied with Rich Manley for the team lead in scoring with 6 points in the first 3 games.
Up next:
Wednesday @ Merritt 7:00. Broadcast begins at 6:45.
Powell River provided Burnaby's competition last night. The Kings are a much different team than the one a season ago that went all the way to the Fred Page Cup final. Powell River lost a tonne of offensive weapons that led the league in goals scored. They had 4 players in the top 6 in league scoring.
The lack of explosive weaponry was reflected in Powell River's two games leading up to Saturday's affair in Burnaby. Powell River had just scored one goal in its previous two games.
The Kings got off to a good start in the game with Carter Shinkaruk scoring off a rebound from the end boards after Cody Rinaldi's shot went over top of the Burnaby net.
The Kings lead didn't last long as the Express had a reply on the powerplay as Brad Reid from the left boards made a beautiful cross ice pass to Jon Puskar who blasted home the pass on a one timer beating Josh Watson.
3 minutes after the Puskar goal at the 15 minute mark of the opening period, the Express struck again. This time shorthanded, Rich Manley and Brad Reid forced a turnover at the Burnaby blueline setting up a 2 on 1 break. Reid dished the puck to Manley, who quickly returned it to Reid who made no mistake going to the backhand to beat Watson to give the Express a 2-1 lead.
Now, if it wasn't for Express goaltender Harrison May, the Express could have at least gone to the dressing room even. May stopped 17 of 18 Powell River shots in the first period.
The Kings did pull even 4 minutes into the second period. Andrew Pettit's shot from the left wing was stopped by May, but he gave up a juicy rebound which was put home by Jordan Grant.
Midway through the 2nd period the Kings had restored their lead. Brenden Forbe's tipped Darcy Huisman's point shot past May to give the Kings a 3-2 lead.
At this point the Kings were starting to carry the play. The shots were significantly in favor of Powell River.
The Express did pull even again in this back and forth game before the period was done. Rich Manley set up Jon Puskar for his 2nd goal of the game. Manley passed it out from behind the Kings net and Puskar tapped it home. The goal came with just 1:37 remaining in the 2nd period.
Despite, the heavy shot advantage in favour of Powell River after 2 periods, 35-20, the Express went to the dressing room all even. Much to the credit of Harrison May keeping his team in the game, and strong penalty killing.
The game settled down in the third period. The penalty killing on both sides really took over with the game on the line. The Express killed off two early Kings powerplays in the third period. Powell River shut down Burnaby's powerplay in the final frame.
As the game was developing, there was one concern that was starting to bubble to the surface. It started Friday night in Surrey when Harrison May lost the puck in his feet and it came in front of a gaping net and May bailed himself out with a spectacular stick save off Jason Grecica.
The issue was showing signs of popping up again Saturday night. May coughed the puck up a few times when playing out of his crease. Or he had trouble finding it in his feet. Watching this unfold, the question arose about whether or not it would come back to hurt the Express on this night?
In the dying seconds of the third period Brad Reid was called for high sticking at 19:51. The Express penalty killing which had been so good all night and 24 hours earlier in Surrey needed their biggest kill of the young season.
The powerplay carried over into overtime giving the Kings a 4 on 3 advantage in the sudden death period. Burnaby met the challenge and passed it with flying colors killing off the Reid penalty and keeping the Express alive. The most notable performance of that penalty kiilling effort was three blocked shots by Burnaby.
Once the penalty expired, perhaps Burnaby would get a boost and press for the game winner. It didn't happen. Harrison May's troubles handling the puck finally hurt his team as he lost the puck behind his net, Chad Niddery stole the puck off May and centered it to Matt Garbowsky put it into the wide open net to give the Kings a 4-3 win.
The loss was the first of the season for Burnaby. Powell River improved their record to 3-1.
When people reflect on Saturday's game vs. Powell River, the goat horns will be placed on Harrison May for coughing up the puck which led to the game winning goal. May also needs to be praised for a strong game to keep his team in the game and allowing the Express to get a point out of it. May stopped 42 of 46 shots.
The Express penalty killing had a second straight strong performance killing off all 6 Kings powerplays. You add to that, the 7 penalties Burnaby killed off Friday night in Surrey, the Express have now killed off 13 consecutive opposition powerplays in the last 2 games.
Shots:
Burnaby 28
Powell River 46
Powerplays:
Burnaby 1/3
Powell River 0/6
3 stars:
3. Jordan Grant - 1 goal for Powell River.
2. Rich Manley - 2 assists in a losing cause.
1. Jon Puskar - Scored two goals and is tied with Rich Manley for the team lead in scoring with 6 points in the first 3 games.
Up next:
Wednesday @ Merritt 7:00. Broadcast begins at 6:45.
DARCY ROTA INTERVIEW
I had a chance to speak with Burnaby Express President and General Manager Darcy Rota during the first intermission of Saturday's game vs. Powell River. We discussed a number of topics, including, the decision to sell at last year's trade deadline and rebuild for this season, the return of Rich Manley, and the future of the franchise in Burnaby.
Hear from Darcy here.
Hear from Darcy here.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
CROWDER ASSIGNED TO HARTFORD
Former Express Paul Crowder was among 5 players the New York Rangers assigned to their AHL affiliate in Hartford. Crowder played with the Express from 04-06. He scored 17 goals, 44 assists for 61 points in 61 career regular season games with the Express.
Crowder was a member of the 2006 Royal Bank Cup championship team. After his time with the Express, Crowder played 3 seasons with the University of Alaska Anchorage on a scholarship. He signed with the Rangers after last season and played 11 games with their AHL affiliate in Hartford in the playoffs. He had 3 assists in those 11 games.
Crowder was a member of the 2006 Royal Bank Cup championship team. After his time with the Express, Crowder played 3 seasons with the University of Alaska Anchorage on a scholarship. He signed with the Rangers after last season and played 11 games with their AHL affiliate in Hartford in the playoffs. He had 3 assists in those 11 games.
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