I had the pleasure and privledge to interview former Vancouver Canuck goaltender Cesare Maniago and during the first intermission of Wednesday's game vs. Trail.
Hear my interview with Cesare Maniago here.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
CESARE MANIAGO INTERVIEW
I had the pleasure and privledge to interview former Vancouver Canuck goaltender Cesare Maniago and during the first intermission of Wednesday's game vs. Trail.
Hear my interview with Cesare Maniago here.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
EXPRESS GO WINLESS ON THE ISLAND
Saturday the Burnaby Express were blanked 4-0 by the Victoria Grizzlies. Former Express Richie Virtanen got the shutout in his first game vs. his old team stopping all 26 shots he faced.
Brandon Fagerhiem and Dustin Mowrey scored first period goals for Victoria. That was followed by 2nd period goals from Sam Grist and Gregory Simpson.
Harrison May was pulled in place of Nick Enegren for the third period. Enegren stopped all 5 shots he faced in the third period.
The road trip wrapped up Sunday afternoon in Powell River. It was the second meeting of the season between the Express and Powell River with the Kings winning the first meeting September 19th in overtime.
Powell River opened the scoring on a double minor powerplay with Reid Campbell's point shot going off a skate past Nick Enegren.
The Kings took that lead into the 2nd period. Burnaby again responded with another strong middle frame taking a 3-1 lead.
First, Brad Reid scored on a 2 on 1 with Jon Puskar to even the score. The Express then took the lead on the powerplay when David Dotan playing in his third game with the Express scored with a wrist shot from the left point.
Dotan's goal was his first in junior. He didn't score a goal in his 46 career games with Prince Albert of the WHL.
Then Reid added his 2nd of the game in the final minute of the 2nd period with the Express on another powerplay. Puskar again set up Reid with a cross ice pass and Reid made no mistake.
Burnaby took their two goal lead to the third period and the Express appeared to be in good shape to snap their losing streak.
Powell River pulled within one when Andrew Pettitt scored from the left wing just 3:12 into the third period.
Then Powell River tied the game up with Darcy Huisman fired a great pass from the Kings goal line right on the tape of Chad Niddery at the Express blueline. Niddery made no mistake on the breakaway beating Enegren upstairs.
Then the Kings took the lead on a powerplay with Jordan Grant's wrist shot from the right circle beating Enegren to the stick side to give Powell River the lead with 3:20 left in the third period.
The Express weren't able to pull even and the Kings picked up the win in comeback fashion 4-3.
Burnaby has lost their last 6 games all on the road. They have only picked up one point during their current slump. That coming last Saturday when they lost 5-4 in Trail in overtime.
The Express will look to get back in the win column Wednesday night when Trail makes their only visit to the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.
Brandon Fagerhiem and Dustin Mowrey scored first period goals for Victoria. That was followed by 2nd period goals from Sam Grist and Gregory Simpson.
Harrison May was pulled in place of Nick Enegren for the third period. Enegren stopped all 5 shots he faced in the third period.
The road trip wrapped up Sunday afternoon in Powell River. It was the second meeting of the season between the Express and Powell River with the Kings winning the first meeting September 19th in overtime.
Powell River opened the scoring on a double minor powerplay with Reid Campbell's point shot going off a skate past Nick Enegren.
The Kings took that lead into the 2nd period. Burnaby again responded with another strong middle frame taking a 3-1 lead.
First, Brad Reid scored on a 2 on 1 with Jon Puskar to even the score. The Express then took the lead on the powerplay when David Dotan playing in his third game with the Express scored with a wrist shot from the left point.
Dotan's goal was his first in junior. He didn't score a goal in his 46 career games with Prince Albert of the WHL.
Then Reid added his 2nd of the game in the final minute of the 2nd period with the Express on another powerplay. Puskar again set up Reid with a cross ice pass and Reid made no mistake.
Burnaby took their two goal lead to the third period and the Express appeared to be in good shape to snap their losing streak.
Powell River pulled within one when Andrew Pettitt scored from the left wing just 3:12 into the third period.
Then Powell River tied the game up with Darcy Huisman fired a great pass from the Kings goal line right on the tape of Chad Niddery at the Express blueline. Niddery made no mistake on the breakaway beating Enegren upstairs.
Then the Kings took the lead on a powerplay with Jordan Grant's wrist shot from the right circle beating Enegren to the stick side to give Powell River the lead with 3:20 left in the third period.
The Express weren't able to pull even and the Kings picked up the win in comeback fashion 4-3.
Burnaby has lost their last 6 games all on the road. They have only picked up one point during their current slump. That coming last Saturday when they lost 5-4 in Trail in overtime.
The Express will look to get back in the win column Wednesday night when Trail makes their only visit to the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.
Friday, October 9, 2009
EXPRESS A NO SHOW IN NANAIMO
After a winless three game road trip for the Express last weekend in the Interior, the table was set for the Express to respond on the Island.
Well, if there is a response from the Express on its way, it didn't show Friday night in Nanaimo.
The Express lost their fourth straight game 3-1 Friday night to the Clippers.
Gord and I expected the Express to show they were going to turn their game around and have a positive response in the opening game of the weekend.
We expected the Express to set the tone early. Be physical and send a message that things will be different for the Express on this night.
Speaking with the coaches prior to the game, there was talk of the Express looking to be agressive on the forecheck, and try and get off to a good start.
It didn't happen. The strong forecheck, and physical play and strong start came from the Clippers who were seeking their first win on home ice this season.
Nanaimo swarmed Burnaby in the opening 20 minutes. And the Clippers were rewarded with their strong start. They opened the scoring on a powerplay when Cody Bremner dished the puck across to Luc Olivier Blain who chipped it over Harrison May.
4 minutes following Blain's goal, the Clippers struck again as Carsen Schell from the right boards put a pass on the tape of Joe Perry in the high slot who beat May with a quick wrist shot stick side.
There was no positives for the Express in the opening period. Burnaby was outshot 13-2 in the games opening period. Both of Burnaby's shots came from long range.
After a chance to regroup after the opening period, Gord and I expected a response from the Express to try and battle back. The Express were better and the play evened out a little.
But it was Nanaimo adding to their lead. The Clippers won a faceoff in the Express zone and Kyle Weber's point shot was stopped, but Joe Perry put home the rebound for his 2nd of the game to give Nanaimo a 3-0 lead.
The Express did get on the board on the powerplay shortly after Perry's goal when Jimmy Geerin's point shot was stopped by Loic Boivin and Jon Puskar banged home the rebound for his 7th goal of the season and first goal in 5 games.
Nanaimo took their lead to the third period and in the final 20 minutes, Gord and I expected the Express to pick their game up in an attempt to start a comeback. That push from the Express never came.
There was no desperation. Boivin wasn't overly busy and Nanaimo just allowed the clock to do its thing and count down to zero.
Final score:
Clippers 3 Express 1.
There is nothing postive to take out of this game from an Express point of view. The periods of strong play were very few and very far between. This game in a way is a polar opposite game than the Salmon Arm matchup a week ago from this perespective, in Salmon Arm the Express lost 7-2 but the game was much closer that what shows in the boxscore. On this night in Nanaimo, the game wasn't as close as a 3-1 loss shows in the boxscore. To be brutually honest the Express didn't show up at all.
It doesn't get any eaiser in Victoria tommorow night. The question becomes can the Express respond with a strong performance tommorow? Who knows. They were supposed to respond with a strong game Friday in Nanaimo. Instead, they laid an egg. The only way to find out will be when we see how they play when the puck drops at 7:15 Saturday night.
Shots:
Burnaby 27
Nanaimo 33
3 stars:
3. Victor Newell
2. Carson Schell
1. Joe Perry
Powerplays:
Burnaby 1/3
Nanaimo 1/5
Well, if there is a response from the Express on its way, it didn't show Friday night in Nanaimo.
The Express lost their fourth straight game 3-1 Friday night to the Clippers.
Gord and I expected the Express to show they were going to turn their game around and have a positive response in the opening game of the weekend.
We expected the Express to set the tone early. Be physical and send a message that things will be different for the Express on this night.
Speaking with the coaches prior to the game, there was talk of the Express looking to be agressive on the forecheck, and try and get off to a good start.
It didn't happen. The strong forecheck, and physical play and strong start came from the Clippers who were seeking their first win on home ice this season.
Nanaimo swarmed Burnaby in the opening 20 minutes. And the Clippers were rewarded with their strong start. They opened the scoring on a powerplay when Cody Bremner dished the puck across to Luc Olivier Blain who chipped it over Harrison May.
4 minutes following Blain's goal, the Clippers struck again as Carsen Schell from the right boards put a pass on the tape of Joe Perry in the high slot who beat May with a quick wrist shot stick side.
There was no positives for the Express in the opening period. Burnaby was outshot 13-2 in the games opening period. Both of Burnaby's shots came from long range.
After a chance to regroup after the opening period, Gord and I expected a response from the Express to try and battle back. The Express were better and the play evened out a little.
But it was Nanaimo adding to their lead. The Clippers won a faceoff in the Express zone and Kyle Weber's point shot was stopped, but Joe Perry put home the rebound for his 2nd of the game to give Nanaimo a 3-0 lead.
The Express did get on the board on the powerplay shortly after Perry's goal when Jimmy Geerin's point shot was stopped by Loic Boivin and Jon Puskar banged home the rebound for his 7th goal of the season and first goal in 5 games.
Nanaimo took their lead to the third period and in the final 20 minutes, Gord and I expected the Express to pick their game up in an attempt to start a comeback. That push from the Express never came.
There was no desperation. Boivin wasn't overly busy and Nanaimo just allowed the clock to do its thing and count down to zero.
Final score:
Clippers 3 Express 1.
There is nothing postive to take out of this game from an Express point of view. The periods of strong play were very few and very far between. This game in a way is a polar opposite game than the Salmon Arm matchup a week ago from this perespective, in Salmon Arm the Express lost 7-2 but the game was much closer that what shows in the boxscore. On this night in Nanaimo, the game wasn't as close as a 3-1 loss shows in the boxscore. To be brutually honest the Express didn't show up at all.
It doesn't get any eaiser in Victoria tommorow night. The question becomes can the Express respond with a strong performance tommorow? Who knows. They were supposed to respond with a strong game Friday in Nanaimo. Instead, they laid an egg. The only way to find out will be when we see how they play when the puck drops at 7:15 Saturday night.
Shots:
Burnaby 27
Nanaimo 33
3 stars:
3. Victor Newell
2. Carson Schell
1. Joe Perry
Powerplays:
Burnaby 1/3
Nanaimo 1/5
Thursday, October 8, 2009
EXPRESS VS. CLIPPERS PRIMER
Game preview for October 9, 2009 @ Nanaimo.
Records:
Burnaby: 5-2-0-2 - 12 points - 4th in Coastal Conference
Nanaimo: 2-5-0-3 - 7 points - 8th in Coastal Conference
Burnaby road record: 3-2-0-1
Nanaimo home record: 0-3-0-2
- 2nd meeting of the season between the two teams. Express won the first meeting of the season 3-2 Sept. 27 @ Burnaby.
- Express winless in their last 3 games (o-2-0-1) on road last weekend in Salmon Arm, Trail and Vernon.
- First game of 3 game road trip for Burnaby. In Nanaimo Friday, Victoria Saturday, Powell River Sunday afternoon.
- Clippers lost last 4 games. Shutout in last 2 outings. 3-0 Saturday @ Alberni Valley, 1-0 Sunday vs. Powell River. Shutout streak of 1:53:59
- 4 of 5 Clipper home games decided by one goal. Two of those games have gone to overtime.
- Prior to losing 1-0 Sunday at home vs. Powell River, Nanaimo scored at least 4 goals in each of their first 4 home games.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
BBY PP – 9/39 – 23.08% 5th in BCHL
NAN PK – 74.6% 13th in BCHL
NAN PP – 9/63 – 14.29% 15th in BCHL
BBY PK – 78.57% 10th in BCHL
OVERTIME RECORDS
BBY 0-2-0
NAN 1-3-0
PLAYER STREAKS
Rich Manley – 9 game point streak to start season – 7G, 7A, 14PTS
Luke Challier – Accumulated all his points during current 5 game point streak – 3G, 3A,PTS
Garrick Perry & Jon Puskar – Goalless in their last 4 games.
MILESTONES
Jimmy Geerin plays 100th career BCHL game Friday vs. Nanaimo.
Records:
Burnaby: 5-2-0-2 - 12 points - 4th in Coastal Conference
Nanaimo: 2-5-0-3 - 7 points - 8th in Coastal Conference
Burnaby road record: 3-2-0-1
Nanaimo home record: 0-3-0-2
- 2nd meeting of the season between the two teams. Express won the first meeting of the season 3-2 Sept. 27 @ Burnaby.
- Express winless in their last 3 games (o-2-0-1) on road last weekend in Salmon Arm, Trail and Vernon.
- First game of 3 game road trip for Burnaby. In Nanaimo Friday, Victoria Saturday, Powell River Sunday afternoon.
- Clippers lost last 4 games. Shutout in last 2 outings. 3-0 Saturday @ Alberni Valley, 1-0 Sunday vs. Powell River. Shutout streak of 1:53:59
- 4 of 5 Clipper home games decided by one goal. Two of those games have gone to overtime.
- Prior to losing 1-0 Sunday at home vs. Powell River, Nanaimo scored at least 4 goals in each of their first 4 home games.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
BBY PP – 9/39 – 23.08% 5th in BCHL
NAN PK – 74.6% 13th in BCHL
NAN PP – 9/63 – 14.29% 15th in BCHL
BBY PK – 78.57% 10th in BCHL
OVERTIME RECORDS
BBY 0-2-0
NAN 1-3-0
PLAYER STREAKS
Rich Manley – 9 game point streak to start season – 7G, 7A, 14PTS
Luke Challier – Accumulated all his points during current 5 game point streak – 3G, 3A,PTS
Garrick Perry & Jon Puskar – Goalless in their last 4 games.
MILESTONES
Jimmy Geerin plays 100th career BCHL game Friday vs. Nanaimo.
Monday, October 5, 2009
EXPRESS GO WINLESS ON INTERIOR TRIP
It wasn't a weekend to remember for the Burnaby Express through the Interior.
After dropping the opening game Friday 7-2 in Salmon Arm for Burnaby's first regulation loss of the season, the trip continued Saturday in Trail where the Express fell 5-4 in overtime. Then the trip wrapped up Sunday in Vernon where the Express fell 4-2 to the defending RBC Cup champion Vipers.
Saturday in Trail, Burnaby played without captain Dylan Herold who was suspended for this one after being involved in a second fight while Matt Ius was in a fight of his own.
Saturday, the Express faced a Trail Smoke Eaters club that had just one win on the season heading into the game. The Smokies opened the scoring less than 6 minutes in when Tye Lewis split the Express defence, Harrison May poked the puck away, but Paul Mailey and followed up and poked the rebound home.
The opening 20 minutes wasn't the greatest for the Express. They were sloppy coming out of their own end. However, in spite of the poor start, the Express found a way to pull even before the period was done. Garrick Perry muscled the puck to the front of the net and Matt Ius found the loose puck in the crease and poked it home.
The 2nd period which has been Burnaby's best period all season saw the club improve their play and they took the lead for the first time 5 minutes into the period as Luke Challier tapped in a pass at the lip of the crease.
Trail tied it up late in the period on a powerplay. The Smokies won the faceoff in the Express zone, Graeme Strukoff's point shot didn't get through but bounced right to Travis St. Denis who whipped it past Harrison May.
The game didn't remain tied for long, with the Express on a powerplay in the final minute of the period, they got the puck to the net and Rich Manley had a great chance in front, he was robbed on his initial shot by Garrett Beckwith who got most of Manley's shot, but Manley remained persistent and banged the rebound home to give the Express a 3-2 lead heading into the 3rd period.
At this point through 40 minutes, the feeling was that the game was far from over. Trail at this point was gaining confidence and knew they had a shot heading into the final frame.
Trail pulled even 6 minutes into the third period as Justin Brown's screen shot from the right circle beat Harrison May.
6 minutes later, the Smokies took the lead. Chris Van Dyunhoven pinched at the Trail line and didn't get the puck allowing the Smoke Eaters to break away on a 2 on 1. Nick Sander's shot was stopped, but former Surrey Eagle Darnell Dyck put home the rebound to put Trail in the lead.
Now, the Express were in real danger of falling for a 2nd consecutive game. The Express did manage to tie the game in the final minute with an extra attacker. Brad Reid found the puck lying in the crease and roofed a backhand over Beckwith to tie the game at 4 and send it to overtime.
It was Burnaby's 2nd overtime game of the season. They dropped their home opener 4-3 in overtime to Powell River.
Midway through the 4 on 4 overtime the game was decided, Tye Lewis picked up the puck in his own zone, skated into the Express zone and fired a laser of a wrist shot over the glove of Harrison May to give Trail just their 2nd win of the season.
Burnaby didn't play their best game on this night. There were numerous players who struggled vs. the Smoke Eaters.
Dylan Herold's absence due to suspension showed how valuable the captain is to this Express team. Alex Petan and Luke Challier both spent time playing in Herold's spot along side Garrick Perry and Matt Ius and Herold's absence limited the effectiveness of the line.
This was the game that on paper appeared to the the most likely for a Burnaby win, but let a great opportunity slip through their hands.
Shots:
Burnaby 34
Trail 39
Powerplays:
Burnaby 1/4
Trail 1/5
3 stars:
3. Justin Brown - Scored the game tying goal in the third period and added an assist.
2. Matt Ius - 1 goal and 2 assists in a losing cause for the Express.
1. Tye Lewis - Set up the opening goal of the game by Paul Mailey and scored the game winning goal in overtime.
The final stop of the weekend trip through the interior was going to be the toughest test of them all. The Express paid a visit to the defending RBC Cup Champion Vernon Vipers.
Both teams were playing their third game in 3 nights. And for Vernon, they would be a little testy after suffering their first loss in 19 games dating back to last seasons playoffs the night before vs. Penticton by a score of 2-0.
Penticton used a passive trap and patient game and scored on the few chances they had as they were able to manage only 15 shots. The Express would need to play a similar type game on this day if they wanted to put themselves in a position to try and knock off the Vipers.
The strategy was working out well for Burnaby in the opening period. The game was scoreless after 20 minutes. Both teams had their chances. Alex Petan had 2 quality chances in the opening period.
Both teams also rang shots off the crossbar. Matt Ius did so late in the period for Burnaby and Adam Thompson did the same for Vernon a few minutes later.
Shots were 11-4 in favour of Vernon after the opening 20 minutes.
The Express were shorthanded early in the 2nd period with Rich Manley being called for boarding. The Express killed off the penalty and caught a break when the penalty had expired, the Vipers played the puck back to the Burnaby blueline, but the pass split the Viper defenceman and came right to Manley coming out of the penalty box and he went in on the breakaway and deked past Graeme Gordon to give the Express a 1-0 lead.
The goal for Manley extended his point streak. He has a point in all 9 Express games this season.
The Express came close to grabbing a 2-0 lead. Brad Reid had a glorious chance in front of the Vernon net, Reid deked to the backhand and appeared to have Gordon beat, but somehow while lying on his stomach, Gordon lifted his right leg to rob the Express forward. It was one of the most spectacular saves i've ever seen in the BCHL.
Burnaby continued their disciplined defensive game throughout the 2nd period. Vernon finally broke through in the final minute of the period as Dan Nycholat from the left point put the puck towards the goal and Dylan Walchuk at the side of the net tipped the puck into the open side to tie the game with a powerplay goal at 19:51.
Not a bad spot to be in for Burnaby all even up with the Vipers through 2 periods of play.
That set up what would turn out to be a wild third period.
Vernon took the lead for the first time as a shot from the left side was stopped by Harrison May, the rebound was lying in the goal crease for what seemed like an eternity and finally Mike Collins poked it home to give Vernon their first lead of the game.
Now the Express were in tough as Vernon is a very difficult team to play against once they have the lead. They're very good at shutting the game down.
Moments after Collins' tally, Luke Challier was called for boarding and the Express needed their biggest penalty kill of the game.
During the powerplay came one of the first wild moments of the third period, Adam Thompson drilled a one timer from the point off the glass behind Harrison May and shattering it forcing a lengthy delay.
The maintenance crew then went to work replacing the glass and after a few minutes it appeared they completed their job and the game would resume. Nope. Only after it was installed, the crew realized they replaced the shattered glass with a piece of glass that was a few inches too short and needed to replace the new glass with a piece that was the correct height. Once, the crew installed a proper piece of glass, the zamboni resurfaced the ice to make sure no small pieces of glass were lying on the ice.
The delay lasted approximately 25-30 minutes.
Once the game resumed, the craziness continued, the Express killed off the penalty to Challier and moments later Challier tied the game. Konrad Sander's shot from the left wing rang off the post and the rebound bounced out to the circle then off Challier and into the net to pull the Express even at 10:42.
The game didn't remained tied for long thanks to another wild goal. 1:01 later the Vipers restored their lead off a scramble in front of Harrison May and in that scramble Jonathan Milhouse poked it home.
Now that Vernon had the lead, they weren't going to give it up. At 5 on 5 the Vipers deployed their trap and really limited Burnaby's chances giving them trouble coming out of their own zone.
The Express did have a pair of powerplays to attempt to pull even. Brad Reid had another great chance on the first powerplay and was again robbed from the high slot by Gordon. That would turn out to be the Express best chance to tie the game.
Vernon rounded out the scoring in the final minute with the Express on one last powerplay. Mike Collins intercepted a d to d pass at the blueline and sent the puck down the ice to seal the win for Vernon with the empty net goal.
Final score:
Vernon 4 Burnaby 2.
Sure the loss for Burnaby was their third straight on this trip. But the Express can come away from the loss to the Vipers with the knowledge that they can play with the league's elite. Sure it wasn't pretty, but the Express did an excellent job staying to the defensive game plan allowing them to have a chance to win. If it were not for Graeme Gordon robbing Brad Reid twice in the game, the Express would have at least taken the Vipers to overtime.
Burnaby's defensive play kept Vernon to the perimeter of the ice for the most part limiting their quality scoring chances.
Shots:
Burnaby 20
Vernon 34
Powerplays:
Burnaby 0/3
Vernon 1/4
3 stars:
3. Rich Manley - Opened the scoring with a breakaway goal in the 2nd period.
2. Jonathan Milhouse - Scored the game winning goal and added an assist for the Vipers.
1. Mike Collins - 2 goals and 1 assist for the victorious Vipers.
Up next:
The Express head back on the road for another 3 games this coming weekend in Nanaimo, Victoria and Powell River.
After dropping the opening game Friday 7-2 in Salmon Arm for Burnaby's first regulation loss of the season, the trip continued Saturday in Trail where the Express fell 5-4 in overtime. Then the trip wrapped up Sunday in Vernon where the Express fell 4-2 to the defending RBC Cup champion Vipers.
Saturday in Trail, Burnaby played without captain Dylan Herold who was suspended for this one after being involved in a second fight while Matt Ius was in a fight of his own.
Saturday, the Express faced a Trail Smoke Eaters club that had just one win on the season heading into the game. The Smokies opened the scoring less than 6 minutes in when Tye Lewis split the Express defence, Harrison May poked the puck away, but Paul Mailey and followed up and poked the rebound home.
The opening 20 minutes wasn't the greatest for the Express. They were sloppy coming out of their own end. However, in spite of the poor start, the Express found a way to pull even before the period was done. Garrick Perry muscled the puck to the front of the net and Matt Ius found the loose puck in the crease and poked it home.
The 2nd period which has been Burnaby's best period all season saw the club improve their play and they took the lead for the first time 5 minutes into the period as Luke Challier tapped in a pass at the lip of the crease.
Trail tied it up late in the period on a powerplay. The Smokies won the faceoff in the Express zone, Graeme Strukoff's point shot didn't get through but bounced right to Travis St. Denis who whipped it past Harrison May.
The game didn't remain tied for long, with the Express on a powerplay in the final minute of the period, they got the puck to the net and Rich Manley had a great chance in front, he was robbed on his initial shot by Garrett Beckwith who got most of Manley's shot, but Manley remained persistent and banged the rebound home to give the Express a 3-2 lead heading into the 3rd period.
At this point through 40 minutes, the feeling was that the game was far from over. Trail at this point was gaining confidence and knew they had a shot heading into the final frame.
Trail pulled even 6 minutes into the third period as Justin Brown's screen shot from the right circle beat Harrison May.
6 minutes later, the Smokies took the lead. Chris Van Dyunhoven pinched at the Trail line and didn't get the puck allowing the Smoke Eaters to break away on a 2 on 1. Nick Sander's shot was stopped, but former Surrey Eagle Darnell Dyck put home the rebound to put Trail in the lead.
Now, the Express were in real danger of falling for a 2nd consecutive game. The Express did manage to tie the game in the final minute with an extra attacker. Brad Reid found the puck lying in the crease and roofed a backhand over Beckwith to tie the game at 4 and send it to overtime.
It was Burnaby's 2nd overtime game of the season. They dropped their home opener 4-3 in overtime to Powell River.
Midway through the 4 on 4 overtime the game was decided, Tye Lewis picked up the puck in his own zone, skated into the Express zone and fired a laser of a wrist shot over the glove of Harrison May to give Trail just their 2nd win of the season.
Burnaby didn't play their best game on this night. There were numerous players who struggled vs. the Smoke Eaters.
Dylan Herold's absence due to suspension showed how valuable the captain is to this Express team. Alex Petan and Luke Challier both spent time playing in Herold's spot along side Garrick Perry and Matt Ius and Herold's absence limited the effectiveness of the line.
This was the game that on paper appeared to the the most likely for a Burnaby win, but let a great opportunity slip through their hands.
Shots:
Burnaby 34
Trail 39
Powerplays:
Burnaby 1/4
Trail 1/5
3 stars:
3. Justin Brown - Scored the game tying goal in the third period and added an assist.
2. Matt Ius - 1 goal and 2 assists in a losing cause for the Express.
1. Tye Lewis - Set up the opening goal of the game by Paul Mailey and scored the game winning goal in overtime.
The final stop of the weekend trip through the interior was going to be the toughest test of them all. The Express paid a visit to the defending RBC Cup Champion Vernon Vipers.
Both teams were playing their third game in 3 nights. And for Vernon, they would be a little testy after suffering their first loss in 19 games dating back to last seasons playoffs the night before vs. Penticton by a score of 2-0.
Penticton used a passive trap and patient game and scored on the few chances they had as they were able to manage only 15 shots. The Express would need to play a similar type game on this day if they wanted to put themselves in a position to try and knock off the Vipers.
The strategy was working out well for Burnaby in the opening period. The game was scoreless after 20 minutes. Both teams had their chances. Alex Petan had 2 quality chances in the opening period.
Both teams also rang shots off the crossbar. Matt Ius did so late in the period for Burnaby and Adam Thompson did the same for Vernon a few minutes later.
Shots were 11-4 in favour of Vernon after the opening 20 minutes.
The Express were shorthanded early in the 2nd period with Rich Manley being called for boarding. The Express killed off the penalty and caught a break when the penalty had expired, the Vipers played the puck back to the Burnaby blueline, but the pass split the Viper defenceman and came right to Manley coming out of the penalty box and he went in on the breakaway and deked past Graeme Gordon to give the Express a 1-0 lead.
The goal for Manley extended his point streak. He has a point in all 9 Express games this season.
The Express came close to grabbing a 2-0 lead. Brad Reid had a glorious chance in front of the Vernon net, Reid deked to the backhand and appeared to have Gordon beat, but somehow while lying on his stomach, Gordon lifted his right leg to rob the Express forward. It was one of the most spectacular saves i've ever seen in the BCHL.
Burnaby continued their disciplined defensive game throughout the 2nd period. Vernon finally broke through in the final minute of the period as Dan Nycholat from the left point put the puck towards the goal and Dylan Walchuk at the side of the net tipped the puck into the open side to tie the game with a powerplay goal at 19:51.
Not a bad spot to be in for Burnaby all even up with the Vipers through 2 periods of play.
That set up what would turn out to be a wild third period.
Vernon took the lead for the first time as a shot from the left side was stopped by Harrison May, the rebound was lying in the goal crease for what seemed like an eternity and finally Mike Collins poked it home to give Vernon their first lead of the game.
Now the Express were in tough as Vernon is a very difficult team to play against once they have the lead. They're very good at shutting the game down.
Moments after Collins' tally, Luke Challier was called for boarding and the Express needed their biggest penalty kill of the game.
During the powerplay came one of the first wild moments of the third period, Adam Thompson drilled a one timer from the point off the glass behind Harrison May and shattering it forcing a lengthy delay.
The maintenance crew then went to work replacing the glass and after a few minutes it appeared they completed their job and the game would resume. Nope. Only after it was installed, the crew realized they replaced the shattered glass with a piece of glass that was a few inches too short and needed to replace the new glass with a piece that was the correct height. Once, the crew installed a proper piece of glass, the zamboni resurfaced the ice to make sure no small pieces of glass were lying on the ice.
The delay lasted approximately 25-30 minutes.
Once the game resumed, the craziness continued, the Express killed off the penalty to Challier and moments later Challier tied the game. Konrad Sander's shot from the left wing rang off the post and the rebound bounced out to the circle then off Challier and into the net to pull the Express even at 10:42.
The game didn't remained tied for long thanks to another wild goal. 1:01 later the Vipers restored their lead off a scramble in front of Harrison May and in that scramble Jonathan Milhouse poked it home.
Now that Vernon had the lead, they weren't going to give it up. At 5 on 5 the Vipers deployed their trap and really limited Burnaby's chances giving them trouble coming out of their own zone.
The Express did have a pair of powerplays to attempt to pull even. Brad Reid had another great chance on the first powerplay and was again robbed from the high slot by Gordon. That would turn out to be the Express best chance to tie the game.
Vernon rounded out the scoring in the final minute with the Express on one last powerplay. Mike Collins intercepted a d to d pass at the blueline and sent the puck down the ice to seal the win for Vernon with the empty net goal.
Final score:
Vernon 4 Burnaby 2.
Sure the loss for Burnaby was their third straight on this trip. But the Express can come away from the loss to the Vipers with the knowledge that they can play with the league's elite. Sure it wasn't pretty, but the Express did an excellent job staying to the defensive game plan allowing them to have a chance to win. If it were not for Graeme Gordon robbing Brad Reid twice in the game, the Express would have at least taken the Vipers to overtime.
Burnaby's defensive play kept Vernon to the perimeter of the ice for the most part limiting their quality scoring chances.
Shots:
Burnaby 20
Vernon 34
Powerplays:
Burnaby 0/3
Vernon 1/4
3 stars:
3. Rich Manley - Opened the scoring with a breakaway goal in the 2nd period.
2. Jonathan Milhouse - Scored the game winning goal and added an assist for the Vipers.
1. Mike Collins - 2 goals and 1 assist for the victorious Vipers.
Up next:
The Express head back on the road for another 3 games this coming weekend in Nanaimo, Victoria and Powell River.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
SILVERBACKS HAND EXPRESS FIRST REGULATION LOSS
The first regulation loss of the season for the Express came in the first game of the month of October.
The Express fell 7-2 Friday night in Salmon Arm.
Salmon Arm got Burnaby behind the 8 ball early. With the game less than than 2 minutes old, Matt Ius got into a fight, that was followed at the same time with Dylan Herold getting into a fight with Matt Puddifant.
The 2nd fight resulted in an automatic game misconduct for the Express captain as he was ejected at 1:33. Salmon Arm wounded up getting a 7 minute powerplay out of it, as Herold was also given an instigator penalty.
Salmon Arm took full advantage of the opportunity scoring 3 times on the 7 minute man advantage. Mark Zengerle helped set up Travis Statchuk for the game's opening goal. That would just be the start of the Zengerle show on this night.
Zengerle then added a pair of goals on that powerplay to put the Express in an early 3-0 hole.
For clarification purposes, the reason the why Silverbacks were able to have the full 7 minute man advantage is because the 5 minute major for fighting was the first penalty in effect, and if Salmon Arm scored in the final 2 minutes of the advantage, the powerplay would have continued. So in essence, the Silverbacks were allowed to score as many goals as they could in those 7 minutes.
Once the Herold penalty had been killed off, Burnaby was finally given a chance to get back into the game. And once it got to 5 on 5, the Express did start to take over.
Salmon Arm took their 3 goal lead into the 2nd period, but the Express were pressing to get back into the game.
And despite the early shot advantage for Salmon Arm due to the extended powerplay, Salmon Arm had just a 16-12 advantage in shots due to Burnaby starting to turn the game once they got back to even strength.
Rich Manley used his size and strength to protect the puck and cut in on Silverbacks goaltender Tony Ierfino who turned him aside.
The Express finally got on the board as Luke Challier put a perfect pass on the tape of Matt Ius who blasted home the feed to cut the deficit to 3-1.
By this point, the Express penalty killing had settled down killing off a few more penalties allowing them to continue to attempt the comeback.
In the final minute of the 2nd period, the Express pulled back within one, Chris Van Dyunhoven sent the puck cross ice to Brad Reid at the goal line who put it on the tape of Rich Manley who had a tap in for his 5th of the season.
The goal for Manley extended his point streak to 7 games. Manley has a point in every Express game this season.
The 2nd period favoured Burnaby and that was refelected with 21 shots in the middle frame sent the way of Tony Ierfino.
The most encouraging part of the Express play through 40 minutes was their ability to not get rattled and execute the game plan in an attempt to battle back. It could have been easy to get frustrated with the way things were developing and let the game slip away. But the Express stuck with it and kept their resolve allowing them the opportunity to try and even it up.
Burnaby began the third period on a powerplay, but weren't able to capatilize,
Moments later came the games turning point, Rich Manley hit Jon Puskar with a stretch pass giving him a breakaway. Puskar however was turned aside by Ierfino keeping the Silverbacks up by a goal.
That chance would prove to be Burnaby's best chance to complete the comeback.
Moments later, Corey Chakeen took a cross ice pass and blasted home a one timer past Harrison May to restore the 2 goal Silverback advantage. Chakeen added his 2nd of the period midway through the period and the game was all but decided at this point. Zengerle set up both goals by Chakeen.
Zenegerle picked up his 6th point of the game sending the puck to the goalline to David Kilip who slid one past May to give Salmon Arm a 6-2 lead. It was the 4th powerplay goal of the game for the Silverbacks.
Salmon Arm rounded up the scoring as Devon Gannon hit the empty net with just over 2 minutes left in the third period. It was a shorthanded goal for Gannon as coach Dave Mclellan pulled Harrison May to give the Express a 6 on 4 advantage.
Final score: Silverbacks 7 Express 2.
Shots:
Burnaby - 41
Salmon Arm - 40
3 stars:
3. Travis Statchuk - Scored Salmon Arm's first goal of the game and also added 2 assists.
2. Mark Zengerle - Was an offensive wizard on this night for the Silverbacks with 6 points. 2 goals and 4 assists..
1. Tony Ierfino - Stopped 39 of 41 shots in the Sliverback crease. Saved his best for the third period stopping Jon Puskar on a breakaway to keep Salmon Arm in the lead.
The lopsided score doesn't truly indicate who the better team was in the game. There were times where Burnaby was dominating. Especially after the Herold penalty had expired and up until Puskar was stopped on the breakaway in the third period. The game would have been a much different story for the Express if Puskar scores on his third period breakaway. Ierfino's play on this night was a big reason why the Exprress weren't able to complete the comeback.
The penalty to Herold obviously had a significant impact on the game and the Express as a group. Strategicially, they could truely establish their game and roll all 4 lines with the Express being forced to play come from behind hockey all night.
There are postives that this team can take out of this game, especially how they controlled the play after Herold penalty had expired and up until Puskar's breakaway early in the thrid period.
The road trip continues Saturday night in Trail. The Express have to put Friday's outcome behind them and focus on playing well in Trail. Much like how they put the bad start Friday behind them and worked on getting back into the game.
Burnaby's record now sits at 5-1-0-1 this season. 2 years ago when the Express last visited Salmon Arm the fortunes were reversed. In 07-08, the Express walked into Salmon Arm and handed the Silverbacks their first regulation loss of the season. Salmon Arm gets a little pay back in 09 handing the Express their first regulation loss of this season.
The Express fell 7-2 Friday night in Salmon Arm.
Salmon Arm got Burnaby behind the 8 ball early. With the game less than than 2 minutes old, Matt Ius got into a fight, that was followed at the same time with Dylan Herold getting into a fight with Matt Puddifant.
The 2nd fight resulted in an automatic game misconduct for the Express captain as he was ejected at 1:33. Salmon Arm wounded up getting a 7 minute powerplay out of it, as Herold was also given an instigator penalty.
Salmon Arm took full advantage of the opportunity scoring 3 times on the 7 minute man advantage. Mark Zengerle helped set up Travis Statchuk for the game's opening goal. That would just be the start of the Zengerle show on this night.
Zengerle then added a pair of goals on that powerplay to put the Express in an early 3-0 hole.
For clarification purposes, the reason the why Silverbacks were able to have the full 7 minute man advantage is because the 5 minute major for fighting was the first penalty in effect, and if Salmon Arm scored in the final 2 minutes of the advantage, the powerplay would have continued. So in essence, the Silverbacks were allowed to score as many goals as they could in those 7 minutes.
Once the Herold penalty had been killed off, Burnaby was finally given a chance to get back into the game. And once it got to 5 on 5, the Express did start to take over.
Salmon Arm took their 3 goal lead into the 2nd period, but the Express were pressing to get back into the game.
And despite the early shot advantage for Salmon Arm due to the extended powerplay, Salmon Arm had just a 16-12 advantage in shots due to Burnaby starting to turn the game once they got back to even strength.
Rich Manley used his size and strength to protect the puck and cut in on Silverbacks goaltender Tony Ierfino who turned him aside.
The Express finally got on the board as Luke Challier put a perfect pass on the tape of Matt Ius who blasted home the feed to cut the deficit to 3-1.
By this point, the Express penalty killing had settled down killing off a few more penalties allowing them to continue to attempt the comeback.
In the final minute of the 2nd period, the Express pulled back within one, Chris Van Dyunhoven sent the puck cross ice to Brad Reid at the goal line who put it on the tape of Rich Manley who had a tap in for his 5th of the season.
The goal for Manley extended his point streak to 7 games. Manley has a point in every Express game this season.
The 2nd period favoured Burnaby and that was refelected with 21 shots in the middle frame sent the way of Tony Ierfino.
The most encouraging part of the Express play through 40 minutes was their ability to not get rattled and execute the game plan in an attempt to battle back. It could have been easy to get frustrated with the way things were developing and let the game slip away. But the Express stuck with it and kept their resolve allowing them the opportunity to try and even it up.
Burnaby began the third period on a powerplay, but weren't able to capatilize,
Moments later came the games turning point, Rich Manley hit Jon Puskar with a stretch pass giving him a breakaway. Puskar however was turned aside by Ierfino keeping the Silverbacks up by a goal.
That chance would prove to be Burnaby's best chance to complete the comeback.
Moments later, Corey Chakeen took a cross ice pass and blasted home a one timer past Harrison May to restore the 2 goal Silverback advantage. Chakeen added his 2nd of the period midway through the period and the game was all but decided at this point. Zengerle set up both goals by Chakeen.
Zenegerle picked up his 6th point of the game sending the puck to the goalline to David Kilip who slid one past May to give Salmon Arm a 6-2 lead. It was the 4th powerplay goal of the game for the Silverbacks.
Salmon Arm rounded up the scoring as Devon Gannon hit the empty net with just over 2 minutes left in the third period. It was a shorthanded goal for Gannon as coach Dave Mclellan pulled Harrison May to give the Express a 6 on 4 advantage.
Final score: Silverbacks 7 Express 2.
Shots:
Burnaby - 41
Salmon Arm - 40
3 stars:
3. Travis Statchuk - Scored Salmon Arm's first goal of the game and also added 2 assists.
2. Mark Zengerle - Was an offensive wizard on this night for the Silverbacks with 6 points. 2 goals and 4 assists..
1. Tony Ierfino - Stopped 39 of 41 shots in the Sliverback crease. Saved his best for the third period stopping Jon Puskar on a breakaway to keep Salmon Arm in the lead.
The lopsided score doesn't truly indicate who the better team was in the game. There were times where Burnaby was dominating. Especially after the Herold penalty had expired and up until Puskar was stopped on the breakaway in the third period. The game would have been a much different story for the Express if Puskar scores on his third period breakaway. Ierfino's play on this night was a big reason why the Exprress weren't able to complete the comeback.
The penalty to Herold obviously had a significant impact on the game and the Express as a group. Strategicially, they could truely establish their game and roll all 4 lines with the Express being forced to play come from behind hockey all night.
There are postives that this team can take out of this game, especially how they controlled the play after Herold penalty had expired and up until Puskar's breakaway early in the thrid period.
The road trip continues Saturday night in Trail. The Express have to put Friday's outcome behind them and focus on playing well in Trail. Much like how they put the bad start Friday behind them and worked on getting back into the game.
Burnaby's record now sits at 5-1-0-1 this season. 2 years ago when the Express last visited Salmon Arm the fortunes were reversed. In 07-08, the Express walked into Salmon Arm and handed the Silverbacks their first regulation loss of the season. Salmon Arm gets a little pay back in 09 handing the Express their first regulation loss of this season.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
NY. RANGERS PRESENT TOP 10
Members of the New York Rangers appeared on David Letterman Wednesday night to present the top 10 list. It's pretty entertaining.
Take a look...
Take a look...
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