WJAC TICKETS GOING FAST

The World Junior A Challenge which starts next week in Langley is a hot ticket.

Make sure you're there to see some great hockey.

Single-game tickets are now on sale for the 2011 World Junior A Challenge – see all 13 WJAC games, plus both CJHL Prospects Games. Just click the link below or call Ticketmaster at 1-855-985-5000 and be there in person as six teams go for gold. Fifteen games featuring hockey’s future stars in your own backyard – don’t miss it!

For tickets click here

http://www.ticketmaster.ca/WJAC Tickets

Tickets can also be purchased at the Langley Events Centre.

GRIZZLIES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Victoria's 5-2 win over the Express Saturday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

GRIZZ GUNS WAKE UP IN 3RD EN ROUTE TO WIN OVER EXPRESS

The Victoria Grizzlies bounced back from a set back the night before and knocked off the Express 5-2 Saturday night.

An even scoreless first period saw Victoria edge the Express 15-14.

The first goal of the night came in the opening minutes of the second period when Coltyn Hansen fired a slap shot that powered past the glove of Khaleed Devji and in.

Jason Bird scored his first Express goal to tie the game at one when Mitch Nardi won a draw back to Bird who fired a slap shot that beat Jamie Tucker.

The Express got a 5 minute major powerplay when Charles Lillies hit Evan Campbell hard in the neutral zone and Lillies was assessed a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for boarding. More importantly for the Express, Campbell was ok from the hit.

Brady Shaw gave the Express their first lead on that powerplay when he cut in from the left wing and slid the puck past Tucker. The goal was the second in as many games for the power forward. It was also his 4th powerplay goal this season.

Alex Holland scored the goal of the night to even the score as he come out from behind the Express net and fired a perfect shot top corner over the right shoulder of Devji.

Entering this game the Express knew they had to try and shut down Victoria's top guns which included BCHL top scorer Wade Murphy, Jarryd Ten Vaanholt and Mike Moran. Well they did exactly that through the first two periods. But they woke up in the third as Mike Moran gave Victoria a 3-2 lead early in the period. Then two and a half minutes later Ten Vaanholt gave Victoria some insurance with a powerplay goal.

With those two goals, Victoria's top line on this night went from 0 points in the first two periods. Then they all of a sudden had combined for four points.

Kevin Woodyatt rounded out the scoring beating Devji with a wrist shot from the point.

Victoria had a strong final 40 minutes on this night outshooting the Express 33-15. And they finished with 48 shots compared to 29 for the Express.

The Express penalty killers had another solid night killing off 5 of 6 shorthanded situations.

Coquitlam is next in action Wednesday night in Cowichan Valley.

EAGLES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Here's the highlights of Surrey's 4-3 OT win over the Express Friday night.



Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.

CALVANO TALKS TRADES

The Express were busy this week with trades involving Dana Tennenbaum, Matt Hutchinson and Ben Murphy being traded away, and bringing in Connor Redmond and Bruin McDonald.

Prior to Friday's game with Surrey, Head Coach Jon Calvano provided some great insight about how the Express roster has evolved dating back to training camp and how helped get the Express to the position where they made the moves they did this week.

Click here to listen to Head Coach Jon Calvano.

MORLEY'S HAT-TRICK CARRIES EAGLES TO OT WIN

Surrey Eagles captain Tyler Morley's hat-trick shouldered the offensive load for the Eagles as they edged the Express 4-3 in overtime Friday.

It was the first home game for the Express in two weeks after playing their last three games on the road.

Surrey like the Express returned to the mainland this week after a trip to the interior.

Surrey got off to a quick start by jumping out to a 10-1 advantage in shots in the opening 10 minutes. The visitors were rewarded by opening the scoring when Devon Toews finished off a 4 on 2 rush by banging home a rebound off a one timer from the slot.

The lead didn't last as the Express pulled even on a rebound goal of their own from a defenceman as Clinton Atkinson scored on a tough angle on Andrew Hunt.

The Express got their only lead of the night three minutes later as Zack Holstrom poked a loose puck in the crease home. Holstrom who also assisted on the Atkinson goal continues his impressive play as he now has 4 goals and 2 assists during his 7 games with the Express as an AP.

The second half of the period was better for the Express and they were able to close the gap in the shots on goal by the time the period ended with Surrey holding just a 14-13 advantage after the opening 20 minutes.

Tyler Morley began to make his presence felt to open the second period. The Eagles captain had a good chance that was turned aside by Khaleed Devji in the opening seconds. Morley made his second good chance of the opening minute of the period count as he snapped a shot home while being hauled down.

The 2-2 tie lasted into the third period until Morley struck again by showing
some smooth hands and deking past Devji to finish off an odd man rush.

Brady Shaw pulled the Express even while on the powerplay by doing what he does best, and thats score from close range. He deftly re-directed a Clinton Atkinson point shot midway through the third. On the goal, Brady Shaw, Clinton Atkinson and Mitch Nardi chipped in with their second points of the game.

The game remained tied into overtime. In the final minute of the first overtime Bruin McDonald was called for tripping, and it only took the Eagles 8 seconds to make the Express pay, Surrey won the draw and Steve Koshey dished the puck to Tyler Morley at the right circle and he wired a perfect wrist shot over Khaleed Devji's glove for Morley's hat-trick goal. And most importantly give the Eagles the win.

The game saw newcomers Bruin McDonald and Connor Redmond make their Express debut. Plus, Mitchell Deacon played his first game of the season after suffering a shoulder injury in training camp. This was also the final game that Captain Alex Petan and Alex Kerfoot will play with the Express for a while as they now head to Team Canada West selection camp for the upcoming World Junior A challenge.

Victoria comes to Coquitlam for a visit on Saturday night.

MURPHY TO CANADIANS

The Express have made another trade, sending 20 year old forward Ben Murphy to the Carleton Place Canadians of the CCHL for future considerations.

More to come later on. A little busy at work right now.