Game #1 - Postgame Report

See the boxscore here: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=763802

Read game recap from Phantom point of view here: http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3718919


Tough loss for the Express today. They were down 2-0, and rattled off 4 straight goals to take the lead, but couldn't hold off the Phantoms as they scored 3 unanswered goals to catch and pass the Express. Final score was 5-4 in the Phantoms favor.

Things did not start off well for the Express as they gave up a bad goal to the Phantoms less than 3 minutes into the first period. Express goalie Adam Buegler made the initial save, but the Express defenseman whiffed on the puck trying to clear it out of the crease, and Erik Higby of the Phantoms knocked it in for the first goal. The Phantoms spent most of the first 10 minutes of the game in the Express defensive zone, and scored their second goal at 9:03 of the 1st period. At that point something clicked with the Express, and the offense started creating chances. Rookie forward Josh Daley created a couple of nice scoring chances in short order, and Tony McDonald knocked home one of his passes for the first Express goal of the season. Just over a minute later Express forward Cory Thorson tied the game at two with his first NAHL goal. The rest of the first period was some good back and forth hockey with several chances for both teams.

The 2nd period started where the 1st left off. The Express took the lead on a beautiful play by one of the newest Express players, Michael Palmiscno. Palmiscno was driving to the net, when John Kruse found him with a great pass that Palmiscno deflected past the Phantom goaltender. A couple of minutes later the Express expanded their lead on a powerplay goal by Stephen Carew. However, from there it was all downhill for the Express. The Phantoms seemed to shift into a different gear, and the Express just couldn't match the faster tempo. The Phantoms scored the eventual game-winner early in the 3rd period. The Express fought hard, but just couldn't generate anything offensively. 3 Express penalties in the last 10 minutes hampered efforts to tie the game, and the Express lost a winnable game against a good opponent.

Observations from Wednesday:

- Forward lines: Beaudette/Carew/McDonald, Niestrom/Thorson/Bournazos, Kruse/Palmiscno/Vierling, Daley/Porter/Erickson

- Defensive pairings: Fiala/Puente, Tolkinen/Smith, Carson/Orange

- Scratches: Percy, Randall, New Guy #1(Fahnhorst), New Guy #2(????)

- The Express took some dumb penalties, and twice found themselves on the wrong end of a 5 on 3 situation. On a positive note, they killed off both of the 5 on 3 situations without a giving up a goal. They did allow 1 powerplay goal in 8 chances today, but I think they have played really well on the penalty kill so far this year.

- Express defenseman Tim Smith took one of the hardest hits I have ever seen early in the game. He was absolutely leveled by a forechecking Phantom player, but to his credit, he shook it off and played a good game today. He made some nice defensive plays late in the game to keep the Express within 1 goal.

- Kruse and Orange were dressed and played normal shifts today after sitting out Saturday's exhibition game against Fairbanks with injuries.

- In my pregame post this morning, I listed off some things I wanted to see from the Express today. #1 was take a step in the right direction today....verdict: Definitive yes. #2 was to work through the first game jitters quick, and settle into the speed of the game...verdict: needs improvement. They adjusted mid way through the 1st period, but then lost it midway through the 2nd. #3 was no stupid penalties....verdict: some were bad, some were questionable calls, but they still ended up in the sin-bin. #4 was more cohesiveness with the line combinations....verdict: achieved. They looked much better in that respect today.


Even though this was a loss for the Express, I think you have to chalk it up as the old cliched "moral victory". The Express proved today that they will be able to compete on a nightly basis in the NAHL. For a 20 minute stretch, the Express showed that this is a team that will be able to score some goals. The rookies scored some goals today, and as a group are making an impact. I know I have said this before, but this is going to be a very fun and exciting team to watch.

--BK