The title of this thread was a quote from the North Iowa Outlaws radio announcer tonight in his pre-game show, before the Express went out and beat the Outlaws 3-2 in a game that was decided in a shootout. Admittedly, I took his quote out of context, but I figured that title would get your attention. The point he was making when he said it was that the Outlaws need to go out and win these early season matchups when the Express are not playing very well, because history shows that Cullen coached teams play better as the season progresses. The statistic he used was that the Express won 70% of their games after Christmas in Cullen's first two years. The Outlaws radio guy was actually quite complementary of Coach Cullen, and does a fairly good job of calling the game, although he's no Roy Koenig.
In hindsight, I wish I had ponied up the $7 to get the B2 video as it sounded like an entertaining game. The Express jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Dane Erickson and Cory Thorson, and things looked good for the Express. However, the Outlaws got a short-handed goal followed by a Brandon Brodhag goal a few minutes later to tie the game. A scoreless third period and overtime sent the game to a shootout. Michael Palmiscno and Chris Bournazos scored shootout goals for the Express, and goalie Adam Buegler didn't allow a goal by the Outlaws, and the Express pull out of Mason City with a nice victory and an important 2 points in the standings.
Next up for the Express is a home game Saturday night at the 4 Seasons Centre. The Express will get their first look at the Bismarck Bobcats. As nice as a win tonight was, it doesn't mean much if you don't follow that up with a strong performance on your home ice tomorrow. Bring your noise makers, and don't forget the first 500 fans get a free Express schedule magnet.
See you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
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7 comments:
Who determines the 3 stars of the game? They are all 3 NIO Players. At the very least we should have one player if not 2. Did we not win? When Alex beat us last weekend they had players recieve stars of the game. Maybe the personnel that are in charge of awarding it were drunk like the rest of the Iowa fans. Or maybe the guy in charge of it was to busy hitting on his sister to watch the game.
The team will get better. No doubt about it. Cullen's teams have to work hard in practice and show improvement or its bye-bye for an uderperforming player. As BK said, this isnt a squirt league where things are guaranteed.
I suspect the roster moves over the last two weeks are just what he wanted.
Lugin showed some offensive threat last week, and will help solidify our lines.
Sloat was a different person last night vs last week, he was suffocating the Outlaws on every attempt in our zone. Sloat's a great addition to shore up our defense. I read his midget-minor stats said he had a 70 point season as a Defensemen - maybe he can be our defensive point threat for the Express.
I expect Sargis to also contribute as he gets used to the the Coach's style. He's got a lot of skill as he showed during the tryouts.
Horstman will make our Goalie position stronger, and in a 57 game seaosn plus playoffs, you need more than 1 strong Goalie.
Our other guys are starting to play better, and the other teams in our division should watch out as the lines start clicking more. I'm sure you'll see more offense from our team, and we will move up the standings.
See you 2nite at the Four Seasons!
Game was VERY exciting. Team played all out for all but 5 minutes of the second period. Buegler made some unbelievable saves. Anonymous was right about the fans. Probably some of the most obnoxious I have ever seen or heard. You have to drink alot of 3.2 beer to get as annoying as they were. In the end, though, the results were all that mattered.
Pappy
We are moving up in points.We are above AL.
I do not want the team to be on the bottom.
BK, game predictions for tonight?
ps, should pack a crowd with the free magnet promotion.
for the 3 stars of the game question its called the North Iowa 3 stars so only Outlaw players can be named. Also Adam Buegler played great.
"BK, game predictions for tonight?"
- I just posted them.
--BK
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