Weekend Preview and Predictions

First of all, the Express are front page news on the NAHL website today. It's a nice little article that you can read here: http://www.nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=658

The Express play a home and home series with the Albert Lea Thunder starting tonight in Albert Lea, and finishing Saturday night in Owatonna. Being that it's Halloween weekend, I will boil my preview down to one simple phrase: "Trick or treat". The "trick" is that the Express need to go out and play their game and not get drawn into a penalty filled/cheap shot laden games. If that happens, then Cullen and company will "treat" Express fans to a pair of victories. The Express have the advantage in the speed department, which hopefully translates into more offense this weekend against a very young and inexperienced Thunder team.

- This is the second game this season with the Thunder. The Express won 5-2 on September 27th in what was the home opener for the Thunder.

- Brady Sand who was the Thunder's #1 goalie early in the season, before quitting, is now playing with the Rochester Ice Hawks. Technically the Thunder traded him to Rochester for "future considerations".

- Trivia Question: The Thunder won their first game of the season last weekend with a victory over the Bismarck Bobcats in their 11th game of the season. How long did it take for the Express to get their first victory in their inaugural season in the NAHL (2005-06)?? I will post the answer at the end of this post.

Big Kahuna's Prediction: Express 5 - Thunder 1

The Express have been solid in goal, and solid on defense since the showcase, but the offense hasn't pulled its weight. I think that changes tonight, and the offense gets on track. The guys have an opportunity to get some steam going this weekend and it starts tonight.

Predictions for the other NAHL games tonight: (I'm 75-39 on the season)

USNTDP over Motor City
Traverse City over Mahoning Valley
Alexandria over Marquette
Topeka over Springfield
Alaska over Kenai River
Wichita Falls over Fairbanks


Trivia Question answer: The Express won their first game as a franchise in their first game as a franchise, 2-1 over the Springfield Jr Blues. Jamie Ruff and Mike Montgomery scored for the Express, and Andrew Ross has 23 saves in goal.

See you at the rink.

--Big Kahuna