The Express did what they needed to do this weekend, with 2 big wins over the team chasing them for the final playoff spot in the Central Division. Friday night, the Express squeaked out a gutsy 4-3 win, getting the game winning goal with 6 seconds left. Saturday night, the Express powerplay came alive, accounting for all 3 goals in a 3-1 victory in Owatonna. The Express have creeped to within 1 win of a .500 record, and have their first winning streak of the season. In addition, Friday night's victory in Albert Lea was their 3rd straight win on the road.
Things are starting to click for our favorite junior hockey team. After a slow start to the year, where the guys were getting outplayed for vast stretches of the game, they have now strung together a fairly impressive 6 game stretch. Starting with the shootout win at North Iowa, the Express have gone 4-2, and are playing their best hockey. Sure there was a letdown early in the 3rd period Friday night, and a couple of other small stretches were they didn't play particularly well, but overall, the guys are making it happen on the ice.......and it's only going to get better.
Next up for the Express is a mini tour of the division this weekend where they will play 3 games in 3 nights against 3 different opponents. Friday night, Bismarck makes their 3rd appearance in Owatonna this season. The Express currently trail the 3rd place Bobcats by 3 points in the standings with 3 games in hand. The previous 2 games (2-0 loss & 1-0 win) with Bismarck were defensive battles with outstanding goaltending on both sides. Saturday night, the guys head back to Mason City for another game with North Iowa. The Express are 1-2 so far this season against the Outlaws, and it should be another great game between these traditional rivals. Sunday afternoon, the show shifts back to Owatonna for another game with the Albert Lea Thunder, where the Express will be looking for their 4th straight victory in the series.
So, mission accomplished this weekend against Albert Lea, with another important 3 game mission on the docket for next weekend. The Express train is picking up speed, so get off the tracks or get run over!!
See you at the rink.
--BK
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2 comments:
I attended both games this weekend and Saturday night was a big improvement from Friday. The boys played ALL 60 minutes. It was very nice to see us get 3 powerplay goals after going 0-9 on Friday night. One comment on the offensive side of our team. It would have been nice to see a few more goals with 44 shots on net. On our defensive side we have been doing much better the last 6 games. Granted there is still a few brain farts here and there, but in the last six games our goals against average is 2.0. Saturday night the defense did a super job allowing only 15 shots on net.
Hopefully we can keep the train rolling and grab six points this weekend. It would be great next week at this time to be in third place in the Central Division.
I was just looking over some stats from the last 6 games. Here are some of the ones that stick out. Carew has 4 goals. Smith has 1 goal, 4 assists. Beaudette also has a 1 goal, 4 assists. Thorson has 2 goals, 1 assist. Buegler until Friday nights team collapse in the 3rd period has played shutout hockey for 6 periods, 1 overtime session and a shootout. With that stat you can also throw the whole defensive play of the team and give them credit as well. Hopefully we continue to build on this and have an even better next six games.
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