The great American born poet/songwriter Meatloaf said it best: 2 out of 3 ain't bad.
The Express finished up their 3 game weekend run with a 6-2 victory over the Albert Lea Thunder Sunday night. That win coupled with Saturday's overtime win over North Iowa, and Friday's shootout loss to Bismarck, gives the Express 5 out of possible 6 points for the weekend. Our favorite junior hockey team still sits in 4th place in the division, but closed the gap on the 3 teams in front of them. The Express are 2 points behind Bismarck, 3 points behind North Iowa, and only 8 points behind 1st place Alexandria.
Sunday night's game with Albert Lea pretty much followed the script I expected. The Express controlled the flow of the game, capitalized on a few scoring chances and took the lead. Just as predictable was Albert Lea's response to being down several goals, they got chippy. Hats off to defenseman Nick Carson for standing up for your goalie after he was slashed. Hats off to Jason Horstman for not getting goaded into a pointless goalie fight late in the game. Hats off to Cory Thorson for not dropping the gloves when one of the Thunder's goons dropped his, which resulted in a 7 minute Express powerplay.
Memo to the Thunder players: Maybe you should worry more about your 1-14 record than talking crap to the Express when coming off the ice after warm-ups. Do you ever think that your division leading 443 penalty minutes might have something to do with your inability to win games??
Memo to the Thunder fans: The reason the Express players didn't drop their gloves and fight your goons, is because they are disciplined and well coached. Why would the Express risk breaking a finger punching your guy in the head, in a game they are leading 6-2?? There is a time and a place for fighting in the NAHL, and that wasn't it.
Next up for the Express is two more games against the Thunder this coming Friday and Saturday, both in Owatonna. See you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
**** Update: You can see a couple of video highlights of the game, including the beautiful McDonald pass to Thorson for an Express goal by clicking here: http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/S654081.shtml?cat=10151
--BK
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4 comments:
Express evidently played well this weekend. Saw Sunday night, and they are definately improving in a number of areas. Good movement through the neutral zone - was sloppy earlier in season. Break outs and passing quicker. On PP, puck control and spacing helping make it more potent - you can see by the success they are starting to have. Putting the goal on net also helps create opportunities.
Some of the team starting to really click, and consistently. Like the play of Carew, Thorson, Bournazos, Sloat, and Beaudette. Other are also improving, and I think we are quickly approaching a team to be reckoned with.
Next weekend, expect AL to be hungrier than ever - and possibly just as hasty as they were tonight. I wouldnt be surpised if they get chippy sooner than later to try to get Express off their game.
"Next weekend, expect AL to be hungrier than ever - and possibly just as hasty as they were tonight. I wouldnt be surpised if they get chippy sooner than later to try to get Express off their game."
- Good point. I was a little harsh in my post towards the Thunder, but I do realize that is probably a strategic move on their part. They need to take the Express out of their game because they know that can't compete with the Express when it comes to speed and talent.
--BK
Anyone besides me think that there are too many back to back games against AL?
I look forward to play Bizzy and Alexandria.
Great game recap from last night's action. We all would like to see the Thunder have success in Albert Lea but when they act like goons and trip goalies and players, then they don't deserve the wins.
When they start to play chippy, the refs need to start noticing that and take control of the game quicker. Otherwise, they will just keep doing cheap shots to our team and other teams. Just a thought.
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