Express Special Teams Play

After going 0 for 9 on the powerplay and giving up a short-handed goal Friday night in Albert Lea, I did some research today with the intention of showing how special teams play has cost the Express some victories this season. However, as I found out, the numbers don't necessarily back that up.

Going into tonight's game in Owatonna against the Thunder, the Express powerplay is second to last in the NAHL at 7.46% (5 goals in 67 chances). By comparison, the league average is 14.73%. Even worse, in the 8 games since the Showcase ended, the Express have only scored 1 powerplay goal in 42 chances. However, the Express have a record of 4-4 in those 8 games. In the 4 wins the Express were 0-23 on the powerplay, and in the 4 losses the Express were 1-19. The 4 losses were all by two or more goals, and 3 of the 4 wins were by only 1 goal. So can you definitively say that the lack of powerplay goals is costing the Express?? I would say not necessarily, but obviously, we would all like to see a marked improvement on the powerplay. Another thing that worries me is that the Express have given up 3 shorthanded goals this season. So that must have cost the Express some games, right?? Actually no, the Express have won all three games in which they gave up a shortie.

On the other side of the red line is the Express penalty kill which is currently the 4th best in the NAHL at 88.06%. The PK has been really good this year, and if there was a statistic for killing 5 on 3 man advantages, the Express would lead the league. A strong PK is a trademark of a smart, disciplined team which is what we expect with Pat Cullen at the helm. The Express are by far the least penalized team in the league, and when you kill off close to 90% of the penalties you do take, good things will happen.

Bottom line: The powerplay won't stay at 7% all year. Cullen and the guys will get it figured out, it'll start to produce, and start winning them some games. The Express seem to understand the PK system, so I think that will stay about where it's at.

Big Kahuna's Prediction for tonight: (7-0 last night/82-39 on the season)

Express 5 - Thunder 3

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

See you at the rink.

--BK