For a complete wrap-up of Friday's 3-2 victory over the Thunder read the OPP article here: http://owatonna.com/news.php?viewStory=31038 or see the boxscore here: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=763952 .
My take: Very simply, I think the Express stole one Friday night. The Express flipped on the proverbial switch for the last 5 minutes of the 2nd period, scoring 3 pretty goals, and then held on through the 3rd period for the victory. It doesn't matter how they did it though, a win is a win. Chris Darnell finally got the scoring monkey off his back when he sniped Thunder goalie Tom Lescovich for a beautiful short-handed goal. The Carew/Lugin/Vierling line tied the game a minute later, before defenseman Nick Carson jumped out of the penalty box after serving a tripping minor, took a pass from Darnell, and skated in all alone on Lescovich for the game-winner. .....and the crowd goes wild!!!
The Express victory coupled with losses by North Iowa and Alexandria tightened the race in the Central Division. Our favorite junior hockey team is still in 4th place, but now trails 3rd place North Iowa by only 1 point, 2nd place Bismarck by only 2 points (with 2 games in hand), and 1st place Alexandria by only 7 points (with 1 game in hand). If things go right tonight, you could see the Express in 2nd place in the standings going into next Friday's game at Alexandria.
Around the league from Friday night:
- Former Express forward Jordan Singer scored in the 7th round of the shootout to give the Bobcats a 4-3 win over the Blizzard. The 1st place Blizzard have lost all 3 games against the Bobcats this season. These teams square off again tonight in Alexandria.
- The Mahoning Valley Phantoms scored a short-handed goal with 46 seconds left in overtime to hand the St Louis Bandits a second straight loss.
- The Springfield Jr Blues did the Express a favor by knocking off the North Iowa Outlaws 2-1. Hopefully the Jr Blues can do the same tonight.
Saturday Preview:
Saturday night in the NAHL features the same 7 matchups as Friday night, and I would expect another great night of hockey.
Big Kahuna's Predictions: (I'm 99-54 on the season)
Express 5 - Thunder 2 - The Express make it 6 for 6 against the Thunder this season.
St Louis over Mahoning Valley
Traverse City over Marquette
North Iowa over Springfield
Alexandria over Bismarck
Topeka over Wichita Falls
Fairbanks over Wenatchee
See you at the rink.
--BK
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4 comments:
Why cant the team play against some other teams like Shattuck once and a while? Or our own high school?I would pay money to watch those games. I dont feel the need to pay money for tickets for games aginst the Thunder every week.
Reply to bigbob:
1. You missed out on a fun time tonight.
2. The league makes the schedule.
3. A game against our high school?? Are you serious??
--BK
BK
Missed the game last night because of a family wedding. Obviously a big win. What was the difference from Friday to Saturday? Team looked awfully flat on Friday. Thanks for your feedback, it is appreciated.
Pappy
Pappy -
Just my opinion, but I think the Express are better conditioned than the Thunder. Also, the Thunder seem to be rolling their top 2 lines a lot more, whereas the Express are playing 3 and 4 lines most of the game. That caught up to them Saturday night, and the Express took advantage.
--BK
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