Last Saturday night, our favorite junior hockey team was embarrassed in Albert Lea by a team coming off a 4 win season. Fast forward to Wednesday afternoon, and the Express struggled to score goals in a 4-2 loss to the expansion Janesville Jets. What is going on?? Has the Express train derailed??
Fastforward 3 more days, and the Express returned from Blaine late last night in 1st place in the Central Division. Chris Westin and Jake Youso scored in the shootout, and Express goalie Mike Shibrowski stopped 4 out of 5 shots as the Express beat the Alaska Avalanche 2-1 to wrap up the 2009 NAHL Showcase.
Historically, the Express have always struggled in the Showcase, and didn't get off to a good start this year with the loss the Jets. However, they then played the 3 time defending Robertson Cup Champion St Louis Bandits even before losing in a shootout. Following that was an overtime victory over the Texas Tornado, who will always be a tough beat with Coach Tony Curtale behind the bench.
Yes, it's early, but it sure is nice to not leave the Showcase looking up from the bottom of the standings.
Observations:
- The #1 line of Porter/Thorson/Youso is going to give opposing coaches fits this season. They carried the Express scoring effort thus far, and should only get better as they get used to playing with each other.
- Stat of the Day: Points scored through the first 5 games by Express players with previous junior hockey experience: 14 goals with 21 assists for a total of 35 points. Points scored through the first 5 games by Express players with no previous junior experience: 1 assist. You would expect the veterans to outperform the rookies at the beginning of the season, but 35 to 1?? But do you want to know the best part?? It doesn't worry me at all, because when the rookies start scoring, this team will be scary good.
- Veteran forward Chris Bournazos missed the Alaska game with a lower body injury. He also was the recipient of a vicious cheap shot at the end of the Janesville game. He is probably quite happy that the Showcase is in the rear-view mirror.
- Much like last season, the special teams units have struggled early in the season. Not to worry though, as the boys in blue will adjust to the Cullen method of hockey, and will be just fine.
Next up for the Express is a return trip this Saturday to Albert Lea for a rematch with the Thunder. Something tells me the result will be different this time around.
It was a pleasure getting to meet some of you guys in Blaine, and I look forward to a great season of Express hockey.
See you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
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4 comments:
BK,
Why on the first goal by OE in Alaska game do we only show three people on the ice for our PP goal? I know we had five guys. Doesn't this screw up the +-? Porter and Sloat were on the ice for the first goal too! Can that be corrected?
Seems like pointstreak stats sometimes are crazy. Like 7 skaters on ice, or 3, or wrong players.
Pointstreak is a great system. Unfortunately, it's only as good as the people entering the data. The home team's off-ice official crew is in charge of Pointstreak, and not everybody does it the same or understands the system.
It does screw up the stats. I know changes can be made, but I doubt they worry about at this point.
+/-, shots, and penalty stats should be taken with a grain of salt for all Express games not played in Owatonna.
The NAHL routinely lauds the Express's off-ice official crew for being one of the best in the league. I just wish everybody else did it right.
--BK
PP goals do not count for a player's plus/minus rating... neither do penalty shots. Shorties, open netters, and even strength goals only. An interesting side note.. if your team gets a shorty while you're in the box, you get a +1.
mnrookie21 - You are absolutely correct, but if you look at the gamesheet, there are only three Express numbers listed as on the ice for the 1st Express goal. This was an even strength goal, and two more Express players were obviously on the ice and weren't credited with a +1.
--BK
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