From the you had to see it to believe it department, I bring you Saturday night's shootout victory over the Outlaws.
For the fourth straight game, the Express lead the game, and for the fourth straight game, the Express blew that lead, giving up the equalizer with just over a minute left in regulation. After a scoreless overtime period, the Express were trailing the Outlaws by one goal entering the fifth and final round of the shootout. In a must score situation, Express captain Cory Thorson picked up the puck at center ice and skated towards Outlaw goalie Paul Moberg. As Moberg skated out of the goal to cut down the angle, he tripped and fell to the ice. As he struggled to get back to his feet, Thorson quickly accelerated around the left side and deposited the puck in the empty net to tie the score. The Outlaws still had a chance to clinch the victory, but Express goalie Mike Shibrowski stoned Markus Gander to force a sixth round. Chris Darnell immediately scored to put the Express ahead, and Shibrowski stopped Cory Belisle to give the Express the win and the all important 2nd point.
What can you say but "wow"? It looked like our favorite junior hockey team was going to lose their second straight game, but the hockey gods intervened. A win is a win, but the boys in blue need to start holding onto a lead when they have one.
Next up for the Central Division leading Express is a Friday night rematch with the Outlaws. It will be a special night at the rink as the Express "Join the Fight" against breast cancer. The Express will be wearing pink jerseys that will be auctioned off immediately following the game. Don't miss out on your chance to buy a piece of Express history.
--BK
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Express vs Alexandria - 10/17/2009
We did a live chat during the game tonight, and will probably do it again in the future. Check back the next time the Express are on the road.
Gutty performance by the Express tonight to recover from a late Blizzard goal in regulation, and win the game in the shootout. Dan Cecka and Schyler Adams scored for the Express in the shootout, and Mike Shibrowski stopped 4 out of 5 Blizzard attempts, and our favorite junior hockey team picks up 2 important points in the standings.
One more game to go Sunday night against the Bobcats. Can the Express make it a 6 point weekend??
See you at the rink.
--BK
Gutty performance by the Express tonight to recover from a late Blizzard goal in regulation, and win the game in the shootout. Dan Cecka and Schyler Adams scored for the Express in the shootout, and Mike Shibrowski stopped 4 out of 5 Blizzard attempts, and our favorite junior hockey team picks up 2 important points in the standings.
One more game to go Sunday night against the Bobcats. Can the Express make it a 6 point weekend??
See you at the rink.
--BK
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Big Kahuna's NAHL Power Rankings - 10/13/2009
Now that we're a ways into the season, I figured it was time to take a stab at some NAHL power rankings.
1. Wenatchee Wild
2. St Louis Bandits
3. Topeka Roadrunners
4. Marquette Rangers
5. Owatonna Express
6. Traverse City North Stars
7. Alaska Avalanche
8. Texas Tornado
9. Springfield Jr Blues
10. Alexandria Blizzard
11. Fairbanks Ice Dogs
12. North Iowa Outlaws
13. Motor City Metal Jackets
14. Bismarck Bobcats
15. Wichita Falls Wildcats
16. Janesville Jets
17. Alpena Ice Diggers
18. Kenai River Brown Bears
19. Albert Lea Thunder
Do you agree?? Do you disagree?? Do you think I'm an idiot?? Do you think I have too much time on my hands?? Let me know in the comments section at the bottom of this post.
See you at the rink.
--BK
1. Wenatchee Wild
2. St Louis Bandits
3. Topeka Roadrunners
4. Marquette Rangers
5. Owatonna Express
6. Traverse City North Stars
7. Alaska Avalanche
8. Texas Tornado
9. Springfield Jr Blues
10. Alexandria Blizzard
11. Fairbanks Ice Dogs
12. North Iowa Outlaws
13. Motor City Metal Jackets
14. Bismarck Bobcats
15. Wichita Falls Wildcats
16. Janesville Jets
17. Alpena Ice Diggers
18. Kenai River Brown Bears
19. Albert Lea Thunder
Do you agree?? Do you disagree?? Do you think I'm an idiot?? Do you think I have too much time on my hands?? Let me know in the comments section at the bottom of this post.
See you at the rink.
--BK
Monday, October 5, 2009
Dan Cecka = POTW & Darnell Update
- Express forward Dan Cecka was named the Central Division Player of the Week. Check out the article on the official Express website or at NAHL.com.
- On the Express Coaches Show tonight, Cullen said the leg injury to forward Chris Darnell was an ankle and knee sprain. He didn't have a timeline for his return, but nothing was broken. This is good news considering how bad it initially looked when he went off the ice last Saturday evening.
--BK
- On the Express Coaches Show tonight, Cullen said the leg injury to forward Chris Darnell was an ankle and knee sprain. He didn't have a timeline for his return, but nothing was broken. This is good news considering how bad it initially looked when he went off the ice last Saturday evening.
--BK
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Express Dominate Outlaws 5-1
Big win for the Express Saturday night in Mason City. Cory Thorson and Dan Cecka each scored a pair of goals, and Brian McGinty added one, as the Express extended their winning streak to 4 games.
- Not everything went well for the Express Saturday night. Veteran forward Chris Darnell went off the ice in a great deal of pain after sustaining some sort of leg injury. Nick Widing appeared to take a stick to the face, and fellow rookie Blake Schammel was noticeably limping off the ice at the end of the game. Widing returned to the game, but the extent of Darnell and Schammel's injuries are unknown at this point.
- Chris Bournazos missed another game with his knee injury, but looks to be getting better every day. He returned to practice this week, and I would guess might be ready to go for the home opener this weekend.
- Here's the game recap from the Mason City Globe Gazette:
http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2009/10/04/sports/local/doc4ac82d1d6d349134904342.txt#vmix_media_id=6499483
Outlaw coach Garrett Strot had some interesting and complementary things to say about the Express.
- There is a feature article on NAHL.com about Express forward and University of Minnesota recruit Jake Youso. It's a great read, and includes this little gem:
It comes as little surprise that the Golden Gophers coaching staff endorsed Youso’s move to Owatonna and the NAHL. After all, it’s the same place where senior defenseman Brian Schack and former defenseman Stu Bickel, who is now in the Anaheim Ducks organization, polished their skills before becoming mainstays in Minnesota’s lineup.
That statement should be shared with every junior hockey eligible player in the USA. It really says a lot about the strength of the Express program and Coach Cullen, and bodes well for the future of the franchise. Read the article here: http://www.nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=1114 .
- This week's "The Other Side of the Tracks with Big Kahuna" should be up Monday on the official Express website.
Next up for the Express is the home opener this Saturday night at the 4 Seasons Centre against the Alexandria Blizzard. Game time is 6:00pm, and following the game is the post game party at the Beer Garden. Make plans now to watch our 1st place team hit the ice in Owatonna for the first time this year.
See you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
- Not everything went well for the Express Saturday night. Veteran forward Chris Darnell went off the ice in a great deal of pain after sustaining some sort of leg injury. Nick Widing appeared to take a stick to the face, and fellow rookie Blake Schammel was noticeably limping off the ice at the end of the game. Widing returned to the game, but the extent of Darnell and Schammel's injuries are unknown at this point.
- Chris Bournazos missed another game with his knee injury, but looks to be getting better every day. He returned to practice this week, and I would guess might be ready to go for the home opener this weekend.
- Here's the game recap from the Mason City Globe Gazette:
http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2009/10/04/sports/local/doc4ac82d1d6d349134904342.txt#vmix_media_id=6499483
Outlaw coach Garrett Strot had some interesting and complementary things to say about the Express.
- There is a feature article on NAHL.com about Express forward and University of Minnesota recruit Jake Youso. It's a great read, and includes this little gem:
It comes as little surprise that the Golden Gophers coaching staff endorsed Youso’s move to Owatonna and the NAHL. After all, it’s the same place where senior defenseman Brian Schack and former defenseman Stu Bickel, who is now in the Anaheim Ducks organization, polished their skills before becoming mainstays in Minnesota’s lineup.
That statement should be shared with every junior hockey eligible player in the USA. It really says a lot about the strength of the Express program and Coach Cullen, and bodes well for the future of the franchise. Read the article here: http://www.nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=1114 .
- This week's "The Other Side of the Tracks with Big Kahuna" should be up Monday on the official Express website.
Next up for the Express is the home opener this Saturday night at the 4 Seasons Centre against the Alexandria Blizzard. Game time is 6:00pm, and following the game is the post game party at the Beer Garden. Make plans now to watch our 1st place team hit the ice in Owatonna for the first time this year.
See you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
Friday, October 2, 2009
The Worst Kept Secret in the History of the Express
For the few people who haven't already heard this through the grapevine, forward Dan Cecka is back with the Express. Once again, the chants of Cecka, Cecka, Cecka, will ring out through the 4 Seasons Centre. Cecka came to the Express around half way through last season. He averaged over a point per game with the Express, scoring 15 goals and 15 assists in 26 games. The line of Stephen Carew, John Kruse, and Cecka were an offensive force for our favorite junior hockey team. Cecka started this season with the Omaha Lancers in the USHL.
Another new addition to the Express announced today, was the addition of defenseman Joe Schmitz from the Sioux City Musketeers. Schmitz is 6'2"/200lbs, a 1991 birth year, and is from Lino Lakes, Minnesota. He is recovering from a shoulder injury, and I'm not sure of his playing status at this juncture.
Of course with the addition of new players, there is the unfortunate subtraction of existing players. To make room on the roster, the Express released defenseman John Kirby. Good luck chasing the dream somewhere else, John.
See you at the rink.
--BK
Another new addition to the Express announced today, was the addition of defenseman Joe Schmitz from the Sioux City Musketeers. Schmitz is 6'2"/200lbs, a 1991 birth year, and is from Lino Lakes, Minnesota. He is recovering from a shoulder injury, and I'm not sure of his playing status at this juncture.
Of course with the addition of new players, there is the unfortunate subtraction of existing players. To make room on the roster, the Express released defenseman John Kirby. Good luck chasing the dream somewhere else, John.
See you at the rink.
--BK
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