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