The Express scored 3 goals in the 2nd Period, and Cole Huggins made 44 saves as the Express picked up a 3-2 win Wednesday night in Chilliwack.
Huggins needed to start strong as Chilliwack jumped on the Express early in the 1st Period. The 20 year old veteran came up with a number of big stops in the opening minutes of the game.
Chilliwack broke through when Trevor Hills was forced behind the Express goal before throwing it back in front of the net where Spencer Graboski poked it past Huggins. It was the only puck to find the back of the net on route to him turning aside 15 of 16 shots in the opening frame.
Brandon Morley got the Express on the board 5 minutes into the 2nd with a shorthanded marker. Morley created a breakaway opportunity by poking a loose puck into the neutral zone, chasing it down, and capitalizing on a backhand move to beat Mitch Gilliam. The effort boosted the Express bench as was seen with greater pace around the ice.
Under 6 minutes later, a great forecheck by Travis Stephens led to a turn over that Matthew Barzal stickhandled into a cross-crease pass to Mitch Nardi for the Express' 2nd goal of the game.
3 minutes later the Express struck again. Callum Hofford's shot from the left point powered it's way through screens by Georgeson & Pryzbek and past Gillam to extend the lead to 2.
The 3rd was about playing smart and bringing home the victory for the Express. Chilliwack pressed hard looking to get back into the game. With Mitchell Fyffe serving a hooking penalty, and Gillam pulled for the extra attacker, Shay Laurent's point shot went wide of the net, rebounded off the end boards and Trevor Hills buried the loose puck over Huggins to cut the Express lead to one.
The Chiefs had one last push in the final two minutes, but couldn't find an equalizer and the Express skated off victorious.
Notes
The Express passed Prince George and moved into sole possession of 3rd Place in the Mainland Division… The team travels to P.G. for matchups against the Spruce Kings on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon… It will be the 1st time that Bradley Ryan will be taking on his former team… It will also be the 1st time the Express will see former players Jace Hennig and Matthew Begert.
