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Express Need OT to Extend Home Win Streak

by Jacob Lazare  |

In  a Sunday rematch with the Surrey Eagles, the score was much closer but the result was still the same. It was the Express’ 16th consecutive home victory (dating back to last season and including a neutral site showcase win) and their 24th win of the season. Click here for the boxscore.

Clay Stevenson – Photo courtesy Damon James

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Friday night, Surrey opened the scoring before 6 unanswered Express goals turned the tide of the game. Surrey had a pair of early powerplay opportunities to open the scoring once again, but Clay Stevenson and the Express penalty kill kept the game scoreless.

It would be the Granby, QC native Greg Lapointe who would open the scoring with 5 minutes to go in the first. He beat his former Stanstead College teammate Tommy Scarfone over the glove to make it 1-0.

Greg Lapointe – Photo courtesy Damon James

 

The Eagles would tie things up 2 minutes later, as Cristophe Tellier buried a powerplay goal to even the game at 1 after 20 minutes.

Early in the second period, Greg Lapointe found himself on the scoresheet again, this time with a helper. Taking a feed from Cooper Connell, Lapointe turned on the afterburners, gaining the Eagles zone and setting up Joshua Wildauer, who made a move to backhand and put the Express back in front.

The lead was once again short lived. Surrey capitalized on another powerplay, when Kieran O’Hearn’s point shot hit Gabe Schovanek and beat Clay Stevenson. It was the first time since September 20 that the Express gave up multiple powerplay goals in a game.

The 2 – 2 deadlock went unbroken in the third period. Both teams had opportunities to take the lead, but were unable to solve Scarfone and Stevenson. Overtime was needed for the third time at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex this season. The Eagles won the opening faceoff, and quickly got the puck to captain Hudson Schandor who was all alone in front. Stevenson got just enough of the shot to send it high in the air over the net. It landed just inches from the post and right in the wheelhouse for Massimo Rizzo. As is often the case in 3 on 3 OT, a chance at one end leads to an even better one at the other. Rizzo sprung Will Margel who carried the puck the length of the ice before feeding it into the slot. Steven Bellini outmuscled a Surrey defender and chipped it over Scarfone for the overtime winner.

Will Margel and Drew Cooper – Photo courtesy Damon James

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The game concluded another week of BCHL action, and Greg Lapointe was rewarded for his production. He received Subway BCHL Player of the Week Honours, with his teammates Massimo Rizzo and Josh Wildauer earning honourable mentions. The Express next game is Friday November 29 against the Chilliwack Chiefs.