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Express Stack Up Well in Trail

by Eddie Gregory |

Massimo Rizzo scored twice and added an assist as the Express picked up their 45th win of the season by a 5-2 score Saturday in Trail. https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9643

The win extended the Express winning streak to four and was the 7th win in the last 8 games.

9 minutes into the first Rizzo and James Bohn teamed up to set up affiliate player KT Walters who buried his first BCHL goal to open the scoring. Just under two minutes later Michael Colella chipped a puck over Jack Watson to pull Trail onto even terms after one period.

Watson finished with 32 saves in the Express crease. Some of his best work came in the second period. He reached out with the blocker to take away what appeared to be a tap in for Owen Ozar on a chance off the rush.

A few minutes later Watson would get the better of Ozar again when he cut past an Express defender then cut to the net and Watson held out Ozar’s backhand.

Saturday was the first time the Express would face BCHL scoring leader Kent Johnson live in the flesh. The Port Moody native had his moments of trying to create cute plays through the night. But the Express all night long kept him in check to prevent him from hitting the scoresheet.

At one end Johnson found the puck near the front of the Express net. Johnson tried to be fancy and shoot the puck between his legs. The chance didn’t materialize in much. Massimo Rizzo followed the play the other way and swatted at the puck from below the goal line and banked it in off Logan Terness to give the Express a 2-1 lead.

In the third Watson stood tall as Trail pushed to pull even with 17 shots. But the Express did a good job to help support their goaltender.

Adam Trotman was leaned on heavily this weekend for his defensive prowess. He then teamed up with Brad Ong midway through the third on a give and go to give the Express a 3-1 lead.

Four minutes later Connor Gregga found a trailing Danny Pearson who snapped a shot inside the post to open the Express lead to 4-1.

Walker Erickson with a backhand shaved the Express lead to 4-2 with 2:28 to play.

But Rizzo capped off his three point night by hitting the empty net in the final seconds of the game.

The Express will come home for their final home game of the regular season Wednesday night vs. Surrey.

And their first round playoff opponent has been determined when Langley defeated the Prince George Spruce Kings in overtime Sunday setting up a first round match up with the Rivermen.