The Express defeated the Grizzlies 5-4 in their annual Teddy Bear Toss game.
First Period:
The Grizzlies got a power play opportunity early on as Drew Garzone was called for hooking 2:39 into the period.
The Grizzlies answered back with a penalty of their own as Ryan Watt was called for hooking at 3:58. Both penalties were killed off.
At 9:25 Owen Bohn opened the scoring from Hiscock and Picard.
The Express were able to send teddy bears flying as Tyler Kopff broke through Auyeung-Ashton and put the Express on the board with a wrist shot at 16:49.
Second Period:
Early on, chances were strong for each team, with Manji and Auyeung-Ashton keeping the game tight.
Brady Estabrook took a boarding minor at 8:49, and a minute after that was killed off, Eli Barnett picked up his own boarding minor.
Armstrong capitalized on the power play at 12:31 off a beautiful passing play with Kopff and Brown.
15 seconds later, Moger was called for cross-checking, but it was Dixon who took advantage and used his speed to intercept a pass from Auyeung-Ashton to give the Express a 3-1 lead.
Right as the penalty expired, Colton Alexander took a face-off win from Hamlin and buried the Express’ 3rd of the period and 4th of the game.
Third Period:
To begin the period, the Grizzlies pulled Auyeung-Ashton and put in Ansel Holt.
2:05 into the period, Jacksenn Hungle brought the Grizzlies back to within 2 as he beat Manji off a solo effort.
The Grizzlies were rolling with the momentum and almost 3 minutes after Hungle’s goal, Coco Armstrong was called for high-sticking. The Grizzlies would take advantage and score at 6:14 by Reegan Hiscock.
The Express would take another penalty shortly after as Rubin was called for holding, and at 8:02 Picard would capitalize again as a pair of power play goals would tie the game at 4.
At 10:42 Vardy would be called for delay of game as the net came off in a scrum.
With 17 seconds left to play, Evan Brown from Dixon and Kopff would bury a wrister past Holt and that would be the game winning goal.
Post Game Thoughts:
A big storyline tonight aside from the Teddy Bear Toss, was Auyeung-Ashton’s streak with 3 straight shutouts. The Express all but demolished it as they buried 4 goals against him on 29 shots, and chased him after the conclusion of the 2nd period.
The Express let up their pressure and a pair of penalties brought the already rolling Grizzlies, right back into the game as they were able to convert on both.
Offense was the name of the game tonight with multiple players having 3 point nights, along with 3 power play goals and even a short handed one.
#FullSteamAhead |#RunThisTown
