(Walpole, MA) -- With the holiday break and the All-Star games behind them, the Walpole Express A and B teams are focused on the remaining games of the regular season. With 10 games to go, the A team currently is in a four-way battle with the Northern Cyclones, Boston Bulldogs and the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack for the top four seeds in the AJHL North division. The Express hope to capitalize on their remaining games with some of these teams – four against the Bulldogs and one against Hartford – by posting some wins. They also have two games against the Portland Jr. Pirates and three showcase games. The Express will not face the Cyclones again this season.

"The top four spots are up for grabs right now,” said Jr. A Head Coach Mark Kumpel. “The Cyclones have jumped out in front by a few points, but that may change. These final five weeks of play are going to be important for all four teams vying for home ice advantage. To succeed, they need to peak at the right time."

The A team will travel to Maine to face the Portland Jr. Pirates on Sunday, Feb. 1 for a 12:30 pm game at the MHG Center in Saco.

The Express B team is also working toward a strong finish for the 2008-2009 season. With nine games remaining before the playoffs, the Express will see a lot of highway miles in the next few weeks as the team travels to Troy, NY and Portland for weekend series. The Express also have a monster showcase schedule to prepare for. They’ll face the NJ Titans, Suffolk PAL and Philadelphia Jr. Flyers.

"Don’t get comfortable. That’s what I have been preaching to the guys all season,” said Jr. B Head Coach Tony Dalessio. “As we get down to our last few contests we need to elevate our game. The true test for us will be in the showcase. We play three tough games in three days. A strong effort with good results will go a long way toward securing a top spot in the playoffs."

The B team will hit the road this weekend when they head to New York to take on the Troy Eagles. This will be the final two meetings between the teams this season.