(Walpole, MA) -- The Walpole Express Jr. A team took a 4-3 victory from the Boston Bulldogs on the road Saturday night. In need of a win to keep pace with Hartford for second place in the North division, the Express came out flying in the first period with four goals. Ryan Kelly tallied two goals, including the game winner, while Dan Rainer and Charles LaChance each contributed a goal and an assist, and Lou Malvasi provided three assists. Rich Stine made 27 saves in net.

Head Coach Mark Kumpel said he was pleased with the effort and the two points. "We talked all week about getting it back together and getting some tempo and we showed that tonight,” Kumpel said. “I thought we had four lines going strong and Stine, as usual, put us in a position to win."

Next up for the Express is a Wednesday night game in Hartford before returning home for a tough three-game AJHL showcase at Iorio. "The AJ North is so tight right now for the second, third and fourth spots that the last eight games of the regular season are going to be a battle,” GM/Coach Tony Dalessio said. “We still face the Bulldogs three more times and those games will be tough."

The Express Jr. B team also enjoyed a victorious weekend winning 5-3 Saturday night and 7-2 on Sunday on the road against the Portland Jr. Pirates. Will Harrop sizzled with five goals and two assists. Matt Bletzer, Kevin Hanlon and JP Kascsak also had multi-goal weekends. Zach Andrews got both wins in net.

"Saturday was a little sluggish,” said Coach Tony Dalessio. “Fortunately, we picked it up on Sunday and played well. A lot of different guys got involved offensively, which helped our momentum."

The B team will next be in action at the showcase in Walpole this Saturday against the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers.