Express
Go 2-1 at Weekend Showcase
A's Home Opener
Saturday
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(Walpole, MA) -- The Walpole Express
Jr. A team took four of a possible six points at the annual
Columbus Day weekend showcase in Hudson, N.H. Though the weekend
began precariously -- the team arrived late in Hudson due to
a massive traffic jam on Rte 95, slightly delaying the start
of the game -- the Express quickly set the ice ablaze with a
4-1 win over the Philadelphia Little Flyers. Walpole jumped
to an early lead just under seven minutes into the game when
Steve
Charest home a power play goal assisted by Matt
Hogan and Chris
Comprosky. In the second period, the Express increased that
lead on another Charest power play goal assisted by Lou
Malvasi and Jake
Brightbill, and moments later Austin
Grosvenor added another off the stick of Matt
Harrington. Matt
Venoit closed out the scoring with just under six minutes
to play with Malvasi and Comprosky both picking up their second
assists of the game. In net, Zach
Andrews stopped 18 of 19 shots, and made a number of tough
saves for his second win of the young season.
“Friday night we took care of business and didn’t
use the late start as an excuse," said Coach Mark Kumpel.
"It took us bit to get going but once we did we played
well." The trend continued on Saturday when the Express
faced the toughest competition to this point in the young
season. The New York Bobcats, like the Express, had not lost
a game in regulation. The game featured tight checking and
both goaltenders, Derek
Kump for Walpole and Joe Reagan from the Bobcats, had
to make tough saves through the first 25 minutes. The second
half started out much the same with both teams being denied
some good scoring opportunities. At 13:03 a pair of Express
rookies teamed up to put the Express ahead for good. DJ
Dinnison knocked in a backdoor rebound off the stick of
Wes
Heinle to give Walpole the 1-0 lead. The pace continued
up and down for the remainder of the game until Cody Armstrong
sealed the deal for Walpole with his empty net goal with :42
seconds remaining. Kump was excellent in net making 21 saves
for the win.
With two strong showings, Sunday was a letdown. "On Saturday
we played a really good Bobcats team and played our best game
to this point, especially defensively,” said Coach Kumpel.
“Unfortunately, on Sunday we lost our momentum and played
perhaps our worst game. Not taking anything away from the
Jr. Flyers, we allowed them to set the pace and direct the
game. We didn’t respond like we are capable.”
Though the Express came out flat on Sunday the team still
managed to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission on goals
by Cody
Armstrong and a power play strike by Brian
Greene. Matt Harrington assisted on both goals. But, that
was the extent of Walpole’s scoring as the Jr. Flyers
capitalized on power play chances in the second period. The
Express could not find a way to defeat Philadelphia goaltender
Spencer Gold in the final minutes. The result was the Express'
first regular-season loss, 3-2.
The Express will be back in action this coming weekend for
a home-and-home set against arch rival Northern Cyclones.
On Friday, the Express travel back to Hudson for a 7:30 pm
start, and will finally play the team's AJHL home opener on
Saturday at 8:30 pm. “Divisional play starts for real
this weekend," said Coach Tony Dalessio. "Every
game is a four-point swing. We have two with the Cyclones,
one with the Bulldogs and two with Portland over the next
two weeks. This weekend is going to be a battle. Our guys
will regroup after today and get ready.” |
