Jr A's Take
3 of 4 Points from Cyclones
B Team Sweeps
Long Island Royals
|
(Walpole, MA) -- In the Walpole
Express Jr. A team's first AJHL North division series of the
season, the team took three of four points from the Northern
Cyclones with a 2-1 win in Hudson, N.H. on Friday night, and
tough 2-1 OT shootout loss on Saturday at Iorio Arena in Walpole,
Mass..
Friday's Game
The Express enjoyed a tremendous goaltending performance by
Derek
Kump who made 33 saves on 34 shots on the way to a 2-1 win
at Cyclones Arena. After more than 19 minutes of scoreless hockey
in the first period, the Express took the lead when Brian
Greene’s blueline wrist shot beat Cyclones goalie
David O’Brien. The second period was all about special
teams with neither the Express nor the Cyclones able to capitalize
on multiple chances. In the third, the Express added a little
insurance when Ryan
Eaker slammed home a rebound to give Walpole a two-goal
lead. Though the Cyclones eventually cut the lead in half, Kump
shut them down the rest of the way for the two points.
Saturday's Game
In the Express' home opener, the team again took advantage of
superior goaltending -- this time from rookie Zach
Andrews who had a 33-save night. In the second period,
the Express opened the scoring as Eaker hit the back of the
net with a low snap shot from the half wall to give Walpole
the 1-0 lead. At 11:47 in the third, the Cyclones capitalized
on the Express' frequent trips to the box and tied the game.
Unfortunately, the Express could not find a way to beat Cyclones
goaltender Arnaud Gottschall more than once so both teams ended
regulation tied at 1. After playing a scoreless five minutes
of overtime the teams went to the shootout were it took nine
rounds to decide the outcome.
Looking Ahead
The A team is now preparing for a busy week. The team travels
to Salem, N.H. to face the Boston Bulldogs on Wednesday night
at 8:30 pm, and then plays a home-and-home series this weekend
against the Portland Jr. Pirates. On Friday, Oct. 23 the Express
hosts the Jr. Pirates at new Hyannis Youth and Community Center
in Hyannis, Mass. at 7:30 pm and then travels to Saco, Maine
for a 4:30 pm puck drop on Saturday, Oct. 24.
B Team Update
The Express Jr. B team continued to stockpile points on home
ice with a weekend sweep of the Long Island Royals. Friday night
featured an offensive outburst as the Express put up seven goals
on the way to a 7-1 win. Kevin
Zipkin registered a hat trick and Carmen
Mastrangelo, Matt
Bletzer, Aaron
Gonzales and Jake
Domos each scored. Brendan
Hammatt made 29 saves for the win in net.
On Sunday, in a much different game, the Express still found
a way to get the two points with a 4-3 OT shootout win. Derek
Scott scored his first goal of the season while Mastrangelo
and Gonzales added the other goals. TJ
Thornton made 21 saves and added three more in the shootout
between the pipes. The B team will next be in action this
weekend when they travel to the New York Saints on Sunday
for an 11:00 am start. |
