(Walpole, MA) -- The Walpole Express traveled to Cromwell, CT this past weekend to embark on a weekend series with the Hartford Jr. Wolf Pack. The weekend started off excellent for the Express on Saturday night as they swarmed the Hartford net from the onset and found themselves in control after the first period with a 3-1 lead. Ed Rohaly got things going for Walpole with his second goal of the season beating the Wolf Pack goalie with a low five hole shot. Matt Harrington would take things over moments later when he put home a power play goal with the assist going to Cody Armstrong. Harrington would then connect again on a 3 on 2 rush with a nice individual move for his second of the game.

The Express would continue to poor it on in the second capitalizing on three power play opportunities. Steve Charest would get it going when he buried a Lou Malvasi centering pass to make the score 4-1. Hartford would cut the lead when the also would convert on the power play to make it 4-2. Walpole would answer back again on the man up when Matt Venoit would get a stick on a Jake Bright bill point shot to give the Express another three goal lead. Venoit would again strike from the slot on a quick passing play out of the corner from Charest and Malvasi. Troy Polino would pick up his first Express goal in the third to finish off the scoring in Walpole’s 7-3 win. Derek Kump made 25 saves in net for the win.

On Sunday Hartford came out taking the play to Walpole from the start and would take a one goal lead mid way through the first with a power play strike. “We played sloppy and non-aggressive in the first,” said Coach Mark Kumpel. “Hartford set the tone of the game and we just didn’t match it.” In the second the Express would finally start picking things up as they sent a flurry of shots on the Hartford net only to be turned aside on numerous occasions by Wolf Pack goaltender Matt Mule (48 saves). Brian Greene would tie the game for Walpole when he deposited a back door feed from Charest. Hartford would go back up with the eventual game winner with just over three minutes remaining in the second when the capitalized on the tail end of a power play. The Express would get there chances in the third but Mule was again up to the task tuning away 19 Walpole shots and giving Hartford there first win this season over the Express this season. “We had our chances and just couldn’t solve there goaltender, he played good and there team played hard today. We’ve had a tough stretch of games this past three weekends and our team has performed well,” said Coach Tony Dalessio

The Express will look to get back in the win column this weekend when they host the Laconia Leafs on Friday at Iorio Arena and travel to Saco, ME on Saturday to take on the Portland Jr. Pirates.

The Express Jr. B team enjoyed a nice weekend sweep as they also took on the Hartford Jr. Wolf Pack B team in Cromwell, CT. The Express got a nice goaltending performance from Brendan Hammatt and goals from newcomer Ryann Andrews, Kevin Zipkin, Dan Bufis and Aaron Gonzales for a 4-2 win Saturday night. Walpole would complete the weekend sweep with another 4-2 win on Sunday. Andrews, Jack Mulvaney, Chris Tully and Carmen Mastrangelo would score the goals and Matt Leon made 17 saves in net for the win. “They guys bounced back after a two tough losses last weekend, I’m pleased with the performance on the road.” Said Coach Mike Tenney. The B team will be off this weekend before heading in the annual MJHL Thanksgiving weekend Showcase in CT.