The Express got back into the win column Wednesday night as they took the first game of a home and home series this week with the Merritt Centennials with a 7-2 win.
The game marked the return to Merritt for Harrison May. He was one of the few bright spots on a team that won just 13 games a season ago.
Things didn't get off to a good start for May, the Cents opened the scoring midway through the first period as Dustin Johnson scored off a centering pass from Jeff Zmurchyk.
Johnson's goal came on the powerplay for the Centennials. It was the first powerplay goal the Express had allowed since the third period of the seasons opening game in Cowichan Valley. It snapped a streak of 16 consecutive penalty kills for the Express.
Merrit took their lead into the 2nd period. The lead however, didn't last long, Matt Ius scored his first goal of the season just 32 seconds into the 2nd period. The goal was a thing of beauty as it came off the rush, Ius just stepped inside the blueline and fired a laser of a wrist shot top corner stick side on Spencer Bacon.
Hear Ius' first goal here.
Less than 5 minutes later the Express took the lead. Simon Denis cut to the net from the left wing, a huge scramble ensued and Garrick Perry among a mass of humanity in front of the net poked the puck past Bacon.
5 minutes after the Perry goal, the Express struck again. Zac Ashdown cut down the right side on a partial break and fired a snap shot stick side past Bacon to give the Express a 3-1 lead. The goal for Ashdown was his first with the Express.
Burnaby added one more goal before the period was done. Brad Reid and Rich Manley teamed up behind the Merritt net to come up with the puck and Manley walked in front of the net and put a perfect pass on the stick of Jon Puskar who had a tap in for his 4th goal of the season.
The Express tallied four times on eleven shots in the 2nd period. That would be the end of the night for Spencer Bacon who was pulled in favour of Norbert Biszczak for the start of the third period.
The change in goal didn't do much to change Merritt's fortunes, Puskar added his 2nd goal of the game on a powerplay. You can put this one on the growing list of great shots for Puskar as he picked the top corner glove side on Biszczak.
Hear Puskar's 2nd goal here.
The offensive barrage for Burnaby continued, Matt Ius scored his second goal of the game on a breakaway. Jimmy Gerrin hit Zac Ashdown with a stretch pass who then tipped it to Ius who walked in alone and deked to the backhand to put the puck home.
Hear Ius' 2nd goal here.
That goal was followed just 58 seconds later at 10:58 with Dylan Herold scoring on a kick pass by Garrick Perry to give the Express a 7-1 lead.
Dustin Johnson rounded out the scoring with his 2nd of the game with 7 minutes left in the third period.
Final score Express 7 Centennials 2.
It was a balanced attack for the Express on this night. Jon Puskar and Matt Ius each scored twice. Puskar also added an assist to finish with 3 points. Puskar's 5 goals have him in a tie for 2nd in the BCHL in goals.
Eleven players registered at least one point for Burnaby.
This game also had a rough edge to it as 5 separate fights broke out over the course of the game.
Part of that due to the Express playing for one another and proving they wouldn't be pushed around. In the first period, Rich Manley got hit from behind by Jake Baker, Manley took exception and turned around and started pounding away at the Merritt defenceman.
Then in the 2nd period, Baker was in his second fight of the night. Baker wiped out Garrick Perry with a hard clean check along the boards and Zac Ashdown came to Perry's defence dropping the gloves with Baker.
Harrison May stopped 36 of 38 shots for the win in his return to Merritt. He stepped up when he was needed, but wasn't forced to bail his team out in spite of the high shot total.
Burnaby improves their record to 3-0-0-1 with the win. The Express along with the Vernon Vipers are the only teams in the BCHL to not suffer a regulation defeat this season.
Shots:
Burnaby 40
Merritt 38
3 stars:
3. Dustin Johnson - Scored both goals in a losing cause for the Centennials.
2. Harrison May - Successful return to Merritt for May picking up the win with 36 saves.
1. Jon Puskar - His second consecutive 2 goal performance. He also added an assist. Puskar's 9 points are tied for 5th in the BCHL scoring race.
Up next:
vs. Merritt Saturday.
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