Just taking a quick glance at how things are going for the Express here's a few things that stand out.
I can't recall the last time the Express took all 3 games in a 3 game in 3 night weekend. And to do it on the road is that much more impressive. Closest thing I can recall to taking all 6 points was a weekend during the 05-06 season when the Express took 5 out of 6 points on the road with two wins and a tie in Quesnel, Prince George and Williams Lake.
The Express are now 7-5-0-1 on the road. The 7 road wins matches the number they were able to accumulate on the road all of last season.
Entering the season it is well known that the Express were going to do everything in their power to crack one of the top 4 spots in the Coastal Conference, in order to achieve that certainly one area that needed to improve was more success on the road, and that has happened.
The Express have much more options to choose from at various positions.
Perhaps most notably is in between the pipes. Cole Huggins took all three wins for the Express this weekend. That included his second shutout of the season Saturday in Alberni Valley. He is now 5-0 with the Express. This isn't to take anything away from returning veteran Khaleed Devji, but what it does give the Express is two options they can lean on in the crease.
Offensively the Express have more weapons at their disposal. Earlier this year most of the offence went through Alex Petan, Alex Kerfoot and John Siemer. Now there is much more support as a group offensively for the Express. They've picked up a number of players to give the team more offensive depth in its line up.
If I was to ask you who the second leading scorer for the Express this season is? If you were to answer 19 year old third year forward Malcom Mckinney you would be correct. He has quietly put up 20 points in 22 games this season. He is just 2 points shy of matching his point total in 52 games last season.
Taylor Bourne has produced what the Express were hoping they were getting when he was acquired from the Olds Grizzlys of the AJHL in exchange for Mitchell Deacon. He has 6 goals and 10 points in his first 7 Express games.
Looking at the Express roster shows many weapons for Coach Calvano to choose from when he can pick from the likes of Petan, Kerfoot, Siemer, Bourne, Mckinney, Shaw, Nardi and Clinton Atkinson on the backend.
Special teams has been consistently one of the better aspects of the Express game all season. They've placed themselves in the top 3 in the BCHL in both the powerplay and penalty kill.
This recent run of success has put them in postion to knock on the door of a playoff spot. They have won 6 of their last 8 games having picked up points in 7 of those contests. That run has pulled the Express within just 1 point of Victoria and Powell River who are tied for 4th place.
And just for the sake of discussion the Express are just 4 points behind Surrey for 1st place. Keep in mind that the Express and Eagles will meet for 4 consecutive meetings in early December.
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