EXPRESS MIXLR BROADCAST

Sunday, September 29, 2013

SPRUCE KINGS SWEEP PAIR OF GAMES WITH EXPRESS

It couldn't have been a better weekend for the Prince George Spruce Kings, they swept a 3 game road swing through the Lower Mainland and picked up all 6 points including a pair of wins over the Coquitlam Express.

The second win over the Express coming on a 4-3 2OT win Sunday afternoon.

Prince George opened the scoring 14 minutes into the first period as Skylar Pacheco's screen shot got past Gordy Defiel for his 4th of the season.

It didn't take long for the Express to reply less than 90 seconds later on one of the prettiest goals of the season to date on a 3 way passing play with Corey Mackin, Adam Rockwood and Canon Pieper resulting in Pieper finishing off the play and tie the game at 1 with his 2nd goal of the season.

2:14 later the Express struck again on a delayed penalty for Prince George in effect, Ryan Rosenthal's shot from the slot tipped to Mackin who swatted it home at the side of the net to give the Express their lone lead of the game.

The Poirier Sports and Leisure centre might be quickly becoming the favorite rink in the league for Spruce Kings defenceman Karan Toor. He didn't have a goal in 69 career BCHL games before this weekend. He scored the game winner Friday, then he scored a shorthanded goal Sunday with 4 minutes remaining in the second period to tie the game at 2.

Christian Weidauer two minutes into the third period pinched in on the right side and snapped a quick shot past Defiel to put Prince George in the lead for the second time in the game.

Captain Ryan Rosenthal back in the lineup after missing Friday's game continues to show his ability for big goals at big times. He took a flip pass from Corey Mackin and snapped home his third of the season to even the game at 3. All 3 of his goals have come in the third period have either tied the game or gave the Express some key insurance so far this season.

Each team had their chances to win the game on the powerplay either late in the third or early in overtime. The Express killed off a key penalty to John Saunders late in the third and into overtime. They finished 5 for 5 while a man down on the afternoon. And they continue to be the best team in the BCHL when it comes to penalty killing having killed off 26 of 28 shorthanded situations sitting at 92.86%.

The powerplay on the other hand is another story. It had a chance to win the game in overtime for the Express and couldn't get the job done. It went 0 for 6 Sunday and sits 15th out of 16 BCHL teams overall at 4 for 37 10.81%.

The game ended quickly in the second overtime as Bryant Christian returning from a one game suspension chopped the puck over Defiel to give the Spruce Kings the 4-3 win at the 29 second mark.

Next weekend the Express have 3 more crucial divisional games starting with a home and home with the Chilliwack Chiefs that starts Friday in Coqutilam. Then a Sunday afternoon game in Surrey.

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