The Express fell 6-3 to the Eagles in their final game of 2022.
First Period:
The Express got an early power play opportunity as #9 Cole Galata picked up a tripping minor just 2:28 into the period. The Express had zone time but were unable to get many chances as they tallied only 1 shot on goal during the 2 minute timeframe.
1:20 after the penalty expired, #20 AP Ethan Rosenoff sniped home his 2nd goal in 2 games to give the Express a 1-0 lead.
The Eagles would bounce back as #29 Jake Bongo beat #34 Adam Manji to tie the game at 1-1.
Shots in the period were 12-11 for the Eagles.
Second Period:
Off a strong forecheck, #90 Brady Estabrook picked up the puck along the wall and fed it to #12 Liam Tanner who stormed the net and slid the puck past the sliding pad of #30 Eli Pulver to make it 2-1 Express 6 minutes into the frame.
At 7:12 #17 Mateo Dixon buried a rebound in front to give the Express a 3-1 lead.
This was followed up at 7:49 by 3 penalties that resulted in the man advantage for the Express. #20 Rosenoff was given 2 minutes for boarding, Eagles Coach Cam Keith was given a bench minor and #27 Tate Taylor was given 2 minutes for roughing. This was killed off by the Eagles.
#23 Jake Bonkowski got one past Manji to bring it back to within in, 3-2 for the Express.
At 16:15, #21 Cam Moger was give 2+10 for a check from behind which put the Express on the penalty kill. The Express stayed strong on the PK and kept the 1-goal lead going into the 3rd.
Third Period:
34 seconds into the period #7 Ross Roloson shot one home to tie the game 3-3.
#2 Jason Gallucci was called for slashing at 6:35 and the Eagles took advantage. Jake Bonkowski got his second of the game to give the Eagles their first lead at 8:19.
They would follow it up with a pair of empty netters b #7 Ross Roloson and #18 Conner Schneider.
Post Game Thoughts:
This was a closer game than the score would indicate as a pair of empty netters negated the late game push brought on by the Express.
The usual offensive stars weren’t able to produce chances they way we were used to due to a strong defensive game by the Eagles, but other players stepped up and had strong games such as AP Ethan Rosenoff who was driving play as well as #4 Michael Rubin.
#FullSteamAhead | #RunThisTown
