Friday, December 16, 2016

Express Open Showcase With 5-2 Victory

The Lockport Express arrived in Blaine, Minnesota for the NA3HL Showcase ready for action, and they walked away from Game 1 with a 5-2 victory over the Glacier Nationals. The Express will play two more games this weekend before taking some time off for the holidays.

Andrew Logar opened the scoring for Lockport with a goal at 7:57 of the first period. Assists came from Luca Mazzo and Blake Bennett. Lockport outshot the Nationals 9-3 in that first frame.


Lockport grabbed a 2-0 lead at 5:29 of the second period with Bennett scoring his first of the night. Nick Grupp provided the lone assist. A mere 10 seconds later, Glacier got on the scoreboard with a tally by Austin Moser. The Nationals were able to tie the game at 8:36 after Gavin Cline found the back of the net. Lockport was outshot 10-8 by the Nationals in that frame.


The Express controlled the third period, adding three goals to their total. Bennett added his second of the game at 15:46, with Ryan Metzler and Andrew Logar chipping in the assists. Lockport made it 4-2 just three minutes later when Erick Santiago buried one in the empty net. Mazzo had the lone assist. Brandon Schweickert closed out the scoring for the game with 10 seconds left in regulation to seal the deal. Logar and Bennett added the assists.


Blake Bennett had a four point night with two goals and two assists. Logar had three points, adding a goal and a pair of assists to his season totals. The Express have won 2 out of their last three and seem to have found their skates after a rough patch to start the season.


Head coach, Frank Vecchio, was happy with the team’s performance Friday evening. “Play was good on our end, for sure. We were able to control most of the game.”


Lockport is back in action Saturday afternoon when they face the College Station Spirit at 12:45 Central Time, 1:45 Eastern Time. They close out the showcase Sunday morning with a contest against the Helena Bighorns.


In other Northeast Division action at the showcase on DAY ONE:


Cincinnati Thunder 3, Skylands Kings 2
Peoria Mustangs 6, Jersey Shore Wildcats 1
Binghamton Junior Senators 6,  St Louis Junior Blues 3
Nashville Junior Predators 4, Syracuse Stampede 0
Roc City Royals 5, Evansville Junior Thunderbolts 3

Howell Motors proudly sponsors the Lockport Express
and Niagara Watercooler's live broadcasts.