The woes for the win column for the Lockport Express continued in action Friday evening against the Southern Tier Xpress. Lockport dropped the decision 4-3 at the Cornerstone Ice Arena. It was the only game of the weekend for the Express. The streak now stands at 17.
Lockport came out in the first period a little timid with their play. Southern Tier used their speed and crisp passing to control the period. Cameron Trejchal opened the scoring at 8:17, with assists from Matthew Crosby and Santeri Rajakillio. In his first game back after injury, Lockport’s Dominic Senese tied the game at 13:33. Gibson Stuart supplied the assist.
Lockport came out with more focus in the second period. Both teams tightened up defensively, and only one goal was scored in that frame. Southern Tier’s Jacob St. Andre was credited with the lone tally of the period, with an assist by Ty Rickabaugh.
Lockport newcomer, Blake Bennett, notched his fourth goal in as many games 1:40 into the third to tie the game 2-2. Gibson Stuart and Andrew Logar added the assists. Southern Tier regained the lead on Arttu Rajamaki’s goal at 7:32.
Southern Tier’s fourth goal was a controversial one. The referee called a goal on a shorthanded shot by Joseph Gerace. The puck clearly never crossed the goal line as is skittered through the blue ice.The play continued by both teams until the referee started emphatically pointing at the net to indicate a goal.
Lockport added a goal just moments later as Aaron Shahin netted one in his return after a lengthy injury. Dominic Senese provided the assist on the power play goal. Any further comeback by Lockport was thwarted by a series of scrappy plays that resulted in several penalties.
Lockport will host a pair of games at Cornerstone Ice Arena next Saturday and Sunday as they face off against the Jersey Shore Wildcats. Saturday’s game will be at 8:00pm, while Sunday’s will be at 2:00pm. The Express will then head off to Blaine, Minnesota for a trio of games in the league showcase.
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