Express Move Back into Tie for 8th with 3-1 Win Over Walleye
March 25, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Chicago Express News Release
Hoffman Estates, IL - The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, jumped back into a tie for eighth place in the Eastern Conference as they defeated the Toledo Walleye 3-1 at the Sears Centre Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The game started off with a great tempo but it wasn't until the second period that the Express took the lead. After hitting 3 crossbars during a power play, the Express finally got on the board at 6:50 when F Anthony Maiani skated to the left of G Dustin Carlson drawing him out of position as he fed F Ryley Grantham a pass in front of the net that Grantham tapped past Carlson. D Darcy Campbell also assisted on the play. The Walleye answered back with just over 3 minutes to go in the period, when LW Kris Belan fired a shot that bounced high off of the glove of G Rob Madore and dropped behind the Chicago netminder and trickled into the goal as he tried to track down the puck. Chicago held a 24-12 shot advantage through two frames.
Chicago continued the barrage of shots in the third period, and were rewarded just past the halfway point of the final frame. Grantham forced the puck to the front of the net, and after an initial save from Carlson, F Mike Embach pushed the loose puck back the Grantham who hammered it home, putting the Express ahead 2-1. D Taylor Ellington polished off the victory, as he hustled for a loose puck and buried it in the empty net with a diving shot. The goal was scored with 2:21 seconds left in the game, and Chicago finished the game with a 35-18 shots on goal advantage. Chicago's win, combined with a Reading win and a Cyclones loss, puts the Express back into a tie for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Power plays: CHI: 0/3; TOL: 0/0
Three stars: 1. R. Grantham (CHI); 2. X. A. Maiani (CHI); 3. D. Carlson (TOL)
Notes:
Chicago was not whistled for a single penalty during the game, the first time in club history they have not been called for a penalty in a game... The Express played their final game against the Walleye, finishing with a record of 6-5-2 against Toledo this season... Chicago is tied with Reading and Cincinnati for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Each of those three teams have three games remaining, and Chicago and Cincinnati meet head-to-head twice next week.
The Express host Cincinnati on Wednesday, March 28, and Kalamazoo on Friday, March 30. Friday night is a Dollar Friday, featuring one dollar beers and one dollar hot dogs. The specially priced items will be sold until midway through the third period.
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