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Express Face Texas In Rematch For Spot In NAHL Championship Game

May 11, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Owatonna Express News Release


BOARDMAN, Ohio - Entering this week's NAHL national championship tournament, the Southern Minnesota Express were well aware that the road to the Robertson Cup passed through Texas. They just didn't know they'd have to travel down that road twice in three days. The Express, 5-2 winners Thursday night over host Mahoning Valley, will face the Texas Tornado at 1 p.m. CDT Friday in a rematch of Thursday's 7-3 win over the two-time defending national champions. Unfortunately, they will face the toughest opponent in the league without the services of defenseman Jeff Carlson. The Express captain took a hard slash in the first period Thursday night, breaking a bone in his hand. Carlson spent most of the evening in the emergency room before x-rays revealed the break. His right hand and wrist were placed in a cast and Carlson will require surgery when he returns to Minnesota.

The Express played only as well as they had to in knocking off the host Phantoms. Jason Wiley scored two more goals for Southern Minnesota, including a highlight-reel spectacle in the third period that left the Mahoning Valley defenders running around like Keystone Cops while he dangled with the puck, eventually burying a wrist shot top shelf. Wiley also had an assist for a three-point game. He had four points on the tournament's opening day against Texas. Jamie Ruff had two goals and two assists while linemate James Gaulrapp scored once and added three assists. Eric Largen made 28 saves for the win to remain undefeated in the playoffs.

Southern Minnesota has now won seven straight playoff games. The Express will need to muster up the strength to beat the very physical Tornado squad a second time if they are to become the first expansion team in the modern era of the NAHL to win the Robertson Cup. Meanwhile, Bozeman will face Mahoning Valley in the other semifinal after enjoying a day off Thursday. Friday's winners play for the national championship on Saturday. The losers will meet Saturday afternoon in the third place game.

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