Three Wins, First Hat Trick Highlight Last Week
February 6, 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, played the first three games of a six game road trip last week, winning all three contests. The Express are now 22-17-5-2 on the season, and their 51 points places them second in the North Division, four points behind Kalamazoo.
Games this week (Home team in CAPS):
Express vs. SOUTH CAROLINA - Friday, February 10 @ 6:05 pm
Express vs. GWINNETT -Saturday, February 11 @ 6:05 pm
Express vs. GREENVILLE - Sunday, February 12 @ 3:05 pm
Last week (Home team in CAPS):
Wednesday, February 1
Express 5, TRENTON 4
Chicago surrendered the only goal of the first period, but LW Devin DiDiomete deflected a shot from D Scott Wietecha off the crossbar 2:41 into the second period to even the game at 1-1. Wietecha then struck on the power play 1:48 later, and F Anthony Maiani added his first as a member of the Express at 5:09 as Chicago grabbed a 3-1 lead. The Titans got back to within one with 1:33 left in the second period as the two sides began trading goals. Maiani and DiDiomete each tallied their second goals of the night in third period and the Titans added two of their own for the game's final 5-4 score.
Thursday, February 2
Express 6, TRENTON 3
The Express scored the first four goals of the game with RW Tyler Donati and LW Devin DiDiomete each scoring in the first period. F Kyle Ostrow struck early in the second, and DiDiomete notched his second of the game at 9:52 before the Titans got their first goal at 12:56 of the middle frame. Trenton cut the score to 4-2 less than two minutes later, but DiDiomete stole the momentum back, picking up his hat trick goal with 1:42 left in the second period. D Scott Wietecha added Chicago's final goal, his second in as many games, and the Titans picked up the final marker with 36 seconds left in the game as Chicago won 6-3.
Saturday, February 4
Express 2, ELMIRA 1
D Scott Wietecha broke the scoreless tie 1:35 into the second period and then scored again for his fourth goal in three games with a power play marker late in the second frame. A penalty shot awarded to Elmira helped the Jackals get on the board, cutting the score to 2-1 with 8:05 left to play. G Peter Mannino and the Express stood strong, as the Express held off Elmira for the 2-1 victory.
Team Notes:
LW Devin DiDiomete recorded the first hat trick in Chicago Express history on Thursday, scoring three goals and one assist as Chicago won 6-3.RW Tyler Donati set Express records for both assists and points in a single game, as he had four assists and five points on Thursday.G Peter Mannino has started 11 straight games for the Express, and has set a club record by winning five straight starts.F Anthony Maiani scored his first and second goals for the Express on Wednesday night, as Chicago beat Trenton 5-4.The Express have won five straight games, dating back to a 3-0 win over Cincinnati on January 28.Chicago faced their third penalty shot of the season on Saturday, and are now tied with Greenville and South Carolina for second most penalty shots faced. Only Kalamazoo, who has faced four penalty shots, has seen more.
Team Leaders:
Goals: Johnson - 14
Assists: Donati - 36
Points: Donati - 48
Power play goals: Johnson - 6
Short-handed Goals: Johnson - 2
Plus/Minus: Lutz - +14
Penalty Minutes: DiDiomete - 169
GAA: Mannino - 2.60
Save Percentage: Mannino - .914
League Leaders:
RW Tyler Donati - 48 points (6th, ECHL)
RW Tyler Donati - 36 assists (2nd, ECHL)
D Darcy Campbell -14 power play assists (t-1st, ECHL)
RW Tyler Donati - 30 assists (t-5th, ECHL)
LW Devin DiDiomete - 169 PIM (2nd, ECHL)
LW Devin DiDiomete - 25.6 shooting percentage (4th, ECHL)
D Scott Wietecha - 16.7 shooting percentage (2nd, rookies)
Chicago - 960 PIM (1st, Eastern Conference)
The Express play their next three games away from home, before returning to the Sears Centre Arena on Friday, February 17. February 17 is a Dollar Friday, featuring one dollar beers and one dollar hot dogs.
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