MINERS CAN’T DE-RAIL THE EXPRESS

MINERS CAN’T DE-RAIL THE EXPRESS
CANADIAN PRESS (Long Island, NY)

A new season filled with controlled optimism and hope opened in Long Island on Tuesday night for the Sudbury Miners.

Unfortunately, though, the problems that the Miners had last year putting the puck in the back of the net, reared their ugly head again, as the Long Island Express handed the Sudbury Miners a season-opening 2-1 loss on Tuesday night.

Express forward Matt Barzal led the way with a goal and an assist, including the game-winner early in the third period. Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves in the Express net to take the win. Wayne Simmonds had the lone marker for the Miners, while goalie Fredrick Andersen, who was making his
Miners debut made 27 saves in the loss.

The Miners controlled most of the opening period, outshooting the Express 15-10, but the teams would go to the dressing room on goals by Simmonds and Express forward Jordan Eberle.
In the second, both teams would trade a number of top-notch scoring chances, but neither team could put one past Lundqvist or Andersen, who were both excellent on the night.

In the third, the Express would jump out to an early lead, as Barzal’s wrist shot would find the top corner just 1:25 into the final frame. Gabriel Landeskog and John Klingberg would draw the assists.
That would be all the scoring for the remainder of the contest.

“Not how we wanted to start the season, but it is not all bad”, stated Miners coach Derek Sutton. “They (Long Island) are a much-improved team. We did a better job at generating some chances but just couldn’t put one past Lundqvist. We have some things to work on but going forward, I feel that we are going to make some strides this year.”

The two teams would finish the third period tied with 8 shots on net each, but the Miners would end the contest with a 33-28 advantage overall.

MINERS NUGGETS

- Special Teams were solid last night. The penalty kill was perfect in six chances, while the power play was 1- for-4 on the night.
- Next game for the Miners is the Home Opener on Thursday night versus the Fonthill Flying Squirrels.