New goalie helps Express break winless streak on Owatonna

OWATONNA — The Express made sure 2009 didn't end with a seven-game winless streak.

Owatonna defeated Albert Lea 3-1 in North American Hockey League action Thursday at the Four Seasons Centre. The Express came into the game looking for their first win since defeating Alexandria on Dec. 4.

"It was nice to get this win," said Express forward Dan Cecka. "We lost to Albert Lea in overtime before break. We were on a six-game slump there. It's good to get a win."

Albert Lea struck first when Taylor Ward scored a power-play goal eight minutes into the game. The Express committed three penalties in the first period.

Owatonna answered when Cecka secured a pass from his line mate Jake Youso, skated around the back of the net and shot it past Thunder goalie Joe Rogers with 8 minutes, 44 seconds left in the first period.

"I just came around and put it on the net, like coach always tells us to do, and I got a lucky bounce," Cecka said. "I was probably lucky, but I'll take it."

The Express blew the game open early in the second period. Jake Youso and Chris Darnell scored goals in the first two minutes of the second to give the Express a 3-1 lead.

"We were opportunistic tonight," said Owatonna coach Pat Cullen. "We don't like to have to kill penalties as much as we did tonight, but we did it. A win is a win."

From there, Owatonna relied on new goalie Matt Hemingway to keep the Express in front. Hemingway stopped all 22 shots fired on him after the Express took the lead and earned his first win in goal.

The Express return to the Four Seasons Centre on Saturday against Alexandria.

"It's another division foe," Cullen said. "The first half is done now and every one is trying to make a run in the second half. That's what we are focusing on. Tonight was a nice start to the second half."

Hemingway graduated from Alexandria High School and played last season for the Blizzard. "They will be gunning for me," Hemingway said. "It will be fun."

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