Eagles shut down Express
Espanola Express is closed for the season. Visiting Soo Eagles edged the Express 2-1 on Friday to take the best-of-three, preliminary-round, Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League playoff series in two straight games.
With the victory, the no. 4 seed Eagles advance to the West Division semi-finals against the no. 1 seed Rayside Balfour Canadians.
Workhorse goalie Shane Brancato made 31 saves to lift the Eagles to the series-ending win.
George Orfanos and Dominic Skrelja scored for the Eagles and Josh Boucher replied for the Express in front of a hometown crowd of more than 400 at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex.