Northwest Express tops Isanti Outlaws 7-1 in first home game

SPOONER – The home opener for the Northwest Express was a huge success as Spooner’s new Junior USPHL - Premier League hockey team hosted the Isanti Outlaws at the Spooner Civic Center.

A nice crowd of 250 at the Civic Center was on hand to watch the Express derail the Outlaws 7-1 to record the big victory in their first game on home ice on Saturday, Sept. 21.

The Express recorded 56 shots on goal to 19 for Isanti in the victory.

In the first period, the Express took a 2-0 lead. They added 5 big goals in the second period to take control of the game. Isanti got 1 goal in the third period, making the final 7-1.

Scoring in the first period was started by Derek McGraw at 8:14, assisted by Eli Underhill and Jaden Aguilera. At 16:44 of period one, Nicholas Skiada scored to make it 2-0, assisted by Otis Berge and Connor Corcoran.

In the second period, the Express went up 3-0 on a goal at 2:31 by Dylan Wolf, assisted by Preston Winkler and Jacob Alexander. At 11:05 of period two, Evan Burchardt scored, assisted by Alexander and Winkler, making it 4-0.

The Express kept up the pressure. At 12:08, Aguilera scored, assisted by Connor Corcoran and McGraw. At 17:00 of the second, Berge scored, with an assist from Skiada. Closing out the Express scoring at 19:03 of the third was Corcoran, assisted by Bradyn Strachora.

In goal for the Northwest Express, Ryan Freshwater played 60 minutes, saving 18/19 to record the win.

It was nice revenge for head coach Nic Leibold and the Express on Saturday after suffering a season-opening 6-3 loss to the Outlaws at the Isanti Ice Arena.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Express will be back on the home ice of the Spooner Civic Center as they host the Hudson Havoc. The first puck will drop at 7:05 p.m.