New captain nets game-tying goal in Express’ third straight victory on Owatonna

Express center Stephen Carew (19), wearing the captain’s ‘C’ for the first time this season, battles through a double team by Albert Lea players Jeff Lesmeister and Niko Kapetanovich (89) during the third period Friday.
Thom Caya/People's Press

OWATONNA — With two displays of individual skill and one excellent example of teamwork, the Owatonna Express scored three goals in four and a half minutes to get a come-from-behind victory over the Albert Lea Thunder on Saturday at the Four Seasons Centre.

Chris Darnell, Stephen Carew and Nick Carson all scored in the final 4:25 of the second period to put the Express up and Jason Horstman kept Albert Lea off the board in the third for the 3-2 win. The victory extended Owatonna’s unbeaten streak to six games, including three wins over the last-place Thunder (1-15-1, 3 points).

“That certainly isn’t the way we want to win games, coming from behind like that, but during a 58-game season, you’re going to win some games you probably don’t deserve to win,” Express coach Pat Cullen said. “We got some breaks and we found a way to win.”

Darnell got the Express on the board with 4 minutes, 34 seconds left in the second with an unassisted short-handed goal, his first tally of the season and Owatonna’s third shortie in two games. He stole the puck in the neutral zone and sniped a shot from the left side over goaltender Tom Lescovich’s left shoulder.

“That first goal by Chris really energized us,” Cullen said. “Albert Lea was playing very well and kind of had us back on our heels. That was a great individual effort by him and that really ignited a spark in us.”

Just 76 seconds after Darnell lit the lamp, Carew scored his team-leading 11th goal of the season on a rebound shot with an assist from Dmitry Lugin. Three minutes later, Carson scored with less than a second left in the period after he came out of the penalty box.

On the play, Carson jumped out of the box at the same time Owatonna (9-7-1, 19) was breaking out of the zone. Darnell hit Carson on the run at the blue line, and Carson beat Lescovich for his first goal of the year. Tim Smith also assisted on the goal, which was a power-play tally after the teams played four-on-four for 35 seconds.

“You certainly don’t draw it up like that, but it sure worked out tonight,” Cullen said with a smile.

The five-minute, three-goal stretch came as a big surprise after the Express seemed to lack energy for the first 35 minutes of the game. Owatonna failed on its first four power-play opportunities and fell behind by two goals for the first time since a 4-2 loss to North Iowa on Oct. 25.

“I think we came out underestimating them a little bit,” Carew said. “We have played them a lot lately and kind of had our way with them. We had a little bit of a chip on our shoulder, but they’re playing better and better every game.”

Carew was sporting a little extra uniform accessory on Friday night for the first time this season after getting voted team captain during the week. Carew wore the captain’s ‘C’ on his chest, while forward Tony McDonald and defenseman Troy Puente each had an ‘A’ on their chests.

“It really means a lot to me,” said Carew, who was also a captain at Benilde-St. Margaret’s in high school. “These guys expect me to step up and help out to push themselves. All that junk. Tonight was a great example.

“The last five minutes of the second period, Cullen just got on us and we went out and made some plays.”

Owatonna fell back out of rhythm in the third period and only managed three shots on goal and gave the Thunder three power plays. Fortunately, the penalty kill and Horstman were up the task. Horstman stopped nine shots in the third period and finished with 19 saves to pick up his fourth straight victory and improve to 4-1 on the season.

“Jason is playing very well right now,” Cullen said. “He’s seeing the puck well and we’re playing pretty good defense in front of him.”

The Express and Thunder will square off again at 7 p.m. tonight at the Four Seasons Centre.

Express 3, Thunder 2

Albert Lea 1 1 0 — 2

Owatonna 0 3 0 — 3

First period—1, AL, John Affolter (Ryan Johnson, Robbie Vannelli) 13:40. Penalites—Nick Carson, Owatonna (interference) 11:03; Mitch Torrel, Albert Lea (holding) 19:06.

Second period—2, AL, Jake Armijo (Dusan Kobela, Affolter) 7:10 (pp); 3, Owa, Chris Darnell, 15:26 (sh); 4, Owa, Stephen Carew (Dmitry Lugin) 16:42; 5, Owa, Carson (Chris Darnell, Tim Smith) 19:59 (pp). Penalties—Jake Sloat, Owatonna (hooking) 6:14; Vannelli, Albert Lea (slashing) 7:21; Niko Kapetanovic, Albert Lea (slashing) 10:00; Torrel, Albert Lea (holding) 12:45; Lugin, Owatonna (too many men bench minor) 14:11; Carson, Owatonna (tripping) 17:54; BJ McClellan, Albert Lea (hooking) 19:06.

Third period—none. Penalties—Smith, Owatonna (delay of game) 5:50; Affolter, Albert Lea (delay of game) 5:50; Zach Lewis, Albert Lea (roughing) 6:27; Carew, Owatonna (tripping) 6:29; Michael Palmiscno, Owatonna (delay of game) 7:52; Tommy Rabaczewski, Albert Lea (delay of game) 7:52; Smith, Owatonna (slashing) 9:41; Brian McGinty, Owatonna (holding) 13:54; Vannelli, Albert Lea (interference) 15:08; Troy Puente, Owatonna (hooking) 16:07; Nikita Feoktistov, Albert Lea (holding) 19:11.

Shots on goal—Albert Lea 7-5-9—21; Owatonna 9-15-3—27.

Power-play opportunities—Albert Lea 1 of 8; Owatonna 1 of 8.

Goalies—Albert Lea, Tom Lescovich (27 shots-24 saves); Owatonna, Jason Horstman (21-19).

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