Express Win Series

DALLAS SNIPERS @ SPRINGFIELD EXPRESS

02.10.17 – Springfield 9, Dallas 6

02.11.17 – Springfield 13, Dallas 5

02.12.17 – Springfield 7, Dallas 5

With a three-game sweep of the Dallas Snipers, the Springfield Express moved to within five points of second place in the Mid-Western Division and the first-round bye that goes with a top-two finish.

Friday’s series opener was a long night for both goaltenders with 15 goals scored, but Springfield’s Bailey Stephens (26 saves) picked up a 9-6 win over Alexander Moustakis of Dallas (46 saves).

Nikita Salnikov (3-1-4) scored a pure hat trick for Springfield, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 Express lead.  They would score three more to go up, 7-2, and up the game out of reach.  Anatoly Uspenyev assisted on Salnikov’s first two goals, and ended the night with four helpers.

Peter Kutlak (2-4-6) figured in all six Dallas goals and Michael Tugo (3-2-5) notched a hat trick for the Snipers.  Alexander Yunanov (1-4-5) also had a five-point game for Dallas.

Gael Lubwele’s four-goal game led the way in Springfield’s 13-5 win on Saturday.  Hunter Lovdokken (1-4-5), Michael Crawford and Jack Nevicosi all had four assists for the Express.  Mike Sauer (2-3-5) and Tyson Klingspohn (2-2-4) had two goals each.

Kutlak scored two more goals for the Snipers.

Sunday’s series finale was the closest game of the weekend.  The game was tied, 3-3, late in the first period but Filip Jansson gave Springfield a 4-3 lead before the first intermission and they led the rest of the way in a 7-5 win.

Kutlak had four more points – a goal and three assists – and Crawford and Sauer had the same 1-3-4 line for the Express.  They were two of seven different players to score goals for Springfield.