LOCKPORT, NY— The Lockport Express Junior “A” Hockey Team will host their first-ever playoff series against the Wilkes-Barre Miners March 6-8 at the new Cornerstone CFCU Ice Arena in Lockport. The best-of-three elimination series includes games Friday at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. (if necessary). Admission for each game is $5 for adults and free for children under 12.
The Express, in their inaugural season, posted an impressive 24-13-2 record, good enough for second place in the Western Division of the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League. The Express handed the league-leading Jersey Shore Wildcats their only loss of the season and continue to lead the league in attendance.
“This has been a tremendous kickoff season for the Express,” according to Head Coach Frank Vecchio. “Our boys came together as a team and the hometown fans have given us the boost we needed to win in a very competitive league.”
Vecchio said as a thank you to the entire region for supporting the Lockport Express and the new Cornerstone CFCO Ice Arena, the team will be hosting pre- and post-game parties at Lock 34 on Main Street in Lockport as follows:
- Friday, March 6: 4-7 p.m.; then again immediately following the game
- Saturday, March 7: 2-6 p.m., with live music from Darrell Porter at 3 p.m.; then again immediately following the game.
- Drink specials available to everyone who brings a game ticket to the pre- and post-game parties.
“This is going to be a very competitive series with Wilkes-Barre. They’ve been right on our heels all season long, so I’m expecting a tough matchup,” Vecchio stated. “Fans will once again be treated to first-class hockey in a great rink setting.”
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The Express has brought much-needed entertainment and excitement to downtown Lockport, and no game was bigger than the one January 31st when Express player Dillon Hayes scored a hattrick on the day his father passed away, including the winning goal in a shootout.
“In all my years of coaching and playing, I have never seen anything like that game. And it just proves how transformative hockey can be for both players and fans,” Vecchio said. “This team has cemented itself in the Lockport community as a result and I really hope everyone will come out for the playoff weekend. I guarantee you will have a great time.”
