Lockport Express players practiced in the still-being-completed Cornerstone CFCU Arena Tuesday night. The team will play its home games at the arena beginning Oct. 18. (PHOTOS BY HEATHER N. GRIMMER / ENP PHOTOGRAPHER)

ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

---

The team got to test out the ice for the first time Tuesday night.

Lockport's Junior A hockey team, the Lockport Express, practiced at Cornerstone CFCU Arena for the first time Tuesday night. And the team's coach says they're excited about it.

GM/Coach Frank Vecchio said "The arena is really starting to take shape and will be a top notch facility once fully completed."

As the arena's anchor team, the Express have their own locker room, which Vecchio said they
will be working to furnish over the next week, "building individual player stalls, installing our TV, and decorating the room per our team mission."

"The guys are really excited to finally be 'home,' " Vecchio added.

The Express hopes to put many goals on the scoreboard on the north rink, which has the team logo emblazoned in the ice.

They can't get too comfortable, however, because the team is on a road trip this weekend to Morrisville College, where they will play the Cape Cod Islanders Saturday morning, followed by the Maine Wild at 5 p.m. Sunday, they will face off against the New England All Stars at 9:30 a.m.

The reason for the virtual double header Saturday is to make up for a lost home game earlier in the season against Cape Cod. The Express will be considered the home team for the 11 a.m. matchup. It will, however, be their last home-away-from-home game of the season, as they will face off against the Roc City Royals on Oct. 18 at Cornerstone Arena.

Of the road trip, Vecchio said, "we are looking forward to playing some teams from our Eastern Division, which appears to be very strong and our guys welcome the new challenge. Getting on our team bus and spending a few days away together will be a good team bonding experience for us."

The Express is 3-3 after six regular season games, despite the lack of true home ice advantage so far this season.

There's more photos from Tuesday night's Express practice here.

---

Get the daily East Niagara Post email update.
Send an email to news@eastniagarapost.com with "email update" in the subject line.