The Huntsmen only played one game last weekend. They were on home ice to take on division rival, the Union Jr. Thunder. It was the third meeting between the teams and the Huntsmen won the first two matchups. PA was looking to extend their five-game win streak.

Saturday vs Thunder

The Huntsmen started the game buzzing. Watson and Daniels worked a turnover inside the Thunder zone. Daniels threw a pass to Watson net front; his shot was saved by (G) Kline, but Luca Palachick was there for the rebound and the 1-0 lead. About two minutes later, Gilmore battled for the puck in the corner. He sent a shot from the corner, Kratz tipped it on goal and Ryan Arendes was there for the rebound making it 2-0. The Huntsmen ended the period leading 3-0 after Chow sent a nice feed from behind the net to Chase Conestra adding to the lead. Early in the 2nd each team was called for penalties and 4 on 4 hockey was the result. The Huntsmen won the offensive zone faceoff back to the point. Carpenter sent the puck down low to Arendes near the corner. Arendes centered the puck to a wide-open Ben Watson increasing the lead 4-0. The Huntsmen kept the pressure up and :37 later Hunter Irrera finished off his chance after help from Arendes and Watson and it was 5-0. The Thunder would respond after the midway point on a redirected shot that would beat (G) Jones making it 5-1. Union would score one more time in the 3rd but the Huntsmen would win easily 5-2 as Jones made 30 saves in the win.

“We played pretty solid and came out flying in the first period. We were working hard in the corners, working pucks, and communicating well. We let our foot off the gas pedal thinking we had it in the bag, and they started creeping back a little bit, but overall, we played well.” Arendes

Up Next

It’s a big weekend coming up for the entire EHL Premier. The second showcase of the year is coming up and will be at the Valley Forum Sports Arena in Massachusetts. The Huntsmen will face the New Hampshire Avalanche, Seahawks Hockey Club, and the Valley Jr. Warriors. The Avalanche are in 2nd place in the New England Division 9-6-1 and they are 2-4 in their last 6 games. The Seahawks are 3rd in the Boston Division at 7-7-1 and are 3-3 last 6 games. The Warriors are 6-6-3 in 4th place in the Boston Division and are 2-3-1 in their last 6 games.

“We have to go 100% the whole game, if we do that and battle for pucks, use strong communication and have positive energy, we can have a great weekend.” Arendes

“We want to be on their level and compete with them. We want to be known in this league as a good team. We have to come focused and ready to go this week, and find what we got away with because of our skill and find areas of the game that we are good at.” HC Kilroy

Schedule

NH Avalanche             5pm

Seahawks HC               4pm

Valley Jr. Warriors      9am  (Paul T. Gilmartin Memorial Arena)

**All games Showcase format 2-25s

By: Joe Sindoni

Play by Play Announcer

Staff Writer