The Huntsmen have been on a roll the last few weeks. PA won a season high six games in a row. Last weekend the team headed north to Massachusetts for the Showcase. It was a busy weekend, three games in three days against the New Hampshire Avalanche, Seahawks Hockey Club, and the Valley Jr. Warriors. (All games were Showcase Format, 2-25 minute halves)

Friday vs Avalanche

Ryan Arendes kicked off the scoring by splitting through the defense and beating (G) Redding for the 1-0 lead. The Avalanche would respond immediately on a rebound chance left by (G) Jones tying the game :20 later. About 3 minutes later, Arendes would thread the needle from deep in his own zone and hit Ben Watson in stride at center ice. Watson raced into New Hampshire territory, fought off a defender on his back and would score giving PA a 2-1 lead. The Avalanche would answer again, this time winning an offensive zone faceoff and a shot right off the draw would tie the game 2-2 just over a minute remaining in the period. In the 2nd, the Huntsmen continued to battle but the Avalanche would be too much to handle. New Hampshire would score three times in the period to put the game away. The Huntsmen didn't make it easy on themselves being called for three minor penalties and one major penalty near the end of the game that really hurt the comeback efforts. PA killed off the minor penalties and was still in striking distance down 4-2. The major penalty really killed the momentum for Pennsylvania, the Avs would score a PPG and win 5-2.

Saturday vs Seahawks

It was another good start for the Huntsmen. The power play unit was on early, and Reece Gilmore would send the rebound past (G) Burch for the 1-0 lead. The lead didn't last long as the Seahawks would tie the game about :30 later. PA would retake the lead with just over six minutes remaining in the 1st. Debro skated into Seahawks territory and fired a pass to Landon German streaking to the net to make it 2-1. Early in the 2nd, the Seahawks would cash in on a rebound chance beating (G) Baradgie tying the game 2-2. Ben Watson would answer for PA with a shot on the short side and it snuck through giving the Huntsmen a 3-2 lead. Late in the game, the Seahawks were shorthanded, and it would setup a dream situation for the Huntsmen looking to end the game. It turned to a nightmare, PA turned the puck over in the offensive zone leading to a breakaway and the Seahawks tied the game 3-3 just over 2 minutes remaining with an SHG. In overtime, both teams traded solid chances, but no one would score so the game was to be decided in a shootout. No shooters for Pennsylvania would score and the Seahawks would score once, giving them the 4-3 victory.

Sunday vs Warriors

Unlike the first two games of the Showcase, it started ugly for the Huntsmen. The Warriors would score three times in the first period. In the 2nd Gavin Wilson would put the Huntsmen on the board with a heavy wrist shot on the rush to make it a 3-1 game. On the next shift, PA would continue to keep the momentum in their favor. There was heavy traffic in front of the Warriors net. (G) Beaulieu made a pair of saves on Diukin, and Arendes, but the third try by Ben Watson would meet the back of the net and all the sudden it was a 3-2 game. Pennsylvania would get into penalty trouble and the Warriors would make them pay with a PPG on a quick shot to beat (G) Jones and it was 4-2. Then, Valley would find themselves shorthanded and the Huntsmen would return the favor as Ryan Arendes makes it a one goal game again a 4-3. The Warriors would hold off the Huntsmen after numerous chances and the comeback would fall short in a 4-3 loss.

Next Up

After three games in three days, this weekend the Huntsmen return to Exton for only one game. However, it is a big game as PA takes on the New Jersey 87s. The 87s are second in the Mid Atlantic Division (11-2-3  25pts) behind the Huntsmen (12-5-2  26pts). The last head-to-head was in NJ on Oct. 23rd and Daniil Diukin was the hero in overtime of a 3-2 win. The 87s were not at the Showcase in Massachusetts but were in action with the New Jersey Renegades in a home and home series. The 87s dominated the Renegades winning 8-1 and 5-0. The 87s have great depth on their roster. Ten players have ten points or more, making them dangerous in multiple ways. They are led by Ivan Borisov 11G 8A, Logan Berhje 11G 5A, and Ethan Paligo 6G 9A. Since the loss to PA in October, the 87s are 5-0. New Jersey will hit the road on Saturday for a matchup with the Connecticut Chiefs, then head to Exton to take on the Huntsmen.

Schedule

Sunday vs New Jersey 87s      1:15pm

By Joe Sindoni

Play by Play Announcer

Staff Writer