After the EHL College Series break the Huntsmen EHL Team was back in action. The EHL Team hosted the Philadelphia Little Flyers and Team Maryland. The Premier Team had two division battles on the road against the New Jersey Renegades, and the New Jersey 87s.

EHL Team vs Little Flyers

Less than four minutes into the game the Little Flyers jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Bartlett set up Ryan Arendes with about 6 minutes remaining in the period to cut the deficit in half 2-1.  The Little Flyers regained the two-goal lead in the 2nd period. Late in the period, Philadelphia scored two back breaking goals in the final minute and took a commanding 5-1 lead. The Little Flyers scored one more near the midway point of the 3rd to make it 6-1. Noah Smits added a goal for Pennsylvania late in the 3rd, but the game would end in a loss 6-2.

EHL Team vs Maryland

The Huntsmen struck right away as Noah Smiths gave them the 1-0 just :17 into the game. Hunter Hoffman made it 2-0 with a goal from the point. Both teams traded opportunities in the 2nd period, but Maryland scored with .2 seconds left in the period making it 2-1. In the 3rd, Maryland tied the game 2-2. Just a few minutes later, Maryland scored again taking a 3-2 lead. The Huntsmen pulled (G) Fennema late in the game for the extra attacker but would lose 3-2.

EHL Premier vs Renegades

Even Mostoller put the Huntsmen on the board in the 1st period with a goal from the point  for the 1-0 lead. Shortly after, Pennsylvania got into penalty trouble and the Renegades tied the game with a five on three power play goal 1-1. Luca Palachick and Darius Nichols scored back-to-back with less than two minutes remaining in the period to take a 3-1 lead. In the 2nd, it was New Jersey’s turn to respond, and they would score twice tying the game 3-3. In the 3rd, the back and forth continued as Jaeger Daniels scored and the Huntsmen were back in the lead 4-3. The Renegades fired back with two unanswered to put the pressure on the Huntsmen 5-4. With under 5 minutes to go, Nick Smith scored for Pennsylvania to tie the game 5-5. In overtime the Huntsmen took a penalty but were able to kill it off to keep the score tied. The Renegades outlasted the Huntsmen and won in the shoot-out, taking the game 6-5.

“We were playing well at times, but it wasn’t a full sixty-minute effort. We need to be more consistent and maintain our systems throughout the game.” Brady Matchett

Premier vs 87s

Charlie Allen scored the first goal of the game on the power play for the 1-0 lead. In the 2nd period the power play connected again, this time Devin Schaeffer and it was 2-0 PA. Nick Smith added to the lead quickly after and it was 3-0. The Huntsmen were shorthanded a couple minutes later and the 87s would get on the board with a power play goal making it 3-1. Silas Defibaugh answered for Pennsylvania as he scored with :2 left in the period to take the momentum away from New Jersey 4-1. The 87s scored again in the 3rd with about 8 minutes left but didn't get any closer. The 87s emptied the net in a last-ditch effort but Hunter Schirmer sealed the game with an empty netter for the 5-2 win.

“They're the defending champs, so it was a big win for the team, especially after a tough loss the night before. The message was to skate hard every shift and give it our all.” Matt Beatty

Up Next

               EHL Team

The Huntsmen have now lost 4 in a row, all to division rivals. They gained one point from the shoot-out loss to the 87s. The streak also includes a 2-1 loss to Philadelphia Hockey Club, a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Little Flyers, and a 3-2 loss to Team Maryland. It’s a quick turnaround as the team gets ready to take on the New Jersey Bears. The Bears are on a 3-game win streak and have won 4 of their last 5 games. The Bears are first in the South Division in their inaugural season taking over for the Protec Jr. Ducks.  This is the first meeting between the Bears and the Huntsmen.   

                              South Division Standings

                              NJ Bears              9-2         18pts

                              NJ 87s                  6-3-3     15pts

                              PA Huntsmen     7-5-1     15pts

                              Phila HC               6-6         12pts

                              Little Flyers         4-6-2     10pts

                              Maryland            3-5-2     8pts

               Premier Team

The Huntsmen are on the 3-game point streak heading into another matchup with the New Jersey 87s. This will be the fourth meeting of the year.  Pennsylvania lost the first two matchups 5-2, and 3-2, as meeting number four approaches.

               Mid-Atlantic Division

               Renegades          8-4         16pts

               NJ 87s                  6-6         12pts

               Huntsmen           5-5-1     11pts

               Little Flyers         4-6-2     10pts

               Thunder              1-9         2pts

               Chiefs                   1-10       2pts

Schedule

               EHL at New Jersey Bears Friday 7:15pm

               Premier vs NJ 87s                           Saturday 6:15pm

By: Joe Sindoni

Staff Writer

Play by Play Announcer