Photo Credit Bri Sotera 

 

Last weekend both Huntsmen teams had two games. The EHL Team hosted the New Jersey Bears in the middle of the week and then were on the road to face Philadelphia Hockey Club. The Premier Team hosted the Philadelphia Little Flyers and the New Jersey Renegades.

EHL vs Bears

The Bears wasted no time taking control of the game and less than four minutes in, New Jersey had a 2-0 lead. The Huntsmen had two power plays in the 1st but didn't score. The Bears added one more goal in the final minute for the 3-0 lead. New Jersey started off the 2nd period just like the 1st, once again they scored two goals in less than four minutes and were in total control at 5-0. The Huntsmen came out flat and never got the offense in sync. There was no scoring in the 3rd and the Huntsmen lost 5-0. Overall, the Bears dominated the season series winning 5-6 games.

EHL vs Philadelphia Hockey Club

This was the final head-to-head of the season vs PHC, and it was a crucial game for the Huntsmen. Pennsylvania is trying to catch PHC in the South Division Standings. The Huntsmen struck first late in the period as John Manzi made it 1-0. Philadelphia responded quickly tying the game to end the 1st period. Midway through the 2nd PHC took a 2-1 lead. Ryan Arendes got the Huntsmen even 2-2 with a wrister from the circle that went five hole. In the final minute of the period, Landon Cole sped into the offensive zone and beat the defense to the net and went top shelf giving the Huntsmen a 3-2 lead. In the 3rd a strong forecheck by Mason Henne led to Cole’s second goal of the game and it was 4-2. Charlie Allen added a late goal, and the Huntsmen won the game 5-2. Chapman picked up the win in net making 31 saves.

Premier vs Little Flyers

The Little Flyers scored the first goal of the game via the power play for the 1-0 lead. In the 2nd period the Huntsmen caught fire. Luca Palachick redirected a shot from Brock Burell tying the game 1-1. Just over a minute later, Aidan Parker jammed home a rebound opportunity giving PA the 2-1 lead. Just after that goal the Little Flyers took a penalty and the Huntsmen headed to the power play. Nick Smith converted for the Huntsmen with a beautiful shot to make it a 3-1 game. Anthony LoGiurato ended the period with a snipe to extend the lead to 4-1. In the 3rd period, the Little Flyers scored twice, one goal was on the power play, and all the sudden the momentum was shifting, and it was a 4-3 game. Philadelphia emptied the net, but Devin Schaeffer added the insurance goal for PA as they won 5-3. Jackson Gruttadauria picked up the win in goal making 27 saves.

Premier vs Renegades

The Renegades started off the scoring with a power play goal midway through the 1st period. About six minutes later, a bad turnover by the Huntsmen deep in their own zone led to a 2-0 lead for New Jersey. Late in the period, the Huntsmen responded with a power play goal from newcomer Cooper Ireland after solid puck movement by Boyle and Smith. In the 2nd period Luca Palachick scored just like he did on Friday night by redirecting a shot from Brock Burrell and the game was tied 2-2. Less than two minutes later Cooper Walling blocked a shot near the Huntsmen blue line and then sent a pass to Hunter Schirmer. Schirmer skated into the offensive zone and scored to take the lead 3-2. In the 3rd period Silas Defibaugh gave the Huntsmen some insurance with a goal on the rebound to extend the lead 4-2. The Renegades had a few more chances but the Huntsmen won the game and Beatty made 20 saves in the victory.

The Huntsmen have added some new players in the recent weeks before the deadline and it has been paying off. “I think they (Lunnie, Ireland, Mackeil) have been great additions to our team,” says Brock Burrell. “They all bring something to the table, Zander (Lunnie) and Cooper (Ireland) bring their junior experience with them. Everyone has some good speed, and they all bring good energy to the locker room.”

In his first game with the Huntsmen, Ireland scored a power play goal, certainly off to a good start. “I was teammates with Aidan (Boyle) in Florida before coming here,” says Ireland. “I was looking for an opportunity, so I contacted him and that’s how we got things started. Aidan (Boyle) set me up today with the pass right on the tape and it worked out perfectly. Everyone has been really welcoming and it’s been nothing but love so far. I want to be a two-hundred-foot player and work hard every shift and do anything I can to help the team.”

Zander Lunnie comes to the Huntsmen from the New Hampshire Avalanche. Lunnie has had a solid season so far in New Hampshire, tallying 22 goals and 13 assists and he's looking to finish the season strong with the Huntsmen. “I want to help on offense, I'm a threat in the offensive zone and a physical player,” says Lunnie. “It’s a fresh start, but everyone has been nice, I think it’s a well-run organization and I'm loving it so far and having a good time. I know we have some big games coming up next week, and I'm looking forward to it.”

Up Next

            EHL

 It’s a busy end to February for the Huntsmen with three games this week. They will host the Philadelphia Little Flyers, Team Maryland, and the New Jersey 87s. The Little Flyers are coming off a 7-2 win vs Philadelphia HC, and a 2-1 shootout loss to Maryland. The Huntsmen faced the Little Flyers three times in January and lost all three contests. Maryland after that shootout win vs the Little Flyers, lost 2-1 on the road to Philadelphia Hockey Club. The Huntsmen defeated Maryland 3-2 in a shootout last time they met. The 87s are on a 3-game losing streak falling to the Little Flyers, New York Applecore, and New Jersey Bears. The 87s will have 2 games during the week against the Bears and Maryland before facing the Huntsmen.

The Division remains tight approaching the final games of the season. The Huntsmen picked up a big win over PHC but still trail for the play-in spot for the playoffs.

South Division Standings

NJB GP 40   25-10-5   55pts

87s  GP  39  20-14-5  45pts

PLF  GP  41  21-17-3   45pts

TMD  GP  41  20-17-4  44pts

PHC  GP 42  17-21-4   38pts

*PAH  GP  40  16-21-3  35pts   

 

            Premier

The Huntsmen picked up a big four points with the wins against the Little Flyers and Renegades. This weekend is another crucial one. The Huntsmen will take on the Little Flyers again, and then the big game against the New Jersey 87s. The game against the 87s could decide the top seed of the Mid Atlantic Division. The 87s are on an 8-game winning streak heading into the final head-to-head against the Huntsmen. Overall, the Huntsmen are 4-2 vs New Jersey this year.

 

Mid Atlantic Division

*PAH  GP 36   28-7-1   57pts

87s  GP 36    26-10   52pts

NJR  GP 37   15-8-4   34pts

PLF  GP 35    11-18-6  28pts

CTC  GP  37  7-27-3  17pts

UJT  GP  35   7-26-2  16pts

 

Schedule

EHL vs Little Flyers  Tues. 11:30am

EHL vs Maryland  Wed.  11:30am

EHL vs 87s   Sat. 6pm

Premier vs Little Flyers  Fri. 8:35pm

Premier vs 87s   Sat. 8:35pm

 

By: Joe Sindoni

Staff Writer

Play by Play Announcer