Photo Credit: Bri Sotera 

It was a busy week for the Huntsmen. The EHL Team had three games at home against the Philadelphia Little Flyers, Team Maryland, and the New Jersey 87s. The Premier Team hosted the Little Flyers and the 87s.

EHL vs Little Flyers (Tues)

After a scoreless 1st period the Little Flyers scored early in the 2nd for the 1-0 lead. The Huntsmen committed a penalty and Philadelphia scored a power play goal taking a 2-0 lead three minutes into the period. In the final minute Lunnie and Warren started a beautiful setup for John Manzi to cut the deficit in half 2-1. In the 3rd period Aidan Hellyer scored from the slot tying the game 2-2. The momentum for the Huntsmen didn't last long, about five minutes later the Little Flyers regained the lead 3-2. Pennsylvania emptied the net late in the game, but the Little Flyers came away with the win.

EHL vs Maryland (Wed)

Just like the day before, there was no scoring in the opening period. In the 2nd period, Maryland started the scoring with a power play goal. The Huntsmen had three power plays in the 2nd period but weren’t able to capitalize. In the 3rd Maryland added another power play goal extending the lead to 2-0. The Huntsmen emptied the net, but Maryland would score an empty net goal and the Huntsmen lost 3-0.

EHL vs 87s (Sat)

The offense continued to struggle against New Jersey. The 87s carried a 1-0 lead into the 3rd period. Midway through the 3rd, the 87s scored again to go up 2-0. Huntsmen pulled the goalie for the extra attacker but couldn’t catch a break on offense and New Jersey scored an empty netter to win 3-0.

Premier vs Little Flyers

The Huntsmen dominated this game from opening puck drop. Zander Lunnie and Brock Burrell scored power play goals, and Brody Ford made it 3-0. The Little Flyers scored a late PPG to end the 1st . In the 2nd period, the Huntsmen put the game out of reach. Nichols, Boyle, Lunnie, SHG Reis, Fallon, and Ireland all scored, and it was 9-1 Pennsylvania. In the 3rd, Smith, Mackeil and Fallon added to the scoresheet and the Huntsmen dominated 12-1.

Premier vs 87s

This was the big game that both teams were looking forward to. The 87s and Huntsmen haven’t gone head-to-head since early December. Nick Smith put the Huntsmen on the board with a great setup by Ireland and Nichols in the 1st  period. Late in the period Reis stole the puck and Silas Defibaugh did the rest to give the Huntsmen a 2-0 lead. The 87s quickly answered to cut the lead in half 2-1. Each team had a power play chance but there was no scoring in the 2nd period. In the 3rd, the 87s scored twice taking a 3-2 lead. The Huntsmen emptied the net late, but New Jersey scored again to win the game 4-2.

Up Next

            EHL

Now it all comes down to the showcase, the final three games of the season. The Huntsmen are  last with 35pts and trail Philadelphia Hockey Club (38pts) for the 5th seed in the South Division. The 4th and 5th seed will face off in a “Play In” game and whichever team wins, is the official 4-seed and will play the 1-seed in the first round of the playoffs.

At the Showcase, Philadelphia Hockey Club will face 3 opponents from the East Division:

• East Coast Wizards 28-9-6,  62 points 2nd  in the East
• Bridgewater Bandits 10-30-3,  23 points 6th  in the East
• Express Hockey Club 31-9-2,  64 points 1st in the East

The Huntsmen face:

• New England Wolves 18-19-6,  42 points 3rd in North
• Boston Jr. Rangers 29-12-1,  59 points 3rd in East
• New York Apple Core 33-9-1,  67 points 2nd in Central

            Premier

The #1 seed in the Mid Atlantic Division is up for grabs for the Huntsmen and 87s. Both teams have 4 games at the Showcase. The 87s and Chiefs had a game that was cancelled earlier this this season, and it will not be made up. That means the Division will be decided by Points Percentage because the Huntsmen will play 42 total games, to the 87s 41. The Huntsmen must maintain a minimum of a 2-point lead by the end of the showcase to win the Points Percentage and secure the Mid Atlantic Division #1 seed.

New Jersey 87s  Showcase Schedule will be:

• New England Wolves 17-18-3,  37 points 2nd New England Division
• Seahawks Hockey Club 18-16-4,  40 points 5th Boston Division
• Valley Jr. Warriors 24-9-4,  52 points 4th Boston
• Boston Jr. Rangers 28-7-3,  59 points 2nd Boston

The Huntsmen will face:

Vermont Lumberjacks 13-22-4,  30 points 4th New England

 Express Hockey Club 25-10-3,  53 points 3rd Boston

Adirondack Jr. Thunder 27-6-6,  60 points 1st  New England Division

Railers Hockey Club 36-3,  72 points (Reg. Season Champs)  1st Boston

Schedule

Showcase weekend all games 2-25 minute periods

All games at Ice Works in Aston, PA

EHL vs Wolves Sat. Mar. 2nd 10:30am

EHL vs Rangers Sun. Mar. 3rd 4:30pm

EHL vs Applecore Mon. Mar. 4th  6pm

Premier vs Lumberjacks Sat.  6pm

Premier vs Express HC Sun.  10am

Premier vs ADK Thunder Sun.  6pm

Premier vs Railers HC Mon.  8:30am

By Joe Sindoni

Staff Writer

Play by Play Announcer