Photo Credit: @paulspicsnj
After a tough series against the Little Flyers, the Huntsmen EHL Team had another key series against Philadelphia Hockey Club. The Premier Team faced the New Jersey Renegades and the Union Jr. Thunder.
EHL vs Philadelphia HC (Wed)
It was a rough start for the Huntsmen as they were called for a major penalty less than three minutes into the game. PHC scored a power play goal and then Pennsylvania killed off the rest of the major without giving up another. Special teams were the theme of the day. It was the Huntsmen’s turn on the power play and Eddie Mirigliano tied the game on a rebound chance with his 10th goal of the year. The Huntsmen took the lead on the power play with Enzo Giuliani’s 10th goal of the year. Trevor Rissor and John Manzi were credited with the assists, and it was 2-1 at the end of the period. In the 2nd period, precision passing from Arendes and Warren set up David Cook’s 14th of the year, it was another power play goal giving the Huntsmen a 3-1 lead. In the final seconds of the period Ryan Arendes netted a power play goal, his 21st, after a scramble in front of the net with Damon Warren and David Cook. It was another penalty filled period, and the Huntsmen had a 4-2 lead. In the 3rd period, the penalties continued. Cook scored a power play goal, his 2nd of the day and 15th of the year, and Damon Warren scored the 6th power play goal of the game for his 16th overall. Mirigliano scored his 11th and Devin Schaeffer his 5th and the Huntsmen defeated Philadelphia Hockey Club 8-3. Andrew Knox picked up the win in goal making 33 saves. Not the most conventional game, which had over 200 penalty minutes, but it was an important win for the Huntsmen
EHL at Philadelphia HC (Sat)
The Huntsmen scored first on David Cook’s 16th of the year. Eddie Mirigliano won an offensive zone faceoff and Cook went top shelf for the goal. In the 2nd period Trevor Rissor swiftly made a defender miss and then fooled the goalie as he powered his way to the net for his 2nd to make it a 2-0 lead. Arendes and Cazel credited with assists. Devin Schaeffer knocked down a PHC clearing attempt, fired a shot that was redirected by Arendes for his 22nd goal of the year to extend the lead 3-0. Less than a minute later, solid puck movement from Lountzis and Cook setup Mirigliano who went top shelf for his 12th of the year and just like that it was 4-0 Huntsmen. PA scored 3 goals in less than four minutes at the end of the 2nd period. Philadelphia scored near the midway point of the 3rd making it 4-1. They scored again in the final minute, but it wasn’t enough as the Huntsmen picked up another two points against PHC. Alex Illus made 29 saves in net for the win.
Premier at Renegades (Fri)
New Jersey got off to a good start and took a 1-0 lead in the opening minutes. The Huntsmen had two power play chances in the period but were unable to score. In the 2nd period James Mirigliano scored his 15th of the season on a rebound chance tying the game 1-1. Late in the 3rd period Mirigliano beat a defender on his way to the net and scored his second goal of the game (16) giving the Huntsmen a 2-1 lead with :35 left. The Huntsmen were able to hang on for the 2-1 victory. Holden Bates was solid in goal making 35 saves.
Premier vs Thunder (Sun)
Braden Kozlowski started the scoring for the Huntsmen with his 8th of the season giving the Huntsmen a 1-0 lead. Aidan Reedy and Dom DeStefano had the assists. Union responded with two late goals to claim the lead. In the 2nd, the Thunder scored again extending their lead 3-1. Less than two minutes later, Pennsylvania fired back. Anthony LoGiurato sent the puck to Luca Palachick at the point and he scored his 1st of the year, and it was a 3-2 game. The Thunder scored again, and the Huntsmen trailed 4-2. Pennsylvania had two power plays in the 3rd period but couldn’t get any closer and lost to the Thunder 4-2. Strnad had 32 saves in the loss.
Up Next
EHL
The Huntsmen end January with a big test, the New Jersey Bears. The Bears are in 1st in the South Division and 5th overall. They are 23-8-2 with 48 points. This will be the final two meetings of the regular season. The Huntsmen won the first head to head in the beginning of the year 5-4 in a shootout. Since then, the Bears have won four in a row vs PAH. In the December meetings there were two close games, the Bears won 3-2 and then a 4-3 win in overtime. The Huntsmen are currently 4th in the South with a record of 14-14-3 for 31 points, the Little Flyers are behind them by two points. The Bears head into this series on a 4-game win streak. Their streak includes a 5-4 win vs the 87s, 5-1 vs the Applecore, and a two game sweep of the Little Flyers 7-3 and 6-1.
Premier
The Huntsmen have two games this weekend. First, they will be across town to face the Philadelphia Little Flyers. Then they will return home for another matchup with the Union Jr. Thunder. Despite the Little Flyers struggling this season they have beaten the Huntsmen in 3-5 matchups this season. Philadelphia is last in the division with a 5-23 record. They are currently on a 3-game losing streak after a 6-3 loss to the New Jersey 87s, and 5-2, and 11-2 losses to the New Jersey Bears. Then it’s another matchup against the Thunder. Union is 3rd in the South at 14-12-2 with 30 points. The Thunder will take on the Bears before seeing the Huntsmen. Pennsylvania is 5th in the division at 11-17-1 with 23 points, two points behind the Renegades.
** David Cook earned league honors Star of the Week in the South Division for his 3G 3A performance in the two games against Philadelphia Hockey Club.
Schedule
EHL vs Bears (Wed) 11:30am
EHL at Bears (Fri) 12pm
Premier at Little Flyers (Sat) 7pm
Premier vs Thunder (Sun) 1:15pm
By: Joe Sindoni
Staff Writer
Play by Play Announcer
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