Photo Credit: @paulspicsnj 

The regular season ended at the showcase across the EHL and EHL Premier. Both Huntsmen teams had three games. The Huntsmen had clinched playoff berths, but seeding was still up for grabs. The EHL Team faced the Bridgewater Bandits, Boston Dukes, and Seahawks Hockey Club. The Premier Team faced Connecticut Nor’Easter, Adirondack Jr. Thunder, and the New Hampshire Avalanche. All games were played in showcase format, 2-25 minute periods.

EHL vs Bandits

The Huntsmen started the game aggressive and had multiple scoring chances. Despite a good start the Bandits took a 1-0 lead.  The Huntsmen had two power plays but were unable to score. Bridgewater scored another early goal in the 2nd period. PA had another power play opportunity late in the game, but the Bandits goalie played solid all game. With the extra attacker on looking for a late push, the Bandits scored an empty net goal stunning the Huntsmen as Bridgewater won the game 3-0. The Huntsmen outshot the Bandits 31-18 but couldn’t get to the back of the net.

EHL vs Dukes

Just like the previous game, the Huntsmen trailed early. Pennsylvania hit the score sheet late in the 1st period. Damon Warren worked the puck into the offensive zone. John Manzi skated in and then fired top shelf tying the game 1-1 for his 11th of the year. In the 2nd period, the Huntsmen took the lead. Theo Lountzis (7) scored on the rush with a great feed from Trevor Rissor making it 2-1 (Aidan Hellyer secondary assist). The Huntsmen held off the Dukes and Ryan Murphy was solid, making 34 saves. The win, and Philadelphia HC loss to the Bandits, sealed the #3 seed for the Huntsmen in the South Division.

EHL vs Seahawks

Despite not having anything to play for, this was a big game because it was the toughest opponent the Huntsmen would face at the showcase. Early in the year, the Seahawks were down and out, but much like the Huntsmen they had a great second half push to make the playoffs. The Seahawks are locked into the #3 seed in the East Division. The game was about two similar teams looking to end their season in the win column.  The Seahawks had a power play. While breaking out of their zone, John Manzi (12) knocked the puck down and scored a shorthanded goal for the 1-0 lead. Devin Schaeffer followed up shortly after. Xavier Tremblay pressured the defense and got the puck to Schaeffer to score his 9th of the season. A few minutes later, Schaeffer returned the favor. Eddie Mirigliano led the rush into the offensive zone then slid the puck to Schaeffer. He found Tremblay in the slot scoring his 12th of the year and it was 3-0 Huntsmen. All three goals were scored in less than six minutes. Mirigliano (16) extended the lead to 4-0 early in the 2nd  period. The Seahawks were able to break through with a power play goal. Auge Cisar ended the scoring with his 6th goal of the year from Arendes and they won the game 5-1. Andrew Knox had a big day in goal with 30 saves.

Premier vs Nor’Easter

The Huntsmen struggled to get the offense going in this game. Connecticut scored first with a goal on the rush. The Huntsmen defense did well killing off two Nor’Easter power plays. Early in the 2nd, Connecticut took a 2-0 lead. The Huntsmen had a power play chance later in the game and Evan Mostoller ripped a shot for his 6th of the year making it 2-1. The Huntsmen continued to push, but the Nor’Easter hung on for the 2-1 win. Pierce had 32 saves in the loss.

Premier vs Adirondack

The Thunder jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st period. The Huntsmen had a great chance to score as Adirondack was given a major for boarding. PA had good chances but were unable to score on the power play. In the 2nd the Thunder scored again and went on to win 3-0. Bates made 21 saves in net for PA.

Premier vs Avalanche

Unfortunately, the theme of the weekend for the Huntsmen was scoring struggle. The Huntsmen had a power play, but New Hampshire scored a shorthanded goal taking a 1-0 lead. The Huntsmen went 0-2 on the power play in the period. The Avalanche kept the momentum in their favor, adding two more goals in the 2nd period. The Huntsmen failed to score again and lost 3-0. Strnad made 30 saves in net.

Up Next

               EHL

The Huntsmen will face the New Jersey 87s in the 1st round of the South Division Playoffs. We will get more into the matchup later in the week but here’s what Head Coach Eric Progen had to say about ending the season at the showcase. “We would’ve obviously liked to have gone 3-0 at the showcase and end our season on a five-game win streak but I was impressed with how we responded to the Dukes, and Seahawks after losing the first game. The Seahawks are a good team, so we knew it was going to be a playoff type game. To match their energy, play physical, and fast, were the focal points of the game and we executed that well.”

               Premier

The Huntsmen will face the New Jersey Renegades in the playoffs. Throughout the season, the Huntsmen were 3-4 against them winning the latest matchup 5-4 in mid-February. “We had some tough opponents (at the showcase) but at the end of the day we want to make sure that we are improving and getting better and preparing ourselves for playoffs,” says Progen. “The Renegades are a familiar opponent; we've played them plenty and we’ve had close games against them. It’s just a matter of little things and cleaning those things up and playing with more fluidity. We have a young group, and in the playoffs, you need to pay attention to all the details. All the little things are what goes into winning playoff games.”

Stayed tuned for a full Playoff Preview later this week

By: Joe Sindoni

Staff Writer

Play by Play Announcer