In the Play-In Round of the EHL Premier Playoffs the Huntsmen faced a familiar foe, the New Jersey Renegades. This is the third year in a row they battled in the playoffs. After many close games against each other in the regular season, the playoffs proved to be no different.

Game 1

The Huntsmen opened the scoring less than five minutes into the game. Kozlowski started the play in the neutral zone and sent the puck to Batista. He slid the puck to the slot for Mirigliano and then Mirigliano went back to Kozlowski at the far post for the goal. New Jersey tied the game a few minutes later. Just over five minutes into the 2nd, the Renegades took the lead. Mirigliano responded :47 later tying the game 2-2. After he won an offensive zone faceoff, Starr took a shot from the point. The shot was blocked but Jan Bach got the puck to Mirigliano in front and he fired it home to tie the game. That line of Kozlowski-Mirigliano-Batista dominated all night, and they took the spotlight again while taking the lead. Batista led the rush into the offensive zone and found the seam to Kozlowski on the near side. It created a 2-on-1 and Kozlowski sent the puck to Mirigliano in the slot and he scored his second of the night giving the Huntsmen a 3-2 lead with just under 3 minutes left to play. The Renegades pulled the goalie for the extra attacker and the pressure led the Huntsmen to take a penalty. New Jersey had a 6-on-4 advantage in the final minute. The Huntsmen penalty kill and (G) Victor Strnad were strong in the d-zone and kept the Renegades off the board to win 3-2. Strnad had 38 saves in the win.

Game 2

The Renegades hosted game two the next day, so it was a quick turnaround for both teams. The 1st period moved quickly; each team traded scoring chances but the game remained scoreless. The Renegades scored early in the 2nd as the shot from the point was deflected in front for the 1-0 lead. Shortly after the midway point, the Huntsmen had a power play. Shane Hill was at the blue line and he sent the puck to Mirigliano. He walked into the circle and sent a missile to the back of the net tying the game 1-1. In the 3rd period the Huntsmen power play kept rolling. At the point, Heintz went across to Palachick. Palachick took a couple steps and fired a quick shot that Zelko deflected home for the 2-1 lead. New Jersey had a power play a few minutes later and once again the penalty kill was solid. Late in the game, the Renegades pulled the goalie with their season on the line. Palachick got control of the puck and was deep in his own zone. He took aim on the empty net and connected taking a 3-1 lead. The Renegades emptied the net again and Batista scored an empty netter, and the Huntsmen completed the sweep against the Renegades with a 4-1 win. Strnad made 28 saves in goal for the win.

Up Next

The other Play-In Series is in Game 3 today between the Philadelphia Little Flyers and the Union Jr. Thunder. Pending the outcome of that series, the Huntsmen will face the New Jersey Bears, or the New Jersey 87s. Another playoff preview will be coming your way later this week, stay tuned

** The EHL Team starts their series this week against the New Jersey 87s. Game 1 is in NJ on Tuesday 12:30pm, the Huntsmen host Game 2 Thursday at 3:05pm. If necessary, Game 3 will be back in New Jersey on Friday 1:30pm.

By: Joe Sindoni

Staff Writer

Play by Play Announcer