Hitmen thwart Pirates in weekend sweep
Jersey heads into holiday break on top of EJHL southern division
December 26, 2008
 
Wayne, NJ - This past weekend the Hitmen had a two game exhibition set against the Portland Pirates of the AJHL. Because of wintery conditions and weekend cancellations, the Hitmen were able to schedule the Pirates for a rear cross league, mid-season series against the AJHL perennial power prior to the Holiday break. The Hitmen staff used the exhibition to keep the team active prior to the 12 day impending holiday break, especially with the teams recent cancellations and wash out at the Jr Huskies Classic.
 
On Saturday, behind an 18 save effort from PJ Musico and a 11 point performance from the Czepiel, Langlois, Cantor line, the Hitmen beat the Portland Pirates handily, 7-2. They then came back on Sunday to complete the weekend sweep, 6-2. Heading into the Christmas break, the Hitmen sit perched atop the EJHL southern conference with a 19-3-3 record, extendeding their season record to 28-3-3 remaining undefeated outside the EJHL with a perfect 9-0-0 non-league record.
 
"I thought this would be a great chance to get guys, mid-season, into different game situations," commented coach Toby Harris. "You hardly ever get a chance 30 games into the year to audition players in new spots, on new lines, or in new positions in a high tempo game atmosphere, and we were able to do that in this setting. On top of that it fit perfectly into our plans with the recent cancellations to have the boys play prior to their two week break. I was happy with what I saw, happy with the boys effort, and look forward to the second half of the season as we make a push to defend the EJHL title."
 
The Hitmen report back to New Jersey on January 1 to prepare for a weekend set in Troy, NY against the Capital District Selects.