Jersey splits with Syracuse at Vault
Wayne, NJ - For the first time in two years the Jersey Hitmen chartered into new lands, a home loss. After winning 15 consecutive games this season, building off 17 consecutive last year, the 32 game home unbeaten streak finally comes to an end. In a 2-1 loss on Saturday, at the hands of the Syracuse Stars, the EJHL's longest home winning streak is now one for the record books. After the game we were able to catch up with Hitmen head coach Toby Harris for his thoughts on the game and the end of the streak.
"This a feeling that I have yet to have as a head coach here with the Hitmen. It is disappointing, but I guess all good things and steaks must come to an end at one time or another." Harris went on to say, "I saw this coming weeks ago. We were not very crisp at home against the Kings or the Huskies, however we were able to come out on top because of solid goaltending and timely scoring. Today we had the goaltending, but were 0 for 7 on the powerplay. I stressed to the boys attention to detail in every part of our game, but today we did not have it. I tip my hat to Syracuse, now we have to get up, dust ourselves off, and start a new streak of our own."
The new streak began on Sunday as the Hitmen hit the ice energized, refocused and looking for redemption. However, they we without the services of assistant captain and EJHL top scorer, Kevin Czepiel, who suffered a lower body injury in Saturday's game, but this did not deter the hungry Hitmen as just 2:22 into the first, Andrew Kurlandski continued his torrid scoring pace recording his 4th goal in 3 games, putting the Hitmen up 1-0 and they would not look back outshooting the Stars 50-25 en route to a 7-0 victory. The win solidified the Hitmen's hold on the EJHL top spot and notched another record in the Hitmen record books as in the win, Jon Morrow recorded a shut-out and both Andrew Kurlandski and Jeremy Langlois recorded hat tricks. It was the first time in Hitmen history that this feat took place. After the post game speech, we were able to once again speak with coach Harris on the win.
"It was nice to see the boys back to playing Hitmen hockey, with an edge. I thought Jonny really played well today, and Kurlandski was once again excellent, catching fire at the right time of the season." Harris continued, "the boys did all the little things today to be successful, and we got another Herculean effort out of Jeremy Langlois as he figured in 4 of the 7 goals. Although you never like to lose, I think yesterday snapped us back into reality and I look to build on that humility down the home stretch."
The Hitmen now embark on a very taxing stretch as they are set to play 13 games in the final 24 days of the season. This journey begins on Wednesday as the Hitmen face off against Apple Core at 5:30pm at the Ice Vault in Wayne, NJ.