February 24, 2009
Wayne, NJ - Completing the regular season with a Southern Division title would make most teams ecstatic, but the goals are bigger for the Jersey Hitmen. Fresh off a 2008 EJHL Gary Dineen cup playoff championship the Hitmen are hungry to duplicate that feat in '09. This weekend the Hitmen will face off against the NE Jr. Huskies in the first round of the EJHL playoffs with a one track mind, repeat!
Before the hard hitting action of Saturday night, it is time to rehash what the 2008-2009 Jersey Hitmen accomplished in the regular season. Hitmen fans had a lot to cheer for this regular season, both as a team and individually.
As a team, the Hitmen eclipsed last seasons overall point total and raised it from 68 points in 08 to 72 points in 09. They also elevated their wins total from 30 to 34. In 2008 the Hitmen had some very impressive team numbers scoring 176 goals and allowing 126 goals for a +50 ratio, but this season was something special. In 2009 the Hitmen lead the league in team goals for scoring an amazing 236 goals, which was 17 goals better than the next competitor, while only letting up a miniscule 98 goals, also tops in the league, for an astounding +138. The Hitmen also lead the league in powerplay goals with 97 and powerplay percentage with a towering 34.40%. To put that number in perspective, the next closest EJHL team scored 60 powerplay goals and a 24.26%. The Hitmen were second in the league with a 85.47% on the penalty kill, but only allowed 26 opposing powerplay goals which was #1 in the league.
Individually, the Hitmen had some big time scorers with 6 of their players in the top 23 in league scoring. Topping the list was EJHL scoring champ Jeremy Langlois who finished the year with a 35-47-82 line in 45 games. He was followed closely by line mate Kevin Czepiel who finished 2nd in EJHL regular season scoring with a 18-58-76 line. Czepiel's 58 assists were tops in the EJHL in that category. Also tops in their respective category was Ansel Ivens-Anderson who scored 14 powerplay goals which was 3 more than any other player in the league. Defensively, the Hitmen also put up some numbers as veterans Colin Trachsel and Nick Grasso both notched 29 points, good for 5th on the EJHL defensive scoring page. In goal, Jon Morrow lead the EJHL in wins with 24 and PJ Musico lead the EJHL in goals against average posting a 1.95 GAA in 14 games played.
Please keep posted to the Hitmen and their quest to protect the Gary Dineen cup at www.easternjunior.com