Hitmen Defuse Rockets
U-19’s take spirited contest from in-state rival
10-08-2008

            The Jersey Hitmen of the EJHL and the New Jersey Rockets of the AJHL have become quite intense rivals over the past two seasons. The Hitmen have taken the all three meetings in the battle for New Jersey supremacy. The inaugural meeting saw the Hitmen pull out a 3-2 victory at last seasons Hitmen Showcase followed by a 9-2 pounding at last year’s USA Hockey National Championships. This season the rivalry renewed with a 6-3 victory at the Hitmen Showcase, a game that at time had a “Friday night Fights” feel to it. That emotion carried over to the younger teams this past weekend at the Ice Vault. Saturday saw the first meeting between the Rockets Jr. B and the Hitmen U-19’s. The Hitmen looked to further establish their program as the top in the state, while the Rockets tried to avenge the loss suffered earlier in the season by the big club.
            From the drop of the puck intensity ruled the day. After a hard hitting first ten minutes Nick Lotito got the Hitmen on the board first when he pounded home a rebound of a Craig Wyszormiski point shot. As the physical play continued Wyszomirski was whistled for a rough at 6:41 of the first. The penalty would prove costly as the Rockets evened the score on a backdoor goal with just 7 seconds remaining in the penalty. The Hitmen would not stay down for long however. Just over a minute later Kenny Pilanski would put the Hitmen back on top off a feed from Steve Drizis. Although the scoreboard read only 2-1 at the end of the first the Hitmen were dominant going into the locker room with the lead at a 25-7 advantage in shots.
            The second period saw a shift in momentum as the Rockets came out and took the play to the U-19’s, scoring two more power play goals. The first goal came just over 5 minutes into the period as the Rockets displayed relentless puck pursuit on the man advantage. The Rockets would continue to use their physical, aggressive style of play to their advantage throwing the Hitmen off their game and drawing the U-19’s into 10 matching penalties and 4 power play chances over the course of the period. The Rockets would take the lead for the first time on their third power play goal just over 11 minutes into the period. With momentum in the favor of the Rockets goaltender Matt Braun stood strong in net for the U-19’s making several key saves in the second stanza.
            Needing to get something going Nick Lotito again took center stage at the 5:50 mark of the period, engaging in a scrap with Rocket forward Connor McStravick that lasted well over a minute. Not only did Lotito got the better of McStravick, but gave his team the shot of life they needed. Despite going into intermission down a goal the Hitmen were ready to take the game over.
            While controlling much of the early play in the third the Hitmen could not draw even until the 12:50 mark when a Mark Powell re-directed a Jay Quinn outlet pass onto the tape of a streaking Chris Tamminga who make a beautiful forehand to backhand move and buried the puck over the outstretched blocker of Rocket goaltender Dylan Troiano. Tamminga would then put the U-19’s on top for good less than two minutes later while driving towards the Rocket goal and tipping an Ali Thomas centering pass into the top corner. The U-19’s would continue to control the tempo and would add their 5th and final blow of the game when Powell would find a wide open Pilanski in front of the Rocket net for his second goal of the day. Braun would pick up the victory in net providing a 25 save effort.
            The Hitmen will take their 8-4 mark to Hooksett, NH this weekend where the boys will participate in the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs Showcase. They are scheduled to face off against Boston Advantage (IND) and the Springfield Falcons (EmJHL) on Saturday before a rematch with the Mass Maple Leafs of the CHA on Sunday. The Hitmen defeated Mass 3-0 in the first game of the season.