U-19’s Claw It Out With Raptors
Earn Split With South Jersey Foe
November 13, 2008
Wayne, NJ - The Hitmen U-19 team returned home for the first time in over a month this weekend for a two game set with the South Jersey Raptors. It is hard to say whether the Hitmen were more excited or relieved to be home, but either way the boys looked comfortable on their home ice.
Saturday’s tilt saw plenty of physical play, a few fights, a penalty shot and a 7-0 Hitmen victory. The Hitmen would get on the board early scoring just over three minutes into the contest. Scott Steinel got the play started, creating a turnover with a tenacious forechecking effort. After creating the turnover Steinel corralled the loose puck and found Chris Tamminga behind the Raptors defenders. Tamminga one touched the puck to a streaking Andrew Serpico who hammered the pass home. The U-19’s would continue to dominate the first frame out shooting their southern counterparts by a margin of 14-4.
The second period would once again see the boys from Wayne strike early. Tamminga would bang home a power play goal courtesy of Steinel and Serpico 1:12 into the period. However, just as in the first period the Hitmen dominated play with only one goal to show for their efforts.
Heading to the locker room with a 2-0 lead and 24-7 cushion in shots the boys stayed focused on the task as hand and came out firing in the third. The offense would explode for 5 third period goals, the first coming off the stick of Captain Vinny Lopes. Ali Thomas started the play by hitting Kenny Pilanski who headed through the neutral zone before finding Lopes joining the play late. Pilanski would move the puck to Lopes who flew up the wing and past the Raptors defenseman before cutting to the net and tucking home his fifth goal of the season at 10:18. Minutes later Serpico would make a spectacular saucer pass over two Raptors sticks and onto the tape of Steve Drizis. As Drizis crossed the opposing blueline he was hauled down from behind by a defender resulting in a penalty shot. Drizis faked a shot than moved to his left before lifting the puck over the Raptors goaltender and into the top corner for a 4-0 Hitmen lead. Soon after Vinny Lopes was whistled for a trip Chris Tamminga would strike again scoring a short handed goal with the help of Nick Maniaci and Steve Drizis. Shortly after Kenny Pilanski would add his name to the long list of goal scorers as he would convert on the power play with assists going to Michael Conte and Ali Thomas. Nick Lotito would cap off the scoring with just over a minute to play on a feed from Noah Duguay. When all was said and done six Hitmen players reached multi-point games and goaltender Matt Braun would pick up his second shutout of the season.
Sunday the U-19’s faced the challenge of staying hungry after a dominating performance the night before. Although they were up to the challenge Sunday was a new day and the Raptors a new team. South Jersey came out with a chip on their shoulder and a little extra life in their game opening the scoring just two minutes into the opening frame. While the Hitmen were still thinking about their performance from the night before the Raptors would add another goal at 14:07 of the first and take a 2-0 lead into the intermission.
After a little bit of inspiration in the locker room the U-19’s came out for the second period re-focused and ready to play. Andrew Serpico would start scoring for the Hitmen once again converting on a feed from Ali Thomas and Michael Conte. The Raptors however, would answer back just over two minutes later. JR Lafferty would team up with Scott Steinel and Vinny Lopes to convert on the power play less than three minutes later, drawing the Hitmen back within a goal. The Hitmen would continue to dominate the second period and would tie the game on a Vinny Lopes power play goal at 5:16 of the period. Ali Thomas chipped in the assist. The period would end in a 3-3 tie, but the period clearly belonged to the Hitmen as they outshot the Raptors 27-4 in the stanza.
The Hitmen would continue to dominate in the third, but on this day luck was not on their side. JR Lafferty was whistled for a double minor at 15:39 of the period and the Raptors would find a way to take the lead. As the second half of the double minor was winding down a rolling puck would find its way to the Raptors defenseman who fired the puck towards the Hitmen net. The puck would hit three players in front before finally finding its way passed the blocker of goaltender Anthony Tabbacchino. The Hitmen would continue to apply heavy pressure, but with every attack the Raptors goaltender was up to the challenge. The boys would hit two cross bars and a post before time ran out on their comeback attempt. Despite outshooting the Raptors 63-22 on the day the U-19’s could not find a way to win.
“It’s frustrating to dominate a team like we did this weekend and only come away with a split” commented a disappointed coach Barling. “The boys played well but at the end of the day we did not accomplish what we set out to do. We didn’t win, end of story.”
The U-19’s will take the upcoming weekend off before playing three games the following week. First up are rivals the New Jersey Rockets next Wednesday (11/19) night at the Prudential Center followed by a two game set at the University of Vermont against the Green Mountain Glades.