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Jersey Hitmen Premier Advance to USPHL Championships in Boston

By Dan Henningson, 03/06/18, 8:30PM EST

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Wayne NJ - The Jersey Hitmen are heading to the USPHL Championship in Marlborough, MA after sweeping the NY Aviators in a best of 3 series.

 

In hard fought matchup, the Jersey Hitmen skated to a 2-1 victory in Game 1.  After a scoreless first period, defenseman Jack Keryluk ripped a shot off the rush giving the Hitmen the lead. The Aviators responded and tied it up until the third period when Austin Master scored the game winning goal midway through the 3rd.  Master sprung loose on a partial breakaway beating the Aviator goalie five whole.  The Hitmen secured the one goal lead outshooting the Aviators 23-10 in the third period. Trevor Osborne turned away 32 shots for his 2nd straight playoff victory.  

 

In Game 2, the Hitmen took a 3-0 lead in the first.  Defenseman Braden Ploehn opened the scoring followed by Austin Master and Trevor Veneklase.  The Hitmen kept the attack going with Austin Master, scoring his 2nd of the night, and Matt Paiotti scored the eventual game winning goal.  The Hitmen three goal lead was enough to secure the 5-4 win and sweep over the Aviators.  Starter Trevor Osborne made 26 saves and is 3-0 in the playoff's with a 2.33 GAA and a .923 SV%.

 

By defeating the CT Nighthawks in the first round and the NY Aviators in the second round, the Hitmen are 4-0 in the playoffs and punch their ticket to the USPHL Championship Round Robin. The Hitmen joins teams from the Florida, Midwest East, Midwest West, North and South East conferences.