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18U: USHL Frosty Cup Champions

By Dan Henningson, 02/01/23, 3:00PM EST

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Wayne, N.J. – The Jersey Hitmen 18-U team attended the USHL Frosty Cup in Dallas, Texas last weekend (Jan. 27-29), and finished the event with a 4-0-1 record. The Hitmen successfully advanced to the championship game and defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 18-U team to win the title.

 

The Hitmen played the host Dallas Stars Elite to begin their round-robin schedule. Dallas won the contest 3-2 in overtime. Jersey regrouped with two victories on the second day of the event, defeating Boston Hockey Academy, 5-1, and the Madison Capitols, 4-2. Goaltenders Miller Wiese (’05) and Joseph Auletti (’05) were instrumental in the wins.

 

Jersey qualified for the playoff rounds and was matched against the Wenatchee Wild in the semi-finals. The Hitmen forged ahead to the title game thanks to a convincing 7-2 victory over Wenatchee. Hollis Humphries (’04) and Clay Prial (’05) each scored twice during the game, while Braeden Guiterman (’05), Patrick Nulty (’05), Will Brown (’05), and Nicky Romeo (’05) also contributed to the win.

 

The championship game against Phoenix was high-paced and tightly contested. Kristofers Krumins (’05, Vermont) opened the scoring in the first period, and his goal would stand as the eventual game-winner. Ty Oller (’05) added an insurance goal and Auletti stood his ground in net, turning away 36 shots for the shutout, as the Hitmen skated to a 2-0 win.

 

In addition to the Hitmen winning the event, Romeo led the tournament in goal-scoring with five tallies on the weekend.  Romeo currently leads the team in scoring with 45 goals and 49 assists.

 

Jersey Hitmen head coach Dan Henningson made these remarks about the championship weekend:

 

“Our guys have played a lot of hockey as of late, but our effort never wavered in five highly intense and physical games.  We feel like strong goaltending and a dependable penalty kill can win these big games for us and that was what we had all weekend long.”

 

On Sunday, the Hitmen travel to play the Westchester Express at 11:30 a.m. The game will be played at Sacred Heart University in the new, Matire Family Arena.