Wayne, NJ- For a team that usually relies on stingy defense and good goaltending, it was the offense that gave everybody the weekend off. The Empire team scored 16 goals in their two game weekend series against the Bay State Breakers earning them two big wins as they roll into the Islanders Hockey Club showcase this weekend.
After losing a heartbreaker on Friday night to the Jersey Shore Whalers, the Hitmen rebounded with a 4-1 win over Bay State. After a scoreless first period, Michael Scott gave the Hitmen a 1-0 lead on a tic-tac-toe power-play goal. Kenny O’Brien extended the lead to 2-0 on a power-play goal of his own.
Bay State cut the lead to 2-1 at the start of the third, but Stephan Kobyleckyj scored 40 seconds later on a deflection from a Zack Toy point shot. Riley Flynn went top shelf making it 4-1 with three minutes left and put the game out of reach. The power-play went 2 for 6 and is finally clicking, which may be the answer to the Hitmen offense. Ross Mantione was solid in net, turning aside 13 shots for the win.
On Sunday morning the Hitmen broke out in a big way. The Empire team struck for 12 goals, making this game a laugher quickly. After spotting the Breakers to an early 1-0 lead, the Hitmen scored 5 unanswered goals to close out the first period with a 5-1 lead. Frank Steffe scored twice and Zack Aimone, Matt Koziel and David Dachille all found the back of the net.
Brock Bowers gave the Hitmen a 6-1 lead early into the second period. Phil Garcia made it 7-1 on a power-play goal and Chris Brunner-Grande scored 3 minutes later to give the Hitmen an 8-1 advantage. After two periods the shots were 39-14 as the Hitmen led 8-1.
It was more of the same in the third. The Empire team would score four more times, two goals from Brunner-Grande and one goal from Bowers and Eddie Leitgeb. When it all ended the Hitmen celebrated a 12-2 win. Danny Vobroucek returned in net and made 22 saves for the victory.
The Hitmen are in Massachusetts this weekend as they compete at the Islanders Hockey Club Showcase.