Stamford, CT - With yesterday's decisive 9-2 win over the CT Jr. Rangers, the Hitmen have secured the season series versus Connecticut and taken one step closer to locking in their first USPHL title. In the win, the Hitmen got two efforts for the ages. The first star of the game, #26 Matt Volonnino, who lit the Rangers up for 4 goals and 2 assists. Volonnino's line mate, James Martello, was not to be outdone, also notching 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists) in the victory.
 
Just a week earlier, the Hitmen traveled to Connecticut on Thursday, winning 6-3, with a Herculean effort from Holy Cross recruit and captain Mike Laffin. Down 2-1 entering the 3rd period, Laffin put the team on his back and racked up a natural hat trick to put the Rangers away. Connecticut then traveled to the Ice Vault a day later for the teams third meeting of the year, but this game would not go at all like Thursday's contest. Just 2:00 minutes into the first frame, Luke Rodgers, would notch his 4th power play goal of the season to go up 1-0. This goal would add fire to the Hitmen offense as the Hitmen would light the lamp five times in the first on goals from, Cameron Heath, Jake O'Borsky, Matt Volonnino and Conor O'Neil. Up 5-0 after one, the Hitmen would glide to a 8-2 victory.
 
Winners in 13 of their last 14 USPHL league games, the Hitmen have gotten red hot steaming towards the play-offs. The Hitmen's last regulation lost came on Sunday, November 23rd at Philadelphia. Since then, the Hitmen's only regulation blemish came on Sunday January 3rd, versus the PAL Jr. Islanders. That is when PAL goatender, Justin Ketola, shut out the Hitmen for the first time in seven seasons leading the Islanders to a 1-0 OT victory. Coming off Christmas break, that was just the shot in the arm the Hitmen needed to get them headed in the right direction at the right time of the year.
 
On Sunday, the Hitmen will look to get a measure of revenge versus the Philadelphia Flyers as the puck drops at the Ice Vault at 12:45pm. Please follow all the USPHL and Hitmen action at www.fasthockey.com