With their backs against the wall, the Empire team landed their biggest wins of the season, defeating #1 ranked Syracuse 4-3 and then beating Rochester 5-2 to advance to the North Finals.

After opening round robin play with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Jr. Bruins, the Hitmen reeled off consecutive wins against Syracuse and Rochester to reach the North Finals. Playing spirited hockey, the Hitmen mounted a furious third period comeback, but would eventually fall to the NY Aviators in their final game capping off an incredible playoff run and a successful 22-14-4 campaign.

On Friday night the Hitmen faced off against the Jr. Bruins. As in the previous games against the Bruins the Hitmen raced off to a fast start. The Empire team led 2-0 midway through the first period. Eventually the short bench would catch up to them as the Hitmen lost their 2-0 lead late in the second. The game went to overtime and even though the Hitmen carried the play, it was a wraparound goal that ended it, giving the Bruins a 3-2 win.

With the season on the line, the Hitmen squared off against #1 Syracuse on Saturday afternoon. The Stars scored 6 minutes into the first period and led 1-0 after one. It took the Hitmen only 1:37 into the second to knot the game at one. Chris Brunner-Grande scored on a beautiful snap shot from in close. Syracuse would score at 18:04 to take a 2-1 lead but it was short lived. Anthony Steffe scored 14 seconds later to tie the game at 2.

In the third, Steffe scored his second goal of the game at the 5:40 mark. Syracuse responded with a goal of their own to tie it at 3 with under 13 minutes to play. Marc Gurega would put the Hitmen back on top with a rebound goal with 4:30 left in the game. The Hitmen would hold on for a 4-3 win, setting them up with a game against Rochester with a chance to advance to the North Finals.

After a slow start against Rochester on Saturday night, the Hitmen would score three times in the third, capped off by a blue line blast by Chris Rovero that would spell a 5-2 Hitmen win.

In the North Finals game the Empire squad competed hard but couldn’t overcome the size and strength of the Aviators. Trailing 8-1 early third, the Hitmen would tally 3 goals in a span of 2:35 to make the game interesting. With 8:30 remaining, Michael Scott batted a puck in to make it 8-5 but the goal was disallowed due to a high stick. The Hitmen would pull their goalie and eventually lost 10-4, ending their season.

The Empire team finished league play 22-14-4.