Jersey Hitmen Premier Set to Defend Home Ice, Build on Win Streak
Wayne, NJ - Coming off Thanksgiving break, the Jersey Hitmen Premier team is looking to pick up exactly where they left off. Winners in 8 of their last 9, spanning back to November 1st, the Hitmen now face a six game 'home stand' of sorts prior to the USPHL Christmas break.
"I really like the way we've played since the big win versus South Shore on November 1st," commented coach Toby Harris. "I truly believe that 6-2 win over a very strong, hard working Kings team has catapulted us forward."
In the victory, the Hitmen had 11 players hit the scoresheet including multiple point games from, Alex Whelan (1G/1A), Eric Shaw (1G/2A), Walker Sommer (GWG/1A), Conlan Keenan (2A) and Oscar Skiold (2G/1A).
"Since the Beantown Classic our forwards have really started to settle in and their hockey identities and acumen have started to shine through." Harris continued, "at the beginning of the season we only had 2 returning forwards and it showed. We dropped some points early because we were not all on the same page and we were missing that special camaraderie that usually comes together in training and exhibition season. Since making a couple of moves up front, that has changed. Over the past month we have settled into four very solid lines, with four very separate approaches. I am really looking forward to the next six games and watching this team continue to grow and get better."
Over the nine game stretch the Hitmen have gotten very strong goaltending from the Josh Creelman and Jimmy Thomas tandem. Thomas currently sits 6th in the USPHL in goals against average (2.43) and Creelman is in 7th place in save percentage (.920), just .004 out of the 3rd spot.
On defense, veteran stalwart, Joe Kinsella, has really started to heat up. Kinsella, is currently riding a 5 game point streak (1G/5A) and has hit the scoresheet in 6 of his last 7 contests. The same goes for PP specialist, Tanner Salsberry, who has racked up 9 points in the Hitmen nine game stretch, scoring once and adding eight assists.
Over the next six USPHL games, the Hitmen look to stay hot. This weekend at the Ice Vault, the Hitmen will face the Rochester Jr Americans, the following weekend the Hitmen welcome the Syracuse Stars to Wayne, NJ for a two game set and then the Hitmen roll into Connecticut for two mid week games versus the Jr Rangers (Tuesday Dec 15 and Thursday Dec 17 both games at 12pm).
In the victory, the Hitmen had 11 players hit the scoresheet including multiple point games from, Alex Whelan (1G/1A), Eric Shaw (1G/2A), Walker Sommer (GWG/1A), Conlan Keenan (2A) and Oscar Skiold (2G/1A).
"Since the Beantown Classic our forwards have really started to settle in and their hockey identities and acumen have started to shine through." Harris continued, "at the beginning of the season we only had 2 returning forwards and it showed. We dropped some points early because we were not all on the same page and we were missing that special camaraderie that usually comes together in training and exhibition season. Since making a couple of moves up front, that has changed. Over the past month we have settled into four very solid lines, with four very separate approaches. I am really looking forward to the next six games and watching this team continue to grow and get better."
Over the nine game stretch the Hitmen have gotten very strong goaltending from the Josh Creelman and Jimmy Thomas tandem. Thomas currently sits 6th in the USPHL in goals against average (2.43) and Creelman is in 7th place in save percentage (.920), just .004 out of the 3rd spot.
On defense, veteran stalwart, Joe Kinsella, has really started to heat up. Kinsella, is currently riding a 5 game point streak (1G/5A) and has hit the scoresheet in 6 of his last 7 contests. The same goes for PP specialist, Tanner Salsberry, who has racked up 9 points in the Hitmen nine game stretch, scoring once and adding eight assists.
Over the next six USPHL games, the Hitmen look to stay hot. This weekend at the Ice Vault, the Hitmen will face the Rochester Jr Americans, the following weekend the Hitmen welcome the Syracuse Stars to Wayne, NJ for a two game set and then the Hitmen roll into Connecticut for two mid week games versus the Jr Rangers (Tuesday Dec 15 and Thursday Dec 17 both games at 12pm).
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