Jersey Hitmen NCDC takes two in Syracuse
Cicero, NY - The Jersey Hitmen traveled to the north country this weekend to face off against the Syracuse Stars in Cicero, NY. The Stars, owners of one of the most balanced teams in the NCDC, were going to be a tough test for the Hitmen on home ice.
On Saturday night, game one started much like a prize fight, as both team felt each other out in the early going until recent 18U call up, Tyler Coffey, would light the lamp for his 9th of the season. The Coffey tally assisted by newcomer, Buster Larsson, and Dartmouth recruit, Jeff Losurdo, would put the Hitmen up 1-0. That line would strike again, as with just :23 seconds remaining in the first, Coffey, would notch his second of the game from behind the net on a centering pass that rattled around in the crease and made its way over the goal line.
In period two, the Stars, would make a valiant push, drawing a second penalty just :34 seconds into the second frame to put the Hitmen at a 5 vs 3 disadvantage and they would cash in. On the power play, Syracuse would score just :58 seconds apart to tie the game at two. Although the period would end with the Hitmen outshooting the Stars 12-9, the score would stay knotted at 2.
The third period would be all Hitmen though, as the Hitmen would fire 14 shots on Syracuse goalie, Wesley Mankowski, and skate to victory 5-3. Assistant captain, Ryan Finnegan, would lead the way scoring the game winning goal and adding another insurance marker late in the third period. Rookie forward, Remy Parker, would put the cherry of top, adding an empty net goal.
Sunday afternoon, the Hitmen would vie for the sweep, as the puck dropped at 2pm at Cicero Twin Rinks. Coming off a four assist effort the night before, NCDC leading scorer, Jeff Losurdo, was ready to go. Just :32 seconds into the first period, Losurdo would streak down the wing and get a highlight reel, behind the back pass from Buster Larsson, sending Losurdo in alone and he would beat the Syracuse goaltender on a backhander under the bar. This would be the lone goal until line mate, Tyler Coffey, would fire home his 3rd of the weekend on the power play, with assists going to Larsson and Finnegan, putting the Hitmen up again 2-0 heading into the second.
After giving up a goal halfway through the second period, Remy Parker, would score his second goal of the weekend on a net front scrum and the Hitmen would go up for good. The Hitmen scoring would not be over though as Tyler Coffey would score his 4th goal of the weekend (12th in his first 15 NCDC games) and Logan Stork would add his second goal in a Hitmen uniform as the Hitmen would skate to a 5-1 victory.
The weekend sweep would keep the Hitmen in the race for the for the Founders Cup heading into the IHC showcase this weekend. Follow all the Hitmen action at www.hockeytv.com