Rochester, NY - After dispatching of in state rivals, the NJ Rockets, on Tuesday night 10-1, the Hitmen packed up and hit the road for a two game set in Rochester. A well coached and hard working team, the Rochester Jr Monarchs were looking to halt the Hitmen's three game winning streak.

On Saturday night, Kris Carlson, would get the start between the pipes and the Hitmen would strike early. Just 4:58 into the first, Union College commit, Ben Pirko, would send a stretch pass up the middle of the ice to Anthony Tzveyn. Tzveyn, would redirect the pass to a streaking, Connor Quinn, sending him in on a breakaway and with a nifty move, Quinn would beat Rochester goaltender, Josh Sarlo, five hole to put the Hitmen up 1-0. This even strength marker would be all that the Hitmen would need as Carlson would shut the door on the Monarchs, making 33 saves in route to his first NCDC shut out.

Sunday afternoon, Carlson would get the nod again in goal, but the game would have a much different tone. Unlike Saturday, it would be the Monarchs who would draw first blood as Chris Perna would be the beneficiary of a back door tap in just 1:22 into the first but the Hitmen would not lie down. Just ten minuets later, Matt Cousino, on the power play, would rip a shot from the point that beat Sarlo to tie the game at one. At 15:37, Bryce DeFazio, would join the party, scoring his first NCDC goal on a shot from the blue line that was redirect in by a Rochester defender to put the Hitmen up 2-1 and the track meet was on as the Hitmen and Rochester would exchange goals until the waning moments of the second. Enter Jeff Losurdo. With the game tied 3-3, Losurdo, would snap the puck under the arm of, Sarlo, on the power play, from the slot, to put the Hitmen up 4-3 going into the third and in the third, he would take over.

At 10:42, on the power play Losurdo would fire a Rocket, top corner, to put the Hitmen up 6-3. At 11:59, Quinnipiac recruit, Connor Tait, would steal the puck shorthanded and feed Losurdo in the slot, for his hat trick, 7-3. At 15:01, Losurdo would slap home his 4th of the game, and complete his third period natural hat trick, leading the Hitmen to an 8-3 victory. 

In victory, Carlson would make 32 saves, and the Hitmen would go 4 for 9 on the power play, and tally a short handed marker. The sweep of Rochester would push the Hitmen winning streak to five and help prepare them for a big week at the South Shore Kings showcase in Foxboro, February 15th - 17th. Follow the Hitmen this week on HockeyTV.com as they face off against the South Shore Kings, IHC and Northern Cyclones at Foxboro, MA.