NEWS

The Minor Cup Chase is on!

Delco Demons Black (1-4-1)  came to NJ with just seven skaters and played short-handed all weekend.  They split their first two games, but struggled after that.  On Sunday they lost two games by three goals combined.  Dom Anastasia lead the team with 10 points (6-4-10).

Empire State Legends Silver (6-0)  made some loud statements in their quest for the Minor Cup.  They won all their games and finished with a great goal differential (29-10).  The high flying duo of Florio and Sherman combined for 17 goals and 32 points and Florio missed the last game. Goalies Lauto and Occhicone combined for a 1.67GAA.  As well, Silver beat Black 4-3, in the opening round of the Empire Strikes Back Games.

Empire State Legends Black (1-4-1) lost their first game by a goal, their second by two, then blew out the Bulldogs 8-2. But they struggled to find their groove the rest of the weekend.  Black was paced by Kyle Kalibat and TJ D’Agostino’s five goals apiece.  D’Agostino tallied 8 points in just three games; more from him will likely help the Black get back into the win column. 

Hartford Fire Ants (4-1-1) rode the momentum of their memorable Tier II run in Long Island in May.  Saturday they went 2-1-1, highlighted by their shootout victory over the Liberty, a game they trailed 5-1 in the second.  Hartford won both games Sunday as well. Troy, Jim and Mark Miller combined for 20 points, with Troy doing much of the heavy lifting.  Sean Hathaway launched himself into Cy Young Award contention with his line (6-1).  The goalies split the work and produced similar results, though Botelho is unblemished (3-0)

Long Island Bulldogs (2-4) came into New Jersey with high hopes  but  lost their opener on a last minute goal.  They appeared to get on track after beating the Alliance,  and finished Saturday 2-2. Sunday would be their undoing, losing a see-saw game with Liberty then digging to big of a hole versus Insanity.  Familiar Terror/Venom faces lead the team in scoring,  with James Kelly (6-6-12) leading the way. Kelly and Paul Masem put the rest of the league on notice that they are strong contenders for ‘Best Flow’ Award, annually given by the referees.

New Jersey Braves (3-3) delivered a few surprises in their opening weekend.  They won two games in OT, including the Shorthanded Survivor Bowl, beating Demons with only five skaters.  They also claimed Garden State supremacy by beating the Alliance.  Anthony Paterno lead six skaters with vowels at the end of their name with six goals. ‘Best Flow’ candidate Nick Primavera (2-5-7) provided strong support.

New Jersey Alliance Gold (2-4) won games on both days, including handing Hartford their only regulation blemish, but struggled to find consistency.  Forwards Terzulli (9-5-14) and Gerwitz (5-5-10) lead the team.  Coach Eddie Hogan looked to skate the team in the dark, “Miracle” style after a tough after midnight loss, but he couldn’t turn the lights off, so he sent the team home.  The Alliance looks to rebound  in Long Island in January.

New England Insanity (4-2) came in with high hopes as they welcomed four players back from the past.  After a quick win, NEI went into a tailspin, losing two and getting badly outplayed by Liberty and Demons.  NEI regrouped and won its last three.  Insanity scored 37 goals to lead the division, and scored on five of their 6 power plays.  Defenseman Matty Love lead the division with 4.5 slide takeaways per game (ST/G).  Goalie Blake Ducker played all six games, as third string netminder Kevin Salisbury insisited on playing defense.

Philadelphia Liberty Blue (4-1-1) won their first two, lost their next two (one in OT), then won their last two on Sunday to finish strong.  Connor Ferrell had ten points (4-6-10) and Mike Walsh had seven goals (7-2-9).  The always aggressive squad from the City of Brotherly Love took 42 PIM, D-men Strofe (12) and Allen (10) set the tone.

Next on the list for the ALPO bowl for a recap will be the Pacific South Elite and Minor Festival as well as the Northeast Minor Tier 2 Festival scheduled for this weekend Dec 17 at the Hockey Dek.