Early goals doom Connecticut Yankees, falls to xJersey Hitmen, 10-0
A four-goal first period deficit cost Connecticut Yankees, which could not recover and fell to xJersey Hitmen, 10-0.
MacKenzie Sawyer spearheaded the defensive effort for xJersey Hitmen, as he did not allow a puck past him and made 25 saves for the shutout. Sawyer certainly lowered his goals against average, which was 2.3 entering the contest.
Ben Israel had two goals and one assist to lead xJersey Hitmen. Israel scored the first of his two goals at 1:42 into the first period to make the score 1-0 xJersey Hitmen. Trey Olson provided the assist. Israel's next tally made the score 9-0 xJersey Hitmen with 5:44 left in the third period. xJersey Hitmen earned a power play opportunity when Tomas Parizek was put in the box for tripping. Dominic Trento picked up the assist.
xJersey Hitmen forced Connecticut Yankees' goaltenders to work hard to keep the puck out of the net, totaling 56 shots and forcing 46 saves. Luke Cohen made 22 stops and Maxwell Barr made 24. xJersey Hitmen stifled Connecticut Yankees' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. xJersey Hitmen's defensive effort looked to be improved. xJersey Hitmen allows 2.2 goals per game. xJersey Hitmen's goal total was higher than its season average. This season, xJersey Hitmen averages 4.4 goals per contest. xJersey Hitmen's defensemen played an important role in the offense, chipping in three goals. xJersey Hitmen could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 26 minutes in penalties during the game.
xJersey Hitmen additionally got points from Danny Lopez, who also registered one goal and three assists, Michael Laffin, who also finished with one goal and three assists to lead the team in points, Will Clark, who also grabbed two goals and one assist, Kenny Gillespie, who also racked up one goal and two assists, and David Ferriera, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Others who scored for xJersey Hitmen included Trevor Owens and Conor ONeil, who scored one goal each. In addition, xJersey Hitmen received assists from Andrew DeBrincat and John Furgele, who contributed one a piece and John Jackson and Steven Haydon, who each chipped in two.
Connecticut Yankees did not reach the goal total it has come to expect this season. Connecticut Yankees averages 2.5 goals per game. Penalties took their toll on Connecticut Yankees, as its penalty kill unit let in three power play goals. Connecticut Yankees found itself short handed often, totaling 26 penalty minutes and allowing four power plays.
Connecticut Yankees registered zero goals on four power play opportunities.
