News

By Sean Jack

This weekend proved that the line of Zach Lynes, Alec Weinberg and Richard Berkander is enemy number one for the Bay State Breakers. After a 4-2 victory the previous night, where that line accounted for all four Flyers' goals, they struck again Sunday afternoon with their efforts combining for three of Philadelphia’s goals in their 5-3 victory over the Breakers.

In the past five games the line - Berkander (2g, 3A), Weinberg (3G, 5A), and Lynes (5G, 4A) - has compiled twenty-two points, and was instrumental in today's come from behind victory.

After falling behind 3-0 to the Breakers after the first period, the Flyers seemed to be all but down and out until Lynes quieted Bay State by scoring twice on the same shift, a mere thirty seconds apart.

The first goal came halfway through the second period, as he took a one-timer from Weinberg at the circle off of the face-off, and sniped it in past net-minder Ben Halford. The play must have been painfully reminiscent to the Breaker’s goalie as he was beat the previous night by Lynes in similar fashion.

Lynes would quickly strike again on a tremendous solo effort as he was able to track down his own rebound while being pursued along the boards. He then beat Halford high over the shoulder to bring the Flyers within one.

 “This was really a break out weekend for him,” said Flyers’ head coach Jared Beach. “He’s got a great shot. The second one he outworked the guy and batted it home. It was the turning point of the game.”

The two goals reenergized a Flyers team that had given up three goals in the first. With the same cast of characters in tow from the day before, both teams decided to start the goalie who had played for them less that 24 prior.

The Breakers, looking for revenge after Saturday’s loss, came out flying, with their game plan to get as many pucks as possible on net and to score first. They did just that halfway through the first as Dalton Shiring scored his eighth goal of the season after a puck trickled off of Flyer’s goalie Joseph Young. Less than thirty seconds later a turnover in Philadelphia’s zone led to a tally from Colby Cretella for his ninth of the year.

After stealing the puck, Cretella spun around in the slot and beat Young high. And the Breakers weren’t finished; three minutes later newcomer Jackson Barliant was able to get one past Young, his fourth goal in as many games since joining the team. The period would close with the Breakers up three to nothing. They were 7-2-1 when leading after the first prior to the events of today's game.

The Flyers started the third period with a power play goal from defenseman Chad Lehigh, his first of the season. Shortly thereafter, Gianni Evangelisti would score to give the Flyers the lead for good.

Philadelphia was down a man for much of the third, but their penalty kill was perfect all game long.

“They scored two power play goals on us yesterday, “ Beach said “[The penalty kill] is something we pride ourselves on. We played smart today and blocked a few shots.”

The period would end with a tally from Weinberg- his third of the weekend- assisted by, who else, but Richard Berkander and Zach Lynes. The Flyers are now 5 –0 against the Breakers this season.

The Flyers take to the ice again on Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. as they host the P.A.L. Junior Islanders at the Virtua Flyers Skate Zone in Vorhees.