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Premier Railers Win In Thrilling Fashion

By Mike Basile, 03/23/23, 8:30PM EDT

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3-2 Victory Earns Worcester 1-0 Series Lead

PROVIDENCE, RI -- Round-robin play in the Premier Division started with the Railers Junior Hockey Club meeting the New Hampshire Avalanche.  

For two high-scoring teams, we did see a bit of a feeling-out process to start. The first shot of the game came 4:40 into the first period. The Railers pushed the pace a bit but could not create many high-danger chances early on. Aidan Healy had to answer the call as well, making a few big saves on some good looks for the Avs. The first power-play of the day would go to the Railers Junior Hockey Club just under eight minutes into the first. Zach Warner-Senee would make a great move from below the goal line to jam one by Alex Gerard who made a couple of stellar saves right before the goal. Ryan Dutcher and Jaymin Rolfe would grab the helpers. The pushback would come from the Avalanche, drawing a penalty with just under four minutes to go in the first frame. The Avalanche would answer just 35 seconds into the power-play. Jake Hines scored on a beautiful setup from Ryan Dempster and AJ Guzzardi. That was Hines's first goal of the playoffs. Aidan Healy had a busy first period stopping 15/16 shots. 

The Avalanche came out flying to start the second period peppering Healy with shots. John D’Errico scored from below the goal line, banking one home off of Healy. D’Errico who has been red hot for the Avs now has eight goals this postseason. The Railers looked to bounce right back, As Gaute Overas got free on a breakaway, but was stoned by Alex Gerard. The physicality ramped up in the second period, with both teams throwing their bodies around. Will Celli responded with a goal of his own to level the playing field back at two, and the Railers would feed off that drawing a penalty just a minute later. Alex Gerard stood tall on the kill to keep it a 2-2 game. Aidan Healy stole the show the rest of the way with big save after big save. After the middle frame, we were all square at two. 

The third period started with an Avalanche power-play, but the Railers would kill it off, and try and flip the momentum. They would, with a power-play of their own. Aidan Healy would be forced to make three huge saves on the PK as the Railers power-play couldn’t find a goal. Jaymin Rolfe came in hard on the forecheck, forced a turnover, and again gave the Railers the lead.  Gerard would head to the bench for the extra attacker, with 1:10 to go in the third. The Avs comeback bid would fall short. Aidan Healy stole the show making 34 saves. 

Coach Jone Fine-lease was pleased with the effort saying, “We settled into our game.” He also knew winning the first game would be huge, “ We control what we can now, our message is to run the table… One pillar has been knocked down… three more to go.” Jaymin Rolfe scored the game-winning goal tonight “I came in on the forecheck, lifted the stick, and saw I had a breakaway. I was able to beat the goalie back post.” Finally, we spoke to one of the captains Tommy Carron, “ We kept sticking to our game, we played Railers hockey.” The Railers are back in action tomorrow vs the 87s at 7:00 PM. The Avalanche will meet the Rangers at 4:00 PM.  

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