Short Shifts Around The EShow
Wrapping Up The North Regional Showcase
BOSTON, MA -- This week in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL), teams in the North, East and Central Divisions went to Exeter, New Hampshire—home of the Seacoast Spartans—for a regional showcase.
A total of 16 games were played at the Rinks at Exeter with plenty of takeaways, including the end of New York Apple Core’s winning streak. There were also key games taking place in the EHL South Division, as well as in the EHLP.
So, let’s dive right into the Short Shifts Around the #EShow.
Wizards bringing the magic to Exeter
- The East Coast Wizards won both games in Exeter; a 4-3 victory over the New England Wolves and a 3-2 win over New York Apple Core, ending the team’s 20-game win streak.
- Tuesday’s win over the Wolves involved overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the first period. On Wednesday, the Wizards set the tone against Apple Core by scoring two quick goals and never looking back.
- Aidan O’Connell scored in both games for East Coast. The Stevenson University commit now has 20 goals and 29 points in just 27 games since joining the team.
- The Wizards are having their best season since the 2018-19 campaign, and now they can boast about ending the second-longest winning streak in EHL history. With a 27-9-6 record and four games remaining, they also have a shot at having their first-ever 30-win season.
Other Short Shifts From Exeter
- Apple Core may have ended their winning streak, but they bounced back on Thursday with a 3-1 win over the Valley Jr. Warriors. Luke Golisano had a pair of goals in the victory.
- The Bridgewater Bandits upset the Express Hockey Club with a 2-1 overtime victory. Henry Cohen scored the overtime winner, and Brendan Flanagan made 41 saves on 42 shots including a breakaway stop right before Cohen’s OT heroics.
- Another successful showcase for the Railers Jr. Hockey Club; they won both games with an 8-2 thrashing over the Boston Jr. Rangers on Tuesday and a 1-0 win against the Boston Jr. Terriers on Thursday.
- William Stephens had a pair of goals in the Railers’ 8-2 win, one of 16 different skaters who recorded at least a point. Then, Daniel Prazma scored the Railers’ only goal in their win over the Terriers.
- The New Hampshire Avalanche may have clinched their division, but they show no signs of slowing down. They defeated Providence Hockey Club 2-1 in overtime on a game-winning goal by defenseman Brendan Pecararo, then defeated the Connecticut Chiefs 7-1 as Kyle Gonzalez notched two goals and a helper.
- As the host of the regional showcase, the Seacoast Spartans split their two games. On Tuesday, they defeated the Seahawks 3-1. Jonathan Groth had a goal and an assist, and he now has 20 goals and 36 assists through 41 games.
Standings Shuffling in the South
- Four teams have clinched playoff spots in the South. Now Philadelphia Hockey Club and the Pennsylvania Huntsmen are fighting for their seasons to make the play-in game.
- PHC has a three-point lead over the Huntsmen with four games remaining, and that stems from a huge 2-1 win over Team Maryland on Saturday. Edward Mirigliano and Connor Movalli were the goal scorers, while Cross Sherman stopped 35 of 36 shots.
- The Philadelphia Little Flyers always seem to turn things up late in the season, and right now they are 3-0-1 in their last four. Their last game on Tuesday was a 3-2 win over the Huntsmen; Logan Downs had a pair of goals including the game-winner with 6:03 left in regulation.
- Right now, the Little Flyers are even in points with the New Jersey 87’s, but the latter team has two games in hand. The 87’s also snapped a three-game skid with a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Bears on Wednesday. Landon Adams and Blake Dustin each had a goal and an assist in the win.
Around the EHLP
- The Railers extended its winning streak to 12 games on Thursday with a 7-1 win over the Seahawks. With a record of 36-3-0, they have also clinched the Regular Season Championship in the EHLP.
- On Thursday, the New England Wolves defeated the New Hampshire Avalanche by a score of 3-2. Harrison Kramer scored twice in the victory, and he’s second in the league with 33 goals. Not bad for a player who turned 18 just over a week ago.
- That win could have big playoff implications for the Wolves as well. They are one point ahead of the Avs for second place in the New England Division. Staying in that spot would mean home-ice advantage in the first round of the postseason.
- The New Jersey 87’s extended its winning streak to eight games with a 5-1 win over the Union Jr. Thunder. Ayden Georgiano had four points, and he’s up to 60 points (23g, 37a) through 36 games.
- This upcoming week will be the last set of ‘conventional’ games for the EHLP teams, then they will join all the EHL teams for the Aston, PA showcase from March 1-4.
Anthony Di Paolo
Anthony Di Paolo covers the EHL for HNIB and can be followed on Twitter @DiPaolo_016
Anthony Di Paolo has been working in various levels of hockey over the last five years, ranging from juniors to the pros. Di Paolo spent four seasons as the Communications Director and play-by-play announcer for the New Jersey Titans of the North American Hockey League (2016-2020), and is entering his fifth season in a similar role with the New Jersey 87’s of the Eastern Hockey League. Graduating from Seton Hall University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, the New Jersey native covered Division I athletics for his school’s radio station, WSOU, and spent two years writing for the Fischler Report, a newsletter run by U.S. Hockey Hall-of-Fame inductee Stan Fischler. In addition to writing features and player spotlights throughout the season, Anthony is a fixture on the weekly #EShow podcast.
