The New Jersey 87's EHL team swept the North Carolina Golden Bears last weekend, clinching the number one seed in the Mid-Atlantic Conference.

It's the second straight year the 87's have clinched first place in the Eastern Hockey League, thus earning a bye week in the first round of the playoffs. In the 2018-19 season, New Jersey went 33-11-1 for 67 points. In 43 games so far this year, the 87's have a record of 33-8-2 for 68 points. The team will play three more games to close out the regular season before gearing up for the playoffs in March.

Last weekend the 87's swept the North Carolina Golden Bears, winning their games by scores of 9-1 and 12-1 respectively. The team will have two road games this weekend against the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers and Connecticut RoughRiders, then a home game next week against the Philadelphia Revolution. 87's head coach Adam Houli spoke about his team's accomplishment and what it means for this year's upcoming postseason.

"It was great to solidify our position for the upcoming playoffs, anytime you can clinch early it is a tremendous job. Being able to clinch a first round bye and 1st place in the Mid-Atlantic was our goal from the start of the season and being able to do it shows the sacrifices made by our players to reach their goal," Houli said. "They are excited but remain poised and understand that playoff hockey is unlike any other type of hockey. I’m excited to see us finish the year out and then being our Providence Hunt in playoffs."  

Premier team fighting for first down the stretch

The 87's Premier team is riding a three-game winning streak and is sitting in second place in the Mid-Atlantic Conference. The team has a record of 28-6-3 and is one point behind the first-place Philadelphia Little Flyers while having two games in hand. 

Houli spoke about the Premier team's recent success, as the 87's have outscored their opponents 24-7 over the last three games. "This team has battled tremendously hard all year and its fitting that we can control our destiny to reaching first," Houli said. "We know it won't be easy and we need to be consistent in our effort, but if we are, I think we will be successful. There is nothing more exciting then trying to make a run for first. I cant wait to see how this plays out."

New Jersey has four games left on the schedule, including a home-and-home series against the Revolution to close out the regular season. Like the EHL team, the 87's Premier squad will look to punch its first-ever ticket to Providence, Rhode Island for a shot at the EHLP championship.

Upcoming games:

EHL

Friday Feb 21: at Philadelphia Jr. Flyers - 12:00 p.m.

Saturday Feb 22: at Connecticut RoughRiders - 8:00 p.m.

EHLP

Saturday Feb 22: at New York Bridgemen - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Feb 23: vs. New Jersey Renegades - 6:45 p.m.