The New Jersey 87's went 3-0-0 over the weekend, as the EHL team swept New York Apple Core with 6-1 and 5-3 victories, while the Premier team broke a two-game slide with a 3-1 win over the New Jersey Renegades.

On Friday afternoon, the 87's EHL team traveled to Brewster Ice Arena for a matchup against New York Apple Core, the first of two games in three days. New Jersey wasted no time as Bryan Van Ness opened the scoring just five minutes into the game. Matt Herrick, Dante Terramani and Matt Zdanowicz tacked on three more goals as the 87's took a 4-0 lead into the first intermission. The momentum carried over into the second period as Zach Lindenwirth scored at 2:06 to make it 5-0. Apple Core responded with a goal later in the second, but Kei Yasuda tacked on one more goal in the third period to make it 6-1. Jeremy Connor stopped 17 of the 18 shots he faced to earn the victory.

Two days later, the 87's returned to Brewster for its second straight game against Apple Core. This time New York struck first when Jason Ruzkowski buried a rebound at 8:30 of the first period. Lindenwirth evened the score with a power play goal as he shoveled in a backhander from the low slot at 17:48. Kei Yasuda and Jason Santoriello scored 39 seconds apart in the middle period to make it 3-1, though Apple Core cut the deficit when Michael Leva scored at 13:30. The 87's regained control of the game, however, when Dante Terramani and Yasuda scored in the third period to put themselves up by three. Sam Mitchell scored a nifty goal in the final minute of regulation, but the damage was done as the 87's completed the sweep with a 5-3 win. Jon Kopack made 17 saves on the 20 shots he faced.

The Premier team only had one game this weekend, a Sunday matchup against the Renegades at Jersey Shore Arena. Lance Krueger opened the scoring at 10:46 of the first period, as a shot from the point found its way through traffic. The 87's turned up the pressure in the second period, but Renegades goaltender Michae Libutti made a series of terrific saves to keep his team ahead. Owen Newhouse finally broke through at 17:06 when he fired a wrist shot over the glove of Libutti to tie the game at one. Michael LoRicco added another goal two minutes later when he took a shot five-hole on a three-on-one rush. Newhouse scored again in the opening minute of the third period when he came flying down the left wing on a two-on-one and lofted another shot glove-side. From there, Tyler Roesel was able to hold down the fort by making 18 saves in the 3-1 victory.

For the Premier team, it snapped a two-game slide where they lost at home to the Renegades by a score of 4-2, and then suffered an 8-3 road loss against the Philadelphia Little Flyers. It was only the second time this season the 87's have lost two games in a row, but the win over the Renegades improves their record to 21-5-2.

Race to the finish

-With the EHL and EHLP playoffs quickly approaching, both 87's teams are looking to secure the highest possible seed. The EHL team needs two wins in order to secure the best record in the league, and the Premier squad just needs one more point to clinch the South Division. 

-If the Premier team clinches the South Division, that will guarantee both teams getting a bye in the first round. For more information on the playoff formats, you can visit the EHL's Frozen Finals page: https://www.easternhockeyleague.org/frozen-finals

Additional Notes

-The EHL team's 5-3 win over New York Apple Core was their 100th regular season win since joining the league in 2018. Their first victory dates back to September 19, 2018, a 5-0 win against Team Maryland.

-If the Premier team manages to clinch the South Division, it will be the second straight year they will accomplish the feat. 

Upcoming games

EHL

Wednesday Feb 24: at Philadelphia Little Flyers - 11:30 a.m.

Friday Feb 26: vs. Team Maryland - 12:30 p.m.
Sunday Feb 28: vs. Protec Jr. Ducks - 12:30 p.m.

Premier

Friday Feb 26: at New Jersey Renegades - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday Feb 27: vs. Philadelphia Little Flyers - 8:15 p.m.

Photo Credit: Tom Smith