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Offense shines in perfect weekend for the 87's

By Anthony Di Paolo, 10/11/18, 4:00PM EDT

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Premier team sweeps showcase while Borowiec has a memorable debut

The New Jersey 87's went a combined 4-0-0 over the weekend between each of its teams. The Premier Division squad swept its first showcase of the season in Aston, Pennsylvania while the EHL team outscored its opponents 19-2 between two home games.

 

EHL squad prevails over Knights, rout the Jr. Rebels

The 87's weekend started on Friday when they hosted the first-place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights at Middletown Sports Complex. The Knights opened the scoring at 6:48 of the first period when Emerson Emery netted a power-play goal. Andrew Maynard responded for the 87's at 8:25, picking up his first goal of the season.

New Jersey went on a five-on-three power play early in the second period, as Zach Tarantino fired a wrist shot bar-down for his third goal of the season. Later in the period, Ty Brandt chased down a loose puck and went high-glove on a breakaway to give the 87's a two-goal lead. Hunter Bersani cut the Knights' deficit in half by scoring another power-play goal with 1:10 left in the period.

In the opening faceoff of the third period, the 87's created a quick three-on-one rush as Tarantino set up Tim DeBord for a tap-in, making it 4-2 just nine seconds in. DeBord would score again at 16:24 by tucking in a sharp-angle shot on the man-advantage. Dalton Jerzak finished the game with 26 saves as the 87's cruised to a 5-2 win.

Sunday's game proved to be more high-scoring--and one-sided--when the 87's defeated the Lehigh Valley Jr. Rebels by a score of 14-0. Jack Lane opened the scoring at 23 seconds into the game and would tack on four assists for a five-point night. Kyle DePalma ended his goal drought by recording a hat trick and two assists, while Jack Keryluk and Zach Tarantino each recorded two goals and two assists. John Kopack made 12 saves to earn the shutout.

Sunday's game also marked the 87's debut for Alex Borowiec, a 20-year-old forward who previously played for the South Shore Kings of the NCDC. The Denville native hit the ground running, as he recorded three goals and two assists against the Jr. Rebels. His five-point night edged out Louie Kuka's four-point performance last season (2g, 2a) as the best individual debut for the 87's. 

 

Premier team defeats Walpole, Connecticut to sweep showcase

The Premier team swept its first showcase of the season at the Ice Works Skating Complex. Opening up against the Walpole Express, the 87's made it 2-0 with goals from Brad Heuer and Anthony Tavares, the latter of which being shorthanded. Jonathan Brolin cut the Express' deficit in half late in the first half, but New Jersey would score two more goals in the second half. Cameron Satkowski scored on the power play at 10:16 while his brother, Luke, got the primary assist. Tom Swartwout sealed the win with an empty netter with 59 seconds left in the game. Jeremy Connor finished the game with 22 saves.

The following day proved to be a bit more turbulent for New Jersey as they faced the Connecticut Chiefs. Gunnar Hanson struck first at 1:24 to give Connecticut the lead. Mike Clougherty responded with his first goal of the season to even the score, but the Chiefs scored again at 14:37 and took a 2-1 lead into the intermission. 

Undeterred by the deficit, New Jersey would go on to score four unanswered goals in the second half. Simon Fitzgerald, Brad Heuer and Ryan Crane all scored in a span of four minutes and 22 seconds. For the second game in a row, Tom Swartwout sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the waning minutes of the game.

 

Look ahead:

EHL: 

Saturday Oct 13: at New York Applecore, 7:00 p.m.

Monday Oct 15: vs. Vermont Lumberjacks, 12:15 p.m.

 

Premier: 

Friday Oct 12: vs. NJ Renegades, 8:00 p.m.

Sunday Oct 14: vs. NJ Renegades, 7:00 p.m.