The Eastern Hockey League playoffs continued this past week, as the field of 24 was brought to 19 for playoffs (including play in games), with the Frozen Finals beginning March 26th at Providence College
Check out our recaps on each series + scouting notes
Quick Hits
The 87s and Little Flyers will meet for the 4th consecutive year in the playoffs for the South Division final.
Upcoming Game 3’s - Seahawks HC vs Express HC Saturday, New Hampshire vs Valley Sunday
Connecticut’s Sean Gilland leads in playoff points, tallying 2G in the play in game vs HC Rhode Island and 4G 5A overall.
Upset Alert - Philly takes out #1 seed in South New Jersey Bears in 2 games
#1 New Hampshire Avalanche vs #4 Valley Jr Warriors
Results
Game 1 - Valley Jr Warriors (4) vs New Hampshire Avalanche (3) OT
Game 2 - New Hampshire Avalanche (7) vs Valley Jr Warriors (1)
After dropping game 1 in overtime, top seeded New Hampshire made a statement in game 2, rolling to a 7-1 win to force game 3 Sunday. ‘03 Reid Malatesta had himself a game in game 1 for the Junior Warriors, tallying 2G 2A including the OT game winner.
#2 Seacoast Spartans vs #3 New England Wolves
Results
Game 1 - Seacoast Spartans (3) vs New England Wolves (2) OT
Game 2 - Seacoast Spartans (4) vs New England Wolves (1)
’04 Myles Kidd was the OT hero for Seacoast in game 1, and followed up with the insurance goal + empty net to seal Game 2. ’03 AJ Lackas was a shifty offensive threat for the Wolves, tallying 2G in game 1 and added an assist in the game 2.
#1 Express Hockey Club vs. #4 Seahawks Hockey Club
Results
Game 1 - Express Hockey Club (3) vs Seahawks Hockey Club (2)
Game 2 - Seahawks Hockey Club (3) vs Express Hockey Club (2) OT
Entering the 3rd period of their playoff game against the Jr Terriers, Seahawks Hockey Club was down 4-1 before a 5 goal comeback. Again in the opening round, they had their backs against the wall down 1-0 in the series and 2-1 entering the 3rd. ‘03 Mike Collett would score mid way through the 3rd and then in overtime to force a winner take all game 3 this weekend.
#2 Boston Jr. Rangers vs. #3 East Coast Wizards
Results
Game 1 : Boston Jr Rangers (3) vs East Coast Wizards (2)
Game 2 : Boston Jr Rangers (3) vs East Coast Wizards (2) 3OT
A matchup between two top programs in the EHL, both full of college prospects and scoring ability. Boston Jr Rangers head coach Rich DeCaprio picked up his 300th win in game 1, before a game for the ages in game 2. The triple OT thriller was capped off by ‘03 Kaleb Miller on a short side snipe from a perfectly placed pass by ‘03 Bret Beale.
The SUNY Brockport commit scored 2 goals in each game vs the Wizards, while both goaltenders, East Coast’s ‘05 Brayden Ingram and Boston’s ‘04 Ayden Pierce were tested throughout the series, with shots ending in game 2 71-53 in favor of East Coast.
#1 Railers Jr. Hockey Club vs. #4 Connecticut Chiefs
Results
Game 1 : Railers Jr Hockey Club (6) vs Connecticut Chiefs (1)
Game 2 : Railers Jr Hockey Club (11) vs Connecticut Chiefs (3)
The top team in the EHL regular season with 74 points and just 8 regulation losses, the Railers dominated their opening round series against Connecticut, outscoring the Chiefs 17-4 over 2 games. ‘04s Edouard Souliere and Austin Jerk each have 3 goals over the 2 games, with 13 different players finding the back of the net.
#2 New York Apple Core vs. #3 Providence Hockey Club
Results
Game 1 : New York Apple Core (3) vs Providence Hockey Club (1)
Game 2 : New York Apple Core (2) vs Providence Hockey Club (1) OT
After a controlled 3-1 win in game 1, New York was on the ropes in game 2 Friday night until a late 3rd period goal by ‘04 Luke Golisano forced OT. ‘05 Hunter Lee scored the OT winner to send the Apple Core to the Central Division Finals mid way through the first overtime, strong carrying the puck on a great individual effort.
#1 New Jersey Bears vs. #4 Philadelphia Little Flyers
Results
Game 1 : Philadelphia Little Flyers (4) vs New Jersey Bears (1)
Game 2 : Philadelphia Little Flyers (3) vs New Jersey Bears (1)
Philadelphia entered the playoffs as the 4th seed, but finished just 3 points from #3 Team Maryland and 6 points from #2 New Jersey 87s. In the play-in game vs #5 Philadelphia Hockey club, ‘04 Dante Vassallo’s goal began a 4 goal 2nd period to get Philadelphia to the semifinals vs the top seed New Jersey Bears.
This momentum continued as Philadelphia would complete the upset, powered by ‘03 Trevor Kruczzek up front (4G 1A), and stellar, calming play in net from ‘03 Ronnie Petrucci.
#2 New Jersey 87's vs. #3 Team Maryland
Results
Game 1 : New Jersey 87s (3) vs Team Maryland (2)
Game 2 : New Jersey 87s (3) vs Team Maryland (2)
After taking game 1 3-2, New Jersey advanced to the South Division final on ‘05 Alex Hair’s first of the playoffs mid-way through the 3rd period of game 2. With 6 different goal scorers and averaging 44 shots in the series, the 87s are finding ways to break through in tight games.