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HITMEN TOO TRICKY FOR CORE

10/18/2012, 6:30pm EDT
By Jersey Hitmen

Wayne, NJ- With Halloween around the corner and the EJHL fall season in full swing, last night’s Hitmen vs. Apple Core game was only missing ghouls and goblins. There were tricks, two hat tricks to be precise off the sticks of Tim Clifton and Jason Stephanik, and there were treats, 11 Hitmen with multiple point nights. When the dust settled, the Hitmen rode four power play goals and two shorthanded goals to a 12-4 victory over the Core.

The twelve-goal outburst pushed the Hitmen's offensive stats to a staggering 55 goals scored in just 11 league games, good for tops in the EJHL. The four power play goals raised the Hitmen powe rplay percentage to 27%. All this offense, while maintaining the league's top penalty kill unit at 93% and league's stingiest goals against defense, giving up just 20 goals in 11 contests. Last night’s offensive outburst was spearheaded by the Clifton, Stephanik, Henke, Lopez, Taff power play unit which went 4 for 4 on the night. With the extra attacker, Stephanik lit the lamp twice, Clifton had 1 goal and 3 assists and Henke score once and added 2 assists. Chris Taff and Danny Lopez also chipped in with assists on the PP.

"I thought last night’s effort was the most complete game we had put together all season," said GM/Head Coach Toby Harris after the game. "Coach Hunt and I have been stressing to our team all season that special teams are difference makers and that you must cash in on power play opportunities, especially this season. There is so much parity in the EJHL this year and so many great players that when you have the extra attacker, or you are down a man, the intensity level has to go up, and tonight we did that on both ends."

Harris went on to say, "Anytime you score 6 specialty team goals, you should not lose, and tonight we illustrated that. I thought Tim Clifton (3 goals, 4 assists) and Jason Stephanik (3 goals, 1 assist) were dynamic tonight, but more importantly, I thought the supporting cast was just as dialed in. I really look forward to where we go from here." 

Harris, post-game, also mentioned the hot play of goaltenders Chris Funkey and Tanner Creel in the early season. He also spoke about guys like Josh Henke, Brendan Bradley, Brock McGinn and Connor Costello “flying under the radar” as they are putting together very solid seasons early and aiding in the Hitmen's rise to the top of the southern division.

- Courtesy of Jersey Hitmen

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