The Lockport Express dropped a pair of games over the weekend in New Jersey as they faced off against the 2015-16 NA3EHL champions, Jersey Shore Wildcats. Saturday’s loss was 4-0, that was closer than the scoreboard indicates, while Sunday’s match up saw them drop a 3-2 decision.
In Saturday’s game, the Express played a tight game with the Wild Cats. There was no scoring in the opening frame, and only one penalty. Jersey Shore opened the scoring in the second with a goal by Gannon Erickson at 2:34. The teams traded penalties during the period, but no power play goals were scored.
In the third period, Lockport was forced to kill off a 5-minute major on a Michael Sokol penalty. Frederick Schaljo scored 35 seconds into the penalty to give Jersey Shore a 2-0 lead. Antonio Filippello stretched the lead to 3-0 just after the penalty expired, and Michael Gulawsky added the insurance marker at 18:42 to cement the 4-0 victory for the Wildcats.
The game Sunday saw the Express take an early lead on a Blake Bennett goal at 14:50 of the first period. He was assisted by Andrew Logar and Luca Mazzo. Lockport would exit the period holding onto a 1-0 lead.
In the second, Jersey Shore tied the game on a Michael Gulawsky tally at 2:54. The would take their first lead of the day at 15:15 when Frederick Schaljo drove one home. The Wildcats would hold that 2-1 lead into the second intermission.
Brandon Schweickert knotted the game at 2-2 with a marker at 8:15 of the third. He was assisted by Aaron Shahin and Frankie Bodami. Tyler Allen notched the game winner for Jersey Shore at 11:22, assisted by Michael Gulawsky and Travis Nemeth.
Sunday’s game was a well disciplined game by both teams. Each team had a single penalty for the contest. Lockport goaltender, Sam Fitzpatrick, faced 104 shots in the two games, making 97 saves.
"We outplayed them most of the weekend at even strength, but we ran into some very hot goaltending," head coach Frank Vecchio explained.
Lockport will return to New Jersey for a trio of games against the Skylands Kings, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Kings have not played since the Winter Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota. They currently trail the Express in the standings by a single point, although Lockport still holds two games in hand.
Northeast Division Standings (as of January 11, 2017)
Team
|
GP
|
W
|
L
|
OTL
|
SOL
|
Pts
|
Binghamton Junior Senators
|
32
|
30
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
61
|
Jersey Shore Wildcats
|
36
|
21
|
14
|
1
|
0
|
43
|
Syracuse Stampede
|
30
|
13
|
14
|
2
|
1
|
29
|
Roc City Royals
|
29
|
11
|
15
|
2
|
1
|
25
|
Lockport Express
|
27
|
7
|
20
|
0
|
0
|
14
|
Skylands Kings
|
29
|
6
|
22
|
1
|
0
|
13
|
Scoring Leaders:
Lockport Express Skylands Kings
Andrew Logar 14G, 24A, 38pts Steven Ford 9G, 24A, 33pts
Domenic Senese 10G, 11A, 21pts Eric Vanderhoff 17G, 14A, 31pts
Blake Bennett 13G, 7A, 20pts Craig Garrigan 18G, 9A, 27pts
The Lockport Express will return to Cornerstone Ice Arena on January 21st, with a game against the Roc City Royals at 8pm. All home games can be heard LIVE on niagaraswatercooler.com.
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