Photo Credit: JYost Hockey, Justina Yost

Aston, PA — After dropping their first game of 2018 to the Revolution last week, the Little Flyers EHL team looked to bounce back against their cross town rival, Philadelphia Jr.Flyers.

          The EHL’s reigning Goalie of the Month, Alex Henson, was in net for the Little Flyers on Wednesday afternoon.  The Little Flyers spent most of the first period in the Jr.Flyers zone but couldn’t find the back of the net early in the period.  Just past the midway point of the period, the Jr.Flyers found themselves on the power play with a chance to take the lead.  Henson and the stingy Little Flyers defense shut down the power play opportunity to keep the game scoreless.  With less than four minutes left in the opening period, the Little Flyers got a power play chance of their own.  Defenseman Ziki Mroz sent a shot towards net that was knocked down at the side of the Jr.Flyers net.  Mitchell Hall battled the puck loose to the the front of the net where Ricky Walsh deposited the puck into a wide open net.  The goal was Walsh’s 5th of the season.  The Little Flyers took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission, outshooting the Jr.Flyers 15-6.

          Little Flyers defenseman Nick Daluisio doubled his team’s lead just over five minutes into the second period.  Hall played the puck behind the Jr.Flyers net to linemate Stanislav Haurus, Haurus’ wraparound attempt was stopped and the puck found its way to the slot.  Daluisio wound up and fired a slap shot from the slot past the Jr.Flyers net minder for his 2nd goal of the season.  The Little Flyers then found themselves shorthanded for almost five minutes straight that included two 5-on-3 chances for the Jr.Flyers.  Once again a complete team effort by Henson and the penalty killing units shut down the Jr.Flyers offense to keep the visiting team off the scoreboard.  With time winding down in the second period, the Little Flyers were on the power play for the second time in the game.  Joey Savel sent a shot towards the Jr.Flyers net, Nate Mickey gathered the rebound and backhanded the puck across the goal line for his 10th goal of the season.  Little Flyers defenseman Nick Magill-Diaz assisted on the play.  

          Holding a 3-0 lead in the third period, the Little Flyers looked to add to the lead, firing shots from all angles towards the Jr.Flyers net.  Midway through the period, the Jr. Flyers had their best chance of the period to get on the scoreboard with their fifth power play of the game but were unable to capitalize.  Less than two minutes later, the Little Flyers added to their lead on Cade Street’s first goal of the season.  Ziki Mroz and Joey Savel assisted on Street’s first career goal as a Little Flyer.  Henson remained perfect through the game, stopping all 24 shots he faced to improve to 9-1 with the Little Flyers.

          Henson and the Little Flyers will be Home this weekend as they host two Northern Conference opponents.  On Saturday, the New England Wolves visit Aston, PA for the only time this season with the game set for a 6:15 PM puck drop.  Then on Sunday, the Little Flyers welcome the Vermont Lumberjacks for a 12:15 PM game.  As always, all Little Flyers Eastern Hockey League action can be seen live on HockeyTV.