Philadelphia Little Flyers vs. New Jersey 87s

Saturday, Nov. 7

5 p.m. @ IceWorks Skating Complex

BOX SCORE

The Little Flyers EHL Premier team got off to a strong start this weekend, taking a 3-0 lead into the third period of Saturday’s game against New Jersey.

Thomas Yocum scored his first career junior goal with Philadelphia at the 10:02 mark of the opening period. Tyler Law started the play off with a pass down low to Steve Griffin. After wrapping around the back of the net, Griffin danced around an 87s defender at the faceoff circle and dropped the puck off for a Yocum blast at the point.

Ryan Kertis inserted himself in on the action with just over two minutes remaining in the first. Jack Ellis and Griffin connected at the right corner boards before Ellis cut to the front of the net and found Kertis backdoor for his first career junior goal.

The Little Flyers extended their lead with 43 seconds to go in the second period. Ellis picked off a pass in the neutral zone and sent Price forward on the wing. Price deked wide and chipped the puck in front before tapping a rebounder home for his fifth tally of 2020-21.

Things unraveled in the third for PLF. New Jersey struck at 4:44 and 10:09 on goals from Luke Satkowski and Dom Migliorato.

Kelly Stroik fired back at 10:33. Price took the initial shot but it went wide left. Jon Rineer was there to corral the puck off the backboards and put a quick shot on goal. Stroik came flying in for a rebound tap-in to make it 4-2.

But the 87s kept coming. Satkowski scored again at 11:57 and back-to-back goals by Andrew Walsh pushed New Jersey to a 5-4 victory. 

Ronan Marley got the start in net for the Little Flyers. He made 27 saves on 32 shots.

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Little Flyers vs. 87s

Sunday, Nov. 8

12:30 p.m. @ Jersey Shore Arena

BOX SCORE

The 87s jumped on the Little Flyers early in the second half of the home-and-home set.

Walsh and Patrick DeMarinis each scored in the first period and New Jersey outshot Philadelphia, 12-7.

Stroik scored the lone goal of the second period. Nicholas Bouchard and Yocum were credited with assists on Stroik's power-play marker.

Satkowski, DeMarinis and Hugh McGuigan all found the back of the net in the third period to give the 87s a 5-1 victory.

Trey Mattern was busy in net for PLF. He finished the afternoon with 32 saves on 37 shots.

Loose pucks
The Little Flyers were a perfect 5 for 5 on the penalty kill this weekend. They went just 1 for 7 on the power play, however. … Stroik has three goals and an assist in his last four games. He has a team-high six tallies this season. ... Bouchard currently ranks third in the EHL Premier in scoring with 18 points. ... Next up for the Little Flyers is a home-and-home with the New Jersey Renegades. Puck drop Saturday, Nov. 14 will be at 7:15 p.m. at Aspen Ice. PLF will return home Sunday, Nov. 15 for a 3 p.m. tilt at IceWorks Skating Complex.

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Bouchard, Mattern praised by EHLP

A pair of Little Flyers received league honors last week. 

Bouchard was named one of the EHL Premier Top Performers for Week No. 6. The Newark, Delaware native recorded a combined two goals and two assists last weekend. 

The 2000 birth year is enjoying a fantastic start to 2020-21 with 18 points in 12 games. He recorded nine goals and 24 assists in 35 games for PLF last season.

Mattern was rewarded for his stellar play between the pipes. The EHL Premier named him one of three October Stars of the Month.

The Manahawkin, New Jersey native went 5-3-0 in eight starts during that span.

One of the youngest players in the entire league this season, Mattern has posted a .901 save percentage and has made 210 saves on 233 shots thus far in 2020-21. 

The 2003 birth year recorded his first career junior shutout on Halloween night, making 24 saves in a 7-0 win over the New Jersey 87s.