EHLP: Little Flyers Wins First Road Game of the Season
(Photo Credit: Lindsay Tendler)

Aston,Pa -- After going 1-1 in their inaugural weekend of play in the Eastern Hockey League Premier division, the Little Flyers hit the road for a pair of games this last weekend.  First up was a trip to New Jersey to face off against the Wildcats.

The Little Flyers offense wasted no time in this one as just :18 seconds into the first period, center Austin Mazzulo won a faceoff back to Eric Maard at the point, Maard sent a slap shot through traffic and into the back of the net.  Philadelphia's defense would be tested in the first period, as they were shorthanded twice.  Kolin Grogesky and the defense were up to the task, shutting down the Wildcats power play.  

Shorthanded once again midway through the second period, Kyle Scott found himself on a breakaway and beat the Wildcats goaltender to take a 2-0 lead.  The Little Flyers special teams were back at it two and a half minutes later when Ryan Baccino deflected a Matt Crane shot into the net.  Philadelphia held a 3-0 lead heading into the third period.

Ryan Sharkey, who scored five goals on Opening Weekend, got into the scoring in a big way in the third.  At the 3:43 mark Sharkey took a pass from Max McAllister and backhanded it home for his 6th goal of the season.  Five minutes later, Kyle Scott and Sharkey went into the Wildcats zone on a 2-on-1, Scott's shot was saved but Sharkey followed the play to score his second goal of the game.  The Wildcats got on the board late in the period to spoil Kolin Grogesky's shutout bid.  Philadelphia would hold on to the four goal lead and win the game 5-1.  Grogesky picked up his second win of the season with a 25 save performance. 

On Sunday the Little Flyers had a rematch with cross town rival Philadelphia Jr. Flyers.  Seven days prior the two teams combine for a 20 goal game with the Jr. Flyers taking it by a final score of 12-8. 

Special teams would be the name of the game in the first period.  The Jr. Flyers got on the board first with a power play goal with eight minutes left in the first period.  Ryan Baccino would answer back a few minutes later with a power play goal of his own to tie the game at 1-1.  Just over a minute after Baccino tied the game, the Jr.Flyers regained the lead with another power play goal.  The Jr. Flyers added to their lead in the final 2:09 of play, scoring an even strength goal then a shorthanded goal with just: 31 left on the clock in the first period. 

The second period would barely see any five on five action as the two teams combined for 16 total penalties.  The only goal of the period came off the stick of Little Flyers forward Sam Clapinson.  Brett Turner fed a cutting Clapinson a perfect pass through the slot for the power play goal.  

Kyle Scott pulled the Little Flyers closer with a shorthanded goal just: 08 into the third period,  the goal was his 5th of the season.  The visiting Little Flyers couldn't build momentum as they found themselves shorthanded with back to back penalties within the first five minutes of the period.  The Jr. Flyers took advantage of the power play, adding some much needed breathing room with a goal at the 4:42 mark to extend the lead back to two goals.  A five minute major late in the third period put the game out of reach when the Jr.Flyers scored another power play goal, their 3rd of the day.  Ryan Creenan kept the Little Flyers in the game most of the day, making 51 saves.  

The Little Flyers are back in action this weekend with a home and home series against the defending EHL Premier Champion, Philadelphia Revolution.  The two teams will face off on Saturday at the Revolution Ice Gardens for game one then play on Sunday at 4:15 at IceWorks Skating Complex, the home of the Little Flyers.   All games can be viewed live on HockeyTv.com with a subscription or follow online at easternhockeyleague.org for updates.