Aston,PA — After last weekends game at the Revolution was rescheduled due to ice conditions, the Little Flyers EHL Premier team was back on the ice this past weekend for a pair of games against the New York Applecore.

     Daniel Miller was in net for the Little Flyers, opposed by Dylan Tolbert for the shorthanded Applecore who dressed just 11 skaters on Saturday.  The Little Flyers were unable to capitalize on a power play chance midway through the first period.  It looked like the first period would end in a scoreless tie until Nico Trudeau was able to get the Little Flyers on the board with 24 seconds left to play.  Trudeau took a pass from Ryan Sharkey and Eric Maard to put the puck past Tolbert.  Philadelphia heavily outshot New York in the second period, 17-7.  With under a minute left to play in the second, Eric Maard set up Max McAllister for his 11th goal of the season to take a 2-0 lead into the third period.

     The Little Flyers dominated the third, playing mostly in the Applecore zone.  Nate Dunning added to the Little Flyers lead, scoring a power play goal just over two minutes into the period.  Dunning’s goal was assisted by Dylan Frasher and Patrick Swain.  Tempers flared for the Applecore shortly after that, leading to six more Little Flyers power plays.  Eric Maard’s even strength goal at the 10:49 mark increased the Little Flyers lead to 4-0.  Under a minute later, the Little Flyers scored the first of three straight power play goals.  Nico Trudeau scored his second goal of the game, followed by a pair of goals by Sam Clapinson.  Eric Maard picked up his third assist of the day when he set up a Nic Mongeon even strength goal to cap the scoring on the day.  The Little Flyers defense kept the puck away from Daniel Miller for the most part.  In the 8-0 victory, Miller stopped all 18 shots he faced on the way to his first shutout of the season.  

     Sunday’s game featured a different goaltending matchup as Ryan Creenan was between the pipes for the Little Flyers and Thomas Fornabia got the start for the Applecore.  New York looked to have a better showing in this game after Saturday’s 8-0 loss.  The Applecore struck first, putting the puck past Creenan just over five minutes into the game.  Less than a minute later the Little Flyers tied the game as Austin Mazzulo tipped a Ryan Baccino shot from the point past Fornabia, Joe Marcella picked up an assist on the goal.  Sam Clapinson scored his third power play goal of the weekend when he banged home a pass from Max McAllister in front of the Applecore net, Patrick Swain added a helper on the goal.  With under two minutes left in the period, the Applecore tied the game at 2-2 courtesy of a Michael Rappa goal.  Off of the ensuing face off, Joe Marcella gained possession of the puck in the Applecore zone and found Austin Mazzulo all alone in the slot.  Mazzulo put a wrist shot high over Fornbia’s shoulder for his second goal of the game.  Nineteen seconds later Mazzulo completed the first period hat trick with a highlight reel play.  Mazzulo, gained possession of the puck off the boards, danced around a defenseman and deked the goalie to backhand the puck into the back of the net.  The Little Flyers took a 4-2 lead into the first intermission.

     The Applecore cut the Little Flyers lead back down to one at the 6:50 mark of the second period with a Cole Bepko even strength goal.  A minute and a half later, the Little Flyers regained the two goal lead on Joe Marcella’s 7th goal of the season.  Philadelphia increased the lead to three when Max McAllister carried the puck around the Applecore net and up the wall to find Nick Super at the point.  Super sent a shot through traffic in front of Fornbia for his first goal of the season.

     Nate Dunning gave the Little Flyers a little more breathing room on his 10th goal of the season 7:52 into the third period.  Savay Thompson and Eric Maard sealed the win for the Little Flyers, adding goals later in the period.  Ryan Creenan made 27 saves in the 9-3 victory, picking up his 9th win of the season.

Maard Named EHLP TSR Hockey Defenseman of the Week 

On Tuesday the Eastern Hockey League Premier named Eric Maard the league’s TSR Hockey Defenseman of the Week.  The 5’8” native of Sweden played a big role in the Little Flyers offensive outburst against the Applecore.  Maard scored one goal and handed out three assists in Saturday’s 8-0 win and scored a goal in Sunday’s 9-3 victory.  Maard was key in the Little Flyers defensive effort, limiting the Applecore to 48 shots in two games.