PHOTO CREDIT: JUSTINA YOST 

The JRFlyers had a bye to start the EHL Premier Division Playoffs. They waited for the result of the Philadelphia Little Flyers vs New Jersey Renegades to see who they would play. The Renegades went on to win in overtime, so the matchup was set. Coming into Saturdays game, the JRFlyers won all four meetings in the regular season against the Renegades.

In the 1st period each team traded chances and had a power play opportunity, but neither would go on to the scoresheet. The JRFlyers led in shots 14-6. Late in the 2nd period the JRFlyers were shorthanded, they forced a turnover and sent a shot on goal. (G) Padilla made the save giving the JRFlyers an offensive zone faceoff. Carsello won the ensuing faceoff and went around the net and beat Padilla to the other side for a wraparound goal shorthanded for the 1-0 lead. Just a few minutes later the JRFlyers headed into the offensive zone. Smith retrieved the puck in the corner and centered it to Tremblay. He had two men on him, so Tremblay slid the puck to a wide open Matt Wood and he fired a shot off the post and into the net making it 2-0. The goals would come less than two minutes apart. In the 3rd period the Renegades would respond. Early in the 3rd the Renegades kept up the pressure and the JRFlyers failed to clear. A loose puck out in front went in favor of the Renegades to cut the lead 2-1. The JRFlyers took a penalty shortly after that and the Renegades headed out to a power play. The Renegades would cash in on their chance and beat (G) Colella tying the game 2-2. Both teams would get one more power play chance in the period but would not be able to score. The JRFlyers would carry the pace of play and dominated in the shot category but Padilla would keep them off the board. At the end of regulation shots were 48-23 JRFlyers. In the overtime the JRFlyers continued the heavy offensive pressure but again (G) Padilla made numerous key saves. The Renegades had their chances as well but (G) Colella was solid in net for the JRFlyers. The overtime would end with the goaltenders stealing the show and a second overtime was needed. The second overtime would have chances going each way as Padilla and Colella would continue to stand tall. Late in the period defenseman Justin Brown was behind his own net. He started to rush up the ice, and then sent to puck to Matt Wood at the Renegades blue line. Brown continued skating and Wood gave it right back Brown who went into the offensive zone and sniped a shot that went bar down for the 3-2 win and a spot in the Southern Conference Finals.

“It was amazing. I heard the ring off the crossbar and saw it go in, it was a great relief knowing that we are going to the next round.” Aughey

“I knew in the overtime we would break through eventually. He (Padilla) is a great goalie, but I knew if I keep the end of my deal that the team would come through and get the win.” Colella

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy because they have solid goaltending. We made a couple of mistakes that led to them scoring. I thought we played well and we kept our foot on the gas, I think we needed a little more traffic in front of the net, but we stuck to our game plan. I was relieved that it was over. Overtime is a lot more stressful when you add playoffs on top of it. Brown got the goal and that doesn’t shock me. He jumps up into the play and helps the offense when its necessary.” Skalski

The Conference Final are set, and the JRFlyers will take on their division rivals Philadelphia Revolution. On Monday night, the Revolution headed to New Jersey and defeated the 87s 7-4 to earn their ticket to the Conference Finals. Let’s look at the season series: it favors the JRFlyers with a record of 3-2-1. The JRFlyers ended the regular season with an eight game win streak including two wins over the Revolution 2-1 and 10-3. The Revolution won the title last year and eliminated the JRFlyers along the way. This year the JRFlyers look to reverse that outcome and head to Rhode Island for the Championship.

“We know it’s going to be a tough series and hard fought. It will get chippy but that’s what rivalries bring, you couldn’t ask for a better matchup.” Aughey

In the win against the 87s the Revolution were led by Jared Wagenmann as he put up 2G 2A, and Ian Hibshman 1G 1A. Goaltender Anthony Shrum picked up the win in goal. Looking at goaltender matchups, Colella is 2-1 (loss in OT) against the Revolution, and Savino is 1-2. For the Revolution, Simmerman has three wins, while Shrum had not gained a win against the JRFlyers this season. The Conference Finals should be great and exciting hockey especially after already having played each other six times throughout the season. The teams know one another so execution will be key in this Best of Three Series.

Game Schedule

Game 1    Saturday     4pm     Ice Line

Game 2    Sunday        4:15pm   Revolution Ice Gardens

Game 3    Monday      3pm     Ice Line  **If Necessary

By: Joe Sindoni

Director of Broadcasting