Tampa Bay Juniors - USPHL

Premier-
TBJ opened the showcase with a 4-3 loss to the New Hampshire Monarchs. Stanley Lucas started the scoring before the Monarchs responded with four of their own. Down 4-1 in the third period, the Juniors made a strong push, with goals coming from Sam Adler, and newcomer Aaron Frenkel. Unfortunately, 4-3 is how the game would finish.

Friday evening saw TBJ lose another tightly contested game, by a final score of 2-1 to the New Jersey Rockets. Stanley Lucas picked up the lone goal for TBJ, assisted by Derek Walker and Paul Flidr. Cade Kujawski made 37 saves on 39 shots for the loss.

Saturday’s match up against the league’s best team, the Utica Comets saw a score in favor of the Comets that was no indicative of the parity in the game. TBJ controlled a large majority of the offensive zone time and pressure, but a failure to score on opportunities and a few crucial breakdowns resulted in a 5-0 loss.

Sunday, TBJ wrapped up the IHC showcase with a triumphant effort against the Midwest Blackbirds. With a 26-4 shot advantage after the first frame, TBJ led 3-0.  Paced by a hat trick from Connor Reed, the Juniors left Boston with a 7-2 win to close out the weekend.

______________________________________

Elite-
TBJ opened up the showcase with a loss at the hands of the Springfield Pics. A slow, sluggish first game from the TBJ roster saw the game slip away in the third frame.

Friday evening’s match against the Boston Bandits saw the Juniors come back in good fashion. Nevada Woodring opened the scoring on an assist from Jonny Scheer. Boston would respond at 13:12 of the second period, before a long stretch of tied hockey. With just 1:03 left in the tied game, Ronan Keenan netted the game winner on assists from Scheer and Woodring. Rasmus Tillander would add some insurance on an empty net goal off a face-off won by Tim Ruf.

Saturday saw TBJ pick up a 5-3 win over the Potomac Patriots. Goals from Scheer, Woodring, and Max Weinstock were matched by 3 of their own from the Patriots. Again, late in the tied game, TBJ found a way to secure the lead. Justin Walker’s perfect back door pass to Weinstock set him up for his second of the game. Woodring would add an insurance marker to close the game out.

Sunday’s game against the New Jersey Rockets started off strongly, with TBJ taking a 2-0 lead 6:20 into the first period. However, the Rockets responded with 6 straight goals, mostly coming from counter attacks off of TBJ breakdowns. Ryan Bahula would add his second goal of the game, followed quickly by Bradley Burdick’s goal to bring TBJ closer at 6-4. The rockets would add an empty net goal to seal the game.




Both teams will be in action this weekend at home against the Atlanta Madhatters.