Hottest Team in Empire League: Syracuse Stars

 

The Stars are returning home as the hottest team currently in the Empire League as they take on the Jersey Hitmen at home this weekend. They currently have a 10 game winning streak after downing the Hitmen in Wayne, NJ last weekend 5-4 in a shootout and 4-3.
Saturday’s game was a hard fought game going back and forth between the two squads. The Stars got on the board early with a goal from Anthony Eno at the 1:30 of the game. The Hitmen then took a 2-1 lead on goals from John Redgate and Jim Martello midway in the first. Dan Briggs’ goal late in the period tied the game 2-2 as the Stars headed into the first intermission. Martello’s second goal of the game was the only goal in the second period. In the third the Hitmen built their lead to 4-2 as Chris Fersini scored at 2:56 in the third. The Stars began their comeback as Briggs scored again shortly after the Fersini’s goal. The Stars completed the comeback as Alex Tuch scored with just under 6 minutes remaining in the game to tie the game at 4-4 and forced the game into overtime. Following a scoreless 5 minutes the two teams went to a shootout and Luke Kirwan of the Stars scored the only goal during the shootout round to give the Stars a 5-4 come from behind victory to extend their winning streak.

In the Sunday game the Stars completed the weekend sweep as they downed the Hitmen 4-3. Alex Tuch was a major pain to the Hitmen as he was involved in all four Stars tallies as he had two goals and two assists. Scoring the other goals were Nick Papas and Nick Mercurio.

The Hitmen will seek to redeem themselves this weekend as the series will resume at the Cicero Twin Rinks. The Stars meanwhile will seek to extend their 10 game winning streak. The last time the Stars had a 10 game winning streak was back in the 2005-06 season.