Hitmen Snap the Stars Streak
The Syracuse Stars rallied from a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Jersey Hitmen 5-4 in overtime on Saturday night. Alex Tuch got the Stars the early lead with an unassisted goal in the first. Jersey then scored the next 4 goals with two in the first from John Redgate, a shorthanded one and took the lead by a goal from Chris Fersini with just 3 seconds left in the period for a 2-1 lead into the first intermission. Following a scoreless second period the Hitmen built what looked like a commanding 4-1 lead with goals from Adrean Copeland and Robby Marsanico with 9:13 remaining in the game. The never say die Stars then scored 3 goals in 3 minutes, two by Luke Kirwan and Tuch's second of the game with just 14 seconds to force the game into overtime. In the overtime session the Stars completed the comeback with Tuch getting his hat trick 49 seconds into the extra period to gain the 5-4 win. With the victory the Stars winning streak is now 11 games.
The Hitmen looking to redeem themselves after a total collapse from last night's game were able to come out firing as they defeated the Stars on Sunday 6-5. Once again the Hitmen scored first as John Redgate tallied early in the first. Luke Kirwan's first goal of the game tied the game two minutes later. The Hitmen then built up a two goal lead as Evan Byrnes and Chris Fersini gave them at 3-1 advantage. The Stars Alex Brink scored an unassisted goal in the final minute of the period to cut the lead to 3-2 going into the first intermission. In the second period the two teams each scored two goals with the Stars goals coming from Kirwan giving him a hat trick for the game. Entering the third period down a goal and looking to tie a franchise record of a 12 game winning streak; Nick Bilchik scored the game winner early in the final stanza giving the Hitmen a 6-4 lead. The never say die Stars tried to rally again late in the game with a goal from Alex Tuch on the power play goal with 1:20 left but this time the rally fell short as the 11 game winning streak comes to an end.
The Stars will travel down to Long Beach this weekend to take on New York Applecore.
