After being swept by Apple Core in late November the Jersey Hitmen had long awaited their chance for a little revenge on their rivals from Long Island, and this past weekend they got exactly that. Apple Core traveled to Wayne this past weekend boasting a league best record of 31-2-0-0. However, a determined Hitmen team swept the league leaders by virtue of a 4-1 win on Saturday and a thrilling 4-3 overtime win on Sunday.

It didn’t take the boys from Jersey very long to get going on Saturday. Michael Bronzo found the back of the net just over three minutes into the contest when he ripped a snap shot over the blocker of Josh Blum. Scott Steinel and Connor Clifton picked up assists on the play. However, Apple Core would draw even before the end of the period when Ron Kokas found Michael Cambria streaking to the backdoor for a tap in.

After a hard fought, scoreless second period the Hitmen pulled away in the third. RJ Burns netted the eventual game winner just 1:34 into the period with help of Connor Leen and newcomer Jason Healey. David Ramos would put the Hitmen up by two just under five minutes later when he Nick Lotito and Tim Clifton won a net front battle and Ramos banged home his opportunity. Bronzo would pick up his second goal of the game at 13:21 to ice the contest. Kenny Pilanski and Brad Campagna had assists on the play. Matt Braun made 36 saves in the winning effort.

Sunday’s game was one of momentum swings. In the second period Jersey would draw first blood once again as newcomer Andrew Canitano knocked a puck out of mid air for his first goal as a Hitmen at 10:53. Michael Bronzo and Scott Steinel continued their strong weekend picking up assists on the play. David Ramos would pick up his second goal of the weekend at 14:57. Tommy Lindquist hit Nick Lotito with a nice outlet pass and Lotito fired a hard low shot on net before Ramos buried the rebound.

The Hitmen seemed to put the game out of reach early in the third when Michael Bronzo scored his third goal of the weekend with the help of Scott Steinel and Michael Janson. However, Apple Core would storm back with three goals of their own. Michael Brennan bookended a Ron Kokas goal, his second coming with just over three minutes to play to tie the game.

Despite the shift in momentum the Hitmen maintained their composure as the top two teams in the Western Conference headed for overtime. The Hitmen would complete the sweep on the power play. After Brad Campagna made a backdoor feed to Tim Clifton who fired a puck on net before a wide open Ali Thomas swooped in to roof the rebound over Apple Core goaltender Jeff Molnar with less than two minutes to play in the extra session. Matt Braun was solid in net for the second straight day posting 43 saves to pick up the victory.