Hockey / Empire Juniors end season

Empire Juniors end season

Date:  Source: EJHL Tampa Bay Juniors

The Tampa Bay Juniors were 4th seed at the Empire South post-season tourney behind the Florida Jr. Blades, Atlanta, Hampton Roads, with East Coast being the 5th seed. The Juniors opened against Hampton Roads on Friday, February 24th, having lost twice to them during the regular season. After beating Hampton Roads 6-4, the Juniors were just 1 period awayfrom going to the USAH National tournament. For the 1st 2 periods the game against the Whalers was a clinic of puck control, offensive opportunities and defensive play, with the Juniors building a 6-0 lead. Hampton Roads cut into the lead in the third, but the deficit was too much for them to overcome, with Tampa Bay skating to the 6-4 lead. Daniel Fritz scored twice, with Wade Simon, Nick Reed, Ben Winter and Dustin Disbro all scoring once each. Kyle Gertz made 28 saves for the Juniors, who were 1 for 3 on the power play and 2 of 3 on the penalty kill.

 
On Saturday, February 25th, the Juniors met the always tough Atlanta Knights, a team they had split the season series with. Despite being shorthanded going into the playoffs with 3 players on the shelf with season-ending injuries, the Juniors skated to a scoreless tie through 40 minutes. The Knights opened up the offense in the third, scoring twice in 33 seconds and skating to a 5-2 win. Ryan Odgers and Ben Winter scored for Tampa Bay, with Kyle Gertz making 41 saves. The Juniors were 1 for 2 on the power play and 1 of 1 on the penalty kill.
 
Later that day, the Juniors' season ended with a thud, losing to the Florida Junior Blades 12-0. After trailing just 1-0 after one, the Blades scored 7 in the second and 4 more in the third. Aaron Wise and Kyle Gertz combined for 50 saves. Tampa Bay was 0 for 4 on the power play and 1 of 2 on the penalty kill. Counting playoffs, the Juniors ended the season with a record of 20-21-0-2.