After dropping both of their home games last weekend to Boston, the Philadelphia Flyers Junior Hockey team return to home ice this weekend, where they’ll take on their archrival the Jersey Hitmen for the first time this season in two games.  Saturday is a rare 3:55pm start time, and Sunday will be a 1:30pm start.  The Flyers will be running a special promotion for both games this weekend, where all kids 12 and under who wear a hockey jersey to the game get in for free.

Last weekend was a rough weekend for the Flyers, dropping both games.  On Saturday, Boston jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one period and did not look back.  They would take advantage of a five minute powerplay in the second period and jump out to a 6-0 lead before the Flyers would finally get on the board early in the third.  But Boston would eventually score shorthanded on a breakaway by Boston’s Dallas Farrell to take a 7-1 lead, and that’s where the game would go final.  On Sunday, the Flyers came out with a little more intensity to start the game.  Boston would start the game early once again by getting out to a 2-0 lead, but the Flyers would strike quickly to get to within one on a goal by Mario Tropea.  Boston would score less than two minutes later, but not long after that, Dan Galvez scored for the Flyers to again pull the game to within a goal.  Then with about seven minutes left to go in the second period, Boston would score again to make it 4-2.  Despite a series of opportunities for the Flyers to come back in the third, the game would end with that 4-2 score.  At the end of the weekend, the Flyers fell to 3-8-1 on the season.

The Hitmen currently sit in second place in the Premier Division, just one point behind the Islanders HC, with a 9-3 record.  Not a surprise to people around the league as the two time defending Dineen Cup Champions.  Last weekend they were in Syracuse, where they were able to take both games from the Stars.  A 4-3 win on Saturday, and a 6-1 win on Sunday.  Simon Boyko currently leads the team in points, notching five goals and eight assists on the year for 13 total points.  The rookie is currently committed to the University of Vermont.  The team is considered one of the most offensively sound teams in all of Junior hockey, so the Flyers blue line will have to step up their game against a tough Hitmen squad.  Josh Creelman returns to the team in goal, after earning Goaltender of the Year honors last year. 

Players to Watch:

For the Flyers, keep an eye on Barry Kneedler, who made his return to the lineup on Sunday against Boston after missing several games, as he will be expected to throw the body and be physical against this offensive juggernaut that the Hitmen have.

For Jersey, watch for newcomers Daniel Winslow and Brandon Less. Both are currently recruits to Quinnipiac and Dartmouth respectively.  Also watch for returning Khristian Acosta, also a Quinnipiac recruit.  And don’t forget Boyko, the current point leader on the team.