New York Apple Core Junior B CHA
News Flashes 2010-2011

As of Oct 28, 2011

           The Young Guns are un-holstered and firing away at their East Conference opponents, going 4 and 0 in their last four league games. The Guns after winning their game in Brewster 5-1 came home and took on Long Island rival Suffolk PAL at Long Beach Arena and the rivalry started right where it ended at the end of the season last year, back and forth play and lots of goals. The Core lead by Derek Caruso with FOUR goals gave the Suffolk team all they could handle with one on the Power Play and another shorthanded with line mate Captain Jon Novak’s four helpers, helped the Guns win their second home game of the season. The Blue Knights went up in the first minute of the game scoring on newly signed Brian August playing in his first ever Junior game, but August soon settled down and made some big time saves throughout the game. The Apple Core Gang came back at the mid way point of the first on Caruso’s first of 2 in the first period from Captain Jon Novak and Rob Delury. The Guns got another twenty seven seconds later from second year defenseman Brian Hurley with helpers going to rookie’s James Loglisci and Tarou Duffy, the Guns not done added number 2 for Caruso again from Novak 6 minutes later, PAL closed out the shoot em’ up first with a minute thirty four left to get back to one down.

Brian Hurley half way through the second gave the Core some breathing room again from Rob Delury, that two goals did not stand up long as PAL came right back on a broken play at the blue line. The goal by PAL did not last long as Caruso got the locals to toss the hats as he netted a NHL style one timer off a two on one from Jon Novak to restore the lead to five to three. The start of the third found the GUNS looking for more and opened a three goal lead as Charlie Fosso buried one off of a great board play by Eric Krupka and Pat Donahue. PAL not done roared back with three to tie the GUNS in a six minute span and had the Young Apple Core on their heels, and taking three bad penalties in the last part of the period. The Captain and Caruso killing penalties together all summer and fall broke up the PAL break out and Caruso nets number FOUR from Jon Novak who sprung him all alone in front and he made no mistake and scored the game winner shorthanded.

            Next up the Boys headed to Sunny Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, yea right not when these teams get together, the Core taking the Revolution team lightly found themselves down one to nothing after totally dominating the Philly team for the first five and half minutes half way through the period. The Guns came back three minutes later on a reversal of roles as Captain Jon Novak scored off a great feed from Derek Caruso to tie the score. The Guns now feeling pretty good about themselves came out a different team in the second and put up two  four minutes in to the second  as Rob Delury popped on in from Bennett O’Donnell and Pat Donahue, and three minutes later O’Donnell nets his from Delury giving the Core the two goal lead.   The Revolution came back strong in the third and closed the gap to one, but Derek Caruso restored the lead putting away the rebound off the Brian Hurley point shot, the Guns added another by second year forward Matt Cohen off a great play started by Bennett O’Donnell and a quick pass from Delury to Cohen who was left all alone out front where Cohen made no mistake. The Guns staff was not happy with some of the officiating at the end of the game as it seemed they wanted the game to look closer than  it should have been as the Guns had to kill two almost full five on three’s that the Philly team scored on one of the two.  The Core penalty killers came through and got Mark Zapson the win, new comer defensemen James Loglisci, Mike Rodriquez and Cameron Giertych got it done to seal the win.

Next up the same two teams met again Sunday morning same place just a different time almost a de ja’vous as the team finished with the same score  five to four, again the Core found themselves down in the first after dominating the Philly team for the first five and a half  minutes.  Jon Novak got the Guns even on helpers from line mate Atrie Aymong and defenseman Brian Hurley, and the Core not done scored again six minutes later just as their power play ended with Joe Quinn netting the insurance goal with Pat Donahue and new rookie Dillon Radin getting the assists. The second period found the Core starting the period killing off a five minute major penalty and giving up a power play goal in the first minute of the period and another goal just as the Core had killed another penalty to let Philly take a one goal lead and leaving the coaching staff scratching their heads, the Core again started to pick up their play and pressure the Revolution and draw a penalty, and the Long Beach Gang took advantage and rookie Tarou Duffy netted the power play tally form Eric Krupka and Bennett O’Donnell to even the score. The Core took the lead again early in the third and looked like they would add to the lead except for some bad shooting and great saves from the Philly net minder who kept it close and gave the Philly team the opening they needed as the Revolution tied the score on a missed check in the neutral zone that lead to the tying goal.

The Young Guns again roared back with Captain Jon Novak scoring on a power play with eight minutes to play to complete his hat trick and close out the scoring with help from Bennett O’Donnell’s never give up hard work behind the Revolution net to give the Guns their fourth straight win in the Western conference and move into third place with six games in hand on the division leaders.

Next up for the Boys from Long Beach away at Brewster

 Spent Shells:
The Core would like  to welcome new comers Brian August and Dillon Radin as well as Keiran Hurley to the team , the Core will be home for two with Philly the first weekend in November

As of Oct 11, 2011

            The Apple Core Young Guns got back on track after a ruff three game swing in Marlborough Massachusetts where the Young Guns got a welcome to the Junior level for real! Not only taking it on the chin but seeing the scouts from the colleges and pro teams was an eye opener all around the arena’s watching for the next player or players.

The Guns also want to thank Five Star Electric for sponsoring the bus trip

As of Sept 16, 2011

          The 2011/12 Hockey season is just around the corner, and the Apple Core Junior B Young Guns of the Eastern States Hockey League are reloaded for the season. The Guns starting the season with almost an entire new roster showed great promise in the Spring and Summer Show Cases they attended. The team lead by returning defensemen Eric Krupka, Artie Aymong and Brian Hurley looked real comfortable with new defensemen Brandon Gaynor, Mike Rodriquez, James Loglicsi and California import Cameron Giertych at the games, Associate  Coach Ron Scall stated this looks like the best group of defensemen we have ever started with. This year’s Young Guns are loaded up front at forward also with returning veterans Ryan Carroll, John Novak, Pat Donahue, Charlie Fosso and Matt Cohen adding in Derek Caruso, Tarou Duffy, Rob Delury, Shane Higgins and Joe Quinn who have shown a nose for the net and have been lighting the lamp. Head Coach Carroll said there were some pleasant surprises in forwards Bennet O’Donnell, Anthony Intravia who are joining the Junior ranks this season and worked hard and impressed the Apple Core Coaching Staff.

              General Manager and Empire Head Coach Henry Lazar at the Boston Showcase stated after the weekend the young group of players has a bunch of future Empire players and it looks like all Three Apple Core  team’s will be able to copy last  year’s accomplishment of getting players to the next level and having successful seasons lots of promise! The Guns playing in just Empire and EJ Show Case games all spring and summer competed and won games turning some heads around the league and the Show Case. The Guns all new goaltending duo of Matt Almengor and Mark Zapson look like they will give the new Apple Core Guns a chance to win every game which brought a smile to the Guns coaching staff, Coach Scall stated “it all starts from the net out!”. The all new Young Guns playing in the first  pre season Show Case in Philly competing against Metropolitan and Empire teams tied with the Empire team for the cross over spot but lost on the head to head format with the 5 – 3 loss to the NJ Empire Wildcats team. Apple Core rookie forwards Rob Delury, Joe Quinn and Derek Caruso showed the coaching staff that they are ready to play lighting the lamp over the tournament weekend. The defensive core lead by Eric Krupka, Brian Hurley and rookies Mike Rodriquez and James Loglicsi with back stops Matt Almegor and Mark Zapson have given the staff a great feeling heading into the inaugural season of the Eastern States Hockey League formerly known as the Continental Hockey League (CHA).  

            Spent Shells:

The Young Guns training camp started with the help of  New York Islanders Head Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach Garret Timms, the Apple Core Staff and players would like to thank him for his help on getting the players started in the right direction for the season and their Junior careers. The players were introduced to what the Pros are exposed to. The players worked real hard and impressed the Islander trainer with the effort.

On the injury front the Guns have a couple players on the mend;

hopefully a speedy recovery to Brandon Gaynor who is nursing a stress fracture and hopes to be back soon

Ryan Carroll still recovering from a lower body injury and still on the mend hopes to be back soon

The Young Gun players, parents and Coaching Staff want to wish the Empire and EJ teams a successful season and to the former Young Guns players continued success with the Empire, EJ, AJ and Met league teams they have graduated to, WE will be keeping an eye on you 

GOOD LUCK!
 

As of Sept 16, 2011

The 2010-11 season was a very successful one for the New York Apple Core Young Guns, both in terms of results and player development.  The Core finished the season 13-2-1 over the final sixteen games, and clinched a post season berth.  Although the Young Guns did not reach their ultimate team goal of making it to Nationals, Coaches Tom Carroll and Ron Scall accomplished what they set out to do each and every season....develop players to move on to the next level, and this past season proved to be their most successful yet.  A total of fourteen players from last season's squad have made the jump to the next level.

Three players will be moving on to play college hockey in the ACHA.  Jimmy Georgas will be between the pipes for nationally ranked Division 1 Stony Brook University, and Matthew Scarpato will be skating for D1 Villanova University.  Sean Duffy will be patrolling the blue line for D3 University at Albany.

Jeff Sumcizk will be playing with AJHL perennial power New York Bobcats, and Joey Petrizzo will be moving down south to skate with the Space Coast Hurricanes, while Jimmy Diamond will be with the Hampton Roads Junior Whalers, both in the newly formed EJ South Division.

Mark DeVaughn, Jon Kaszuba, Liam Pues, Nolan Pues, Ed Shinnick and Ben Sorkin have all moved up to Apple Core's Empire Junior team, while Dyaln Stuart and John McCabe will be making the jump to the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League, playing with the Metro Fighting Moose and New Jersey Rockets, respectively.

Best of luck to all, we will be watching!
 

As of Sept 16, 2011

The 2011-12 New York Apple Core ESHL team recently wrapped up a very successful preseason exhibition schedule against Empire, Met and ESHL teams.  The Young Guns moved 15 players from last year’s squad on to the next levels of junior and college hockey.  There are six players returning from last season’s playoff team; forwards Matt Cohen and Charlie Fosso will be counted on heavily to put the puck in the net, and defensemen Artie Aymong was gladly welcomed back as a late arrival, while Brian Hurley has already shown that he is aiming to take his game to the next level.  The two other returnees are newly named team captain Jon Novak, and alternate captain Eric Krupka. Krupka will be called upon to anchor the defense, while Novak, one of the top penalty killers in the league, will also be the mainstay up front.

The rest of the team is a solid group of young rookies.  Up front the aptly named “Kid Line” is comprised of Joey Quinn, Derek Caruso and Tarou Duffy.  The trio has already shown a terrific knack for putting the back in the net, and will be relied on heavily on the power play.  Bennett O’Donnell rejoins the Core, and looks as though he hasn’t skipped a beat owning the corners and being a major presence in both the offensive and defensive zones. 

Forwards Robert Delury and Shane Higgins also scored their share of goals in the preseason, and both are skilled puck handlers as well.

On the blue line Cameron Giertych from the left coast, and Mike Rodriguez both had a terrific camps and preseason showing they can more than handle time on the power play, as well as play steady in the defensive zone.  James Loglisci, yet another newcomer on the blue line has been the steadiest of the defenders, with a willingness to play the body.  Brandon Gaynor was a having a great preseason, but was cut short with a broken wrist.  Gaynor should be back by mid October, and will be sorely missed.

In between the pipes are Mark Zapson and Matt Almengor, both of whom had very solid camps and played well against some strong competition.

All in all the coming season brings with it much anticipation of the Young Guns reaching their goal of gaining a birth to Nationals.
Head Coach Tom Carroll, and Associate Head Coach Ron Scall will be returning behind the bench for their fourth season together.  The pair has been very happy with the overall commitment and attention to detail of the entire team and is expecting big things from this year’s squad.
 

Long Beach, NY….This past weekend saw the league leading Metro Moose come to town for another installment of this much heated rivalry.  The Moose came in riding a 22 game win streak, and Apple Core had a 10 game unbeaten string of its own.  The coaching staff knew that a victory over the Moose was almost a must for the team’s psyche and confidence, as well as sending a strong and clear message to the rest of the league that Apple Core is a real contender for the final CHA bid to Nationals. 

On Saturday the Young Guns came out fired up and took it to the Moose early.  Jon Kaszuba opened the scoring 3:32 into the opening period, with

Joey Petrizzo picking up the assist.  The Guns held onto the lead through the period, and went into the dressing room up 1-0, after one period.  The Core played a solid period, but between periods the coaches reminded the team that the second period has been their achilles heal all season. 

Sure enough the Moose came out strong to start the period, netting the tying goal 1:53 into the period.  Just under seven minutes later the Moose struck again and took a 2-1 lead.  The Guns dug their heals in and skated stride for stride with the Moose and with 37 seconds left in the middle stanza, and on the power play Nolan Pues tied the game at two off a feed from

Mark DeVaughn.  The second period ended, and it was a brand new game heading into the third.  Between periods the coaching staff felt that the Guns had played one of their weaker periods in quite a while, but all things considered being tied with twenty minutes to play was a nice position to be in.  They implored the boys that if they took it to the Moose the way they had in the first period that they could grab the two points.

The message got through and the Guns came out strong in the third and

Jeff Sumcizk scored a shorthanded goal, with Nolan Pues picking up the assist at the 4:25 mark.  The shorthanded goal was the Core’s league leading thirteenth of the season.  Just over seven minutes later Jimmy Diamond went bar down, to give the Core a two goal lead, off assists from Dylan Stuart and Ryan Carroll.  With 1:01 left in the game Nolan Pues cemented the win with his second tally of the game, an unassisted goal on the power play.

Jimmy Georgas was stellar in net, stopping 36 of the 38 shots he faced.  Georgas made several spectacular saves, and really picked the team up in the second period.

In the Sunday game everyone knew that the Moose were going to come out fired up, and sure enough they were all over the Guns from the opening faceoff.  Jimmy Georgas started off the way he ended on Saturday, standing tall to a barrage of Moose shots, until finally the Moose were able to beat him, taking a one goal lead on the power play with just under five minutes to play in the first period.  The period would end with the Moose up by a goal. 

The second period saw the boys from Long Beach bounce back strong peppering the Moose goaltender with shots until Ed Shinnick finally scored the equalizer, with Jeff Sumcizk picking up the assist. 5:24 into the period.  The score would remain knotted at one, with the teams really taking it to one another.  With the Guns shorthanded the Moose scored with 1:01 in the period to regain the lead, and the second period ended 2-1.  The Moose came out very strong in the final period jumping out to a 3-1 lead just 29 seconds into the period, and then increased their lead to 4-1 two minutes later.  There was a definite letdown on the Core bench, but the coaches settled the boys down letting them know there was a lot of hockey left.  With just under seven minutes left

Matthew Scarpato scored on the power play with Jon Novak picking up the assist.  Down 4-2 the Guns took it hard to the Moose, outshooting the opponents 14-7 for the period, but were unable to put anymore pucks in the net.

All in all this was a very strong weekend for the Young Guns, proving to themselves and the rest of the league that they can compete and win against anyone. 

Spent shells…Nolan Pues and Jeff Sumcizk continued their torrid scoring.  Pues who had 7 points in last Sunday’s game vs Frederick picked up another 3 points, and Sumcizk who had 9 points in the same game against Frederick added another 2 points.  On the injury front,

Pat Donahue (shoulder) is practicing with the team and is hopeful to be cleared for contact this week.  Ben Sorkin (foot) is skating again and is probable for next weekend, and Captain

Sean Duffy (chest) is day to day.  Next up for the Guns is a pair of games against Eastern Conference foes Bay State and Springfield at the Brewster Showcase.
 

Young Guns Continue Unbeaten Streak

Long Beach….The Apple Core Young Guns swept the weekend series from the Jersey Wildcats, and extended their unbeaten streak to 8 games, and winning streak to 5. 

On Saturday the Guns came out strong putting tremendous pressure on the Wildcats, controlling the puck for minutes at a time in the visitor’s defensive zone, but were unable to net the game’s opening goal until 9:03 in the period when Jon Novak converted a bounce off the end boards on a wide shot from the point.  That would be the only goal of the opening frame.  Between periods the coaches gave the team an earful, telling the players that they were one bad bounce away from a tie game, and the longer they let the Cats hang around the tougher the game was going to be.  The team was challenged to go out and in the second period and play the system, and most importantly finish.  Coach Scall challenged the team to put a five spot on the board, and apparently the messages got through loud and clear when just 1:19 into the period Liam Pues scored, and 1:07 later Nolan Pues gave the Core a 3-0 lead.  Novak added his second goal of the game, and Ben Sorkin and Joey Petrizzo also scored as the Guns netted 5 goals in the period to jump out to a 6-0 lead after two.  The third period began as the second ended as Jeff Sumcizk scored his 13^th of the season 30 seconds into the final period.  Just over 6 minutes later Jimmy Diamond was pulled down on a breakaway, and awarded a penalty shot.  This was Diamond’s second penalty shot of the season, and as he did the first time Jimmy made a nice deke and extended the Guns’ lead to 8-0.  Nolan Pues would add his second goal of the game to close out the scoring, and Jimmy Georgas picked up his first shutout of the season as the Guns blanked the Wildcats 9-0. 

Sunday Coach Carroll reminded the team that they’ve been in the same position of winning the first game of a series, and struggling in the second game.  He told the boys that the Cats were not going to roll over and die, and that it would take hard work and focus to finish off the series.  Mark DeVaughn opened the scoring 2:42 into the game with the Guns on a power play.  With good puck movement Devaughn found himself with open space at the point and blasted a slap shot into the net giving the Guns an early 1-0 lead.  As Coach Carroll warned this was a different day, and just 22 seconds later the Core gave up a 3 on 1 rush and Jersey made no mistake in converting and tying the game at one.  However Nolan Pues continued his torrid scoring giving the Core a 2-1 lead 1:08 later.  This was the beginning of what would be a 5 point game for the team’s leading scorer.  The period ended at 2-1, and once again the team was given an earful in between periods, and once again they rose to the challenge.  Ryan Carroll, Jeff Sumcizk and Pues scored three unanswered goals before the Wildcats scored a goal late in the period, but the damage was already done and the second period ended with Apple Core leading 5-2.  Nolan Pues opened the scoring 1:30 into the final period netting his hat trick, and team leading 20^th goal of the season.  The teams would trade goals, with Sumcizk closing out the scoring with his third goal of the weekend.  With a birth to Nationals still the goal of the season, the Guns are working hard to climb as high as possible in the standings before the playoffs begin.  The team is off next weekend, and then hit the road for a pair of games against the Freeze in Frederick, MD.

Spent Shells…..Assistant Captain Pat Donahue continues rehabbing a separated shoulder, and the team is hopeful he will be able to return in three weeks against rival and league leading Metro Moose.  Leading scorers for the weekend were Nolan Pues with 8 points and Jeff Sumcizk with 6.  Pues has moved up to 10^th in the league in scoring.  Congratulations to CHA All-Stars Pues, Ed Shinnick and Captain Sean Duffy.
 

                                                                                                                      1/16/10
            The Apple Core gang coming off the Holiday break and big win against the Pittsburgh Penguins headed to Brewster for two against the Bulldogs. The Young Guns with returning injured players and returnee Dom Rullo took it to Brewster this past weekend in their arena. The Core scored nine seconds into the game on Dom Rullo’s first since returning on assists from Ryan Carroll and rookie Ben Sorkin.   The Guns were firing from every barrel  (15 shots in the first) and soon took a two goal lead on Hunter O’Neill’s rip from top of the circle with Kenny Boudreau and Eric Krupka on the power play to put Brewster in the hole. The Dogs came back with one of their own while the on the power play with the Core two men down, to end the period two to one in favor of the Young Guns. The second period started the same as the first with the Core all over the Brewster boys, and the Guns firing again on Dom Rullo’s second off a great miss direction play and pass from behind the Brewster net by Ryan Carroll to restore the two goal lead and end the period. The third period started with the Apple Core Gang keeping the heat on with quality shots from entire team. The Core not done got a beauty from Ben Sorkin off a never stop in the corner play and pass created by team scoring leader Nolan Pues to open the gap to 4-1 on the power play. The Core again with the pressure on put the nail on the board with John (I’m really a goal scorer now) Novak’s goal driving it home from Joe Petrizzo and Matty Scrappy Scarpato getting the assists to all but put it out of reach. The Bulldogs playing for tomorrows rubber match netted a nice goal just as their power play had ended to close the gap. The Core wanting to send a message that they were not done got another from Jeff Sumcizk from Liam Pues and who else Nolan Pues to close out the score with the Core taking the returning game opener 6-2 with the Rubber match on Sunday.

Next up for the Guns New Jersey Wildcats at Long Beach  Sat 1- 22, 5:15 PM
and  Sun 23-11. 8:15 AM

The break comes at a great time to allow the bumps and bruises to heal from the regular season grind.    

                                                                                                                                   12/12/10
Long Beach….After a rough couple of weeks on the road the CHA Jr. B team looked forward to coming home to the friendly confines of Long Beach Arena for a series against the Philadelphia Revolution.  The Young Guns picked up a much needed four points, in convincing fashion.  In Saturday’s action the Core outshot the Revolution 61-16 in route to a dominating 8-1 victory.  Pat Donahue opened the scoring, giving the Guns a 1-0 lead 8:53 into the first period, but Philly would score the equalizer 4 ½ minutes later.  From that point on the game would belong to the boys from Long Beach.  The Pues boys would put the Core up 3-1 scoring a pair of goals 19 seconds apart.  Liam Pues picked up his fourth goal of the season, and not to be outdone cousin Nolan Pues notched his team leading 11^th goal.  Newcomer Ben Sorkin closed out the scoring in the second period scoring his 2^nd goal.  Up 4-1 after two, the Guns looked to take care of business in the third period.  Joey “Snipe Daddy” Petrizzo lived up to his self-proclaimed nickname with a highlight reel goal six minutes into the period, and John Mc Cabe scored the first of his two goals forty seconds later to give the Guns a 6-1 lead.  Veteran Jon Novak back from a broken arm showed he has some scoring left in his old body to give the Core a 7-1 advantage with 9:10 left in the game, and Mc Cabe would add the final goal with just under a minute left.  Goaltender Jimmy Georgas picked up his first win of the season since rejoining the Core last week.  Nolan Pues, Sorkin, Mc Cabe and Novak all tallied 3 points for the game.

Sunday the Guns looked to complete the sweep, knowing that they have not been impressive in the second games of series this season.  The Core won the opening draw and controlled the puck in the Revolution zone until “Sinpe Daddy” Petrizzo staked the Guns to an early lead just 58 seconds into the game.  However, the Revolution was unfazed and scored the equalizer just twelve seconds later.  Nolan Pues picked up 12^th of the season on the power play to give the Core a 2-1 lead, and defenseman Artie Aymong followed with his third of the season to increase the lead to 3-1.  Philly would come back again to cut the lead to one, but Mark DeVaughn pushed the lead back to two goals with a beautiful end to end rush, circling behind the Revolution net and circling back to the blue line before scoring from the right circle.  Philly came out strong in the second period, scoring two goals in the first 3 ½ minutes of the period to tie the game at four.

From that point on it would be all Apple Core.  Ben Sorkin netted a pair of goals 43 seconds apart to give the Core a 6-4 lead.  De Vaughn picked up his second of the game 3 ½ minutes later, and Hunter O’Neill closed out the scoring picking up the second goal of his comeback.  The Guns cruised through the third period, and outshot Philly 54-25 for the game.  Nolan Pues backed up his three point effort a day earlier, picking up another four points, while Jeff Sumcizk had a four point performance of his own, notching four assists. 

Next up for the Young Guns is a pivotal two game set next weekend in Long Beach against the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins.  The Penguins sit in second place in the Western Conference, just four points ahead of the Guns.

Spent Shells…..Forward Matt Scarpato (mononucleosis) will be back in the lineup after a long absence and defenseman Kenny Boudreau (broken foot) will also be back.
 

Long Beach….The CHA Jr. B team swept their weekend series against the Potomac Patriots, and are now unbeaten in their last 6 games.  In Saturday’s action the Core dominated the opening period, outshooting the Patriots 14-4.  Ryan Carroll opened the scoring 4:25 into the game, and Matt Scarpato doubled the lead with a shorthanded tally 45 seconds later.  Nolan Pues and Preston Rogers would add a goal apiece, and the first period ended with the Guns taking a 4-0 lead into the locker room at intermission.  In between periods the coaches reminded the team that the Patriots were not going to roll over and die, and sure enough the second period saw the team from Maryland score the only goal, and gain some momentum going into the third period down 4-1.  Potomac would score with 11:57 left in the third period to cut the lead to 4-2.  After hitting the post which would have cut the deficit to one goal, Dylan Stuart netted the third goal of his rookie season to give the Guns a 5-2, which would be the final score.  The Core outshot Potomac 50-22, the third straight game of 50 shots or more.

On Sunday the Young Guns would look to continue their winning ways.  Coach Carroll warned the boys before the game that it’s never easy to win the second game of a weekend series, and Potomac was going to give them all they could handle.  The Core’s newest arrival via a trade from Suffolk PAL, Josh Kogan opened the scoring with his first goal for his new team, just over 5 minutes into the game.  Before the game would end, Kogan would add 3 assists for a 4 point performance.  The first period ended with the Core leading 1-0.  Kogan’s linemate Ryan Carroll increased the lead to 2-0 just 2:13 into the second period, but the Patriots stormed right back scoring the next three goals in a span of 2:31, to take a 3-2 lead.  The Guns regained their composure and rattled off 4 unanswered goals of their own before the period would end.  A rejuvenated and motivated Jimmy Diamond sandwiched two goals around scores by Nolan Pues, and Sean Duffy, and the Core took a 6-3 lead into the locker room after two periods.  Five minutes into the third period Matt Scarpato would finally get the “breakaway monkey” off his back with a nifty move to increase the Guns lead to 7-3.  The teams would trade goals, with Carroll’s second goal, and third of the weekend securing an 8-4 win.  Once again the Young Guns broke the 50 shot plateau, outshooting Potomac 54-22.

Spent Shells….The line of Pues-Carroll-Kogan combined for 6 goals, and 12 points in the two games.  The Guns have taken 224 shots in the last four games.  On the injury front Jon Novak’s broken arm is now in a short cast, and he is targeting the weekend series in Pittsburgh November 20^th for his return to the lineup.  Next up for the Young Guns is a series at Suffolk PAL next weekend.

 
Long Beach….After a rough weekend at the CHA Showcase in New Hampshire, the CHA Jr. B team opened its home schedule, taking 3 of 4 points from the Frederick Freeze.  On Saturday the Freeze opened the scoring late in the first period, and added an early goal in the second to take a 2-0 lead.  Then the Guns awoke, scoring 3 unanswered goals in the second.  Jeff Sumcizk scored a pair of goals at 8:31 and 11:10, and Dylan Stuart added another 1:26 later.  The second period would close with the Core leading 3-2.  The third started with the as the second ended, as Jimmy Diamond netted an early goal giving the Guns a 4-2 lead.  However, Frederick had no quit and battled back with two goals later in the period to tie the game at four at the end of regulation.  The Core controlled play in OT with sustained pressure in the Freeze zone with numerous chances, but were unable to get the winner past the Freeze goaltender, Daniyal Hannan.  The game ended a 4-4 draw, and the boys knew they let a point slip by.

On Sunday the Guns came out determined to prove that Saturday’s tie was a fluke and completely dominated the Freeze in the opening period.  Eddie Shinnick opened the scoring on a shot from the point.  That goal was followed on yet another snipe from Sumcizk, and Jon Kaszuba scored on a breakaway to give the Core a 3-0 lead after one.  The Core outshot Frederick 16-3 in the period.  The Freeze would cut the lead to 3-1 early in the second period, but the Guns immediately brought the lead back to 3 goals on a fortunate bounce past Hannan.  The goal was credited to Nolan Pues, part of a 7 point weekend for the gritty center.  Like the day before the Freeze didn’t quit and once again scored the next goal, cutting the lead to 4-2, but this time the boys halted any chance of a Freeze comeback scoring 2 more second period goals.  Joey Petrizzo caught Hannan off-guard sliding a backhander along the ice through the five hole, and Sumcizk would give the Core a 6-2 lead after two periods, giving him back to back two goal games.  Kenny Boudreau closed out the scoring with a power play goal from the point.  It was Boudreau’s first goal since his return to Apple Core.  The Guns outshot the Freeze 39-18, and Peter Fosso was strong in the net earning the victory.

Spent Shells….The line of Pues-Sumcizk-Diamond combined for 6 goals, and 15 points in the two games.  On the injury front Pat Donahue will return this week from a hip injury, Artie Aymong will hopefully be back later in the week with a chest injury and Jon Novak made an appearance with his broken arm healing well, and seems to be ahead of schedule and is hopeful to return to the lineup in the first half of November.  Captain Sean Duffy strained his wrist at the end of Sunday’s game, but is not expected to miss any action. The Guns have yet to play a game this season with a complete lineup.  Next up for the boys is a pair of away games against the Philadelphia Revolution.

                                                                                                        September 10th, 2010
Guns Sweep in Brewster

           The Apple Core Young Guns got back on track this past weekend after some close games the week before in the Junior Flyers Tournament in Philly. The Guns regrouping after loosing three key players before the Junior Flyer’s tournament to Becker College and Brewster Empire came out strong in Brewster this Labor Day weekend.

The Guns playing the New Jersey Wildcats, a division opponent in the up coming season, opened the scoring one minute and thirty seconds in on a goal by new comers Sean Duffy from Jeff Sumcizk. The Core was all over the Wildcats and drew a penalty which they soon would give back as well as the Apple Core lead as the Wildcats drew even. The Core went down two to one on a broken play that caused a two on one that the New Jersey team took advantage of. The Guns, staying with the coaches’ game plan, fired back to tie one minute later on a goal by rookie Dylan Stewart un-assisted on the power play to tie and the Guns did not look back. Jon Novak scored off a great pass from Matt Sullivan two minutes later to regain the lead and the Guns turn up the heat, pinning the Wildcats in their own end and miss fired on two open nets, one Dylan Stewart will see for weeks but the Core never let up as rookie Preston Rogers ended the first period scoring again from a great play by Matt Sullivan and rookie Jon Kaszuba to give the Guns a 4-1 lead.

The Core came out just as fast as they did to start the game and drew a power play, which did not take long for the Guns to add to their lead when Jon Novak netted his second on the power play from who else but Matt Sullivan who was everywhere (scoring once and adding three assists). The Guns were not done as Stewart found the net again (so his open net miss didn’t haunt him long) again un-assisted. The Core  kept on the Wildcats and added three more before the game ended, returning winger Pat Donahue from Nolan Pues followed by Preston Rogers (2 Goals) from Novak ( 2 goals and 2 assists)  and Sullivan’s tally from Jon Novak to give the Core it’s biggest win on the Summer / Spring  pre season 9 to 4.  

Next up for the Guns, the Brewster Bulldogs another opponent in the Apple Core division this coming season, and again the Guns came out firing and pinning the Brewster team deep in their zone missing the net with shots and the Brewster defense deflecting the others. The Core with all the pressure off a broken play fell behind one to nothing. The Core with a new attitude shrugged it off and kept the pressure on the Bulldog team and tied the score at one off a big shot from Eric Krupka off the pass from Liam Pues on the power play. The Guns kept the Bulldogs bottled up in their end and drew a power play, which the Guns totally controlled in the Brewster end, but another bad bounce and the Bulldogs came down and scored a short hander to end the period 2 to 1. The Core still on the power play wasted no time as Sean Duffy from Matt Cohen evened it up. The Core then rattled off three un-answered goals by Joe Petrizzo from Matt Scarpato, then 46 seconds later the Guns fired again as rookie defensemen Liam Pues ripped a shot from the top of the circle to make it 4 – 2 Apple Core. Brewster got one back to make it seem close but the Core was controlling the play for the remainder of the game and Matt Scarpato ( 2 goals, 1 assist) followed by Jeff Sumcizk’s goal from Petrizzo and Rogers put it out of reach and the teams, got a little physical to set the tone for the games on Sunday.

 Sunday brought the Core back to play the same two teams, Coaches Carroll and Scall reminded the team before the game it is very difficult to beat teams two days in a row especially after the score the day before. The Guns came out a little flat but still took it to the Wildcats in game two as Sean Duffy put the Guns up one nothing two minutes in off a hard low shot.

The Core scored two more to go up three nothing on goals by Matt Scarpato from Matt Cohen and Joe Petrizzo, then Liam Pues from Joe Petrizzo and Sean Duffy the game ended three to one as Peter Fosso played real strong in net especially at the end with the Wildcat net empty and the Wildcats up a man in the final minutes of the game. Coach Carroll was real happy the way the team bounced back after some tough loses in Philly the week prior. Strong play by rookies Nolan Pues, Dylan Stewart, Jeff Sumcizk and Jon Kaszuba up front helped the Core sweep the weekend along with strong goal tending by all three net minders rookies Peter Fosso, Ron Sartena and new comer Dashiell Grothaus along with rookie defenseman Liam Pues all contributing to the weekend sweep.

 Spent Shells; 

Good Luck to Michael Tsatskin and Alex Shtarr on their next careers at Becker College, both will be trying out for the program there.
 

                                                                                                                      May 23rd, 2010
Young Guns Vs Empire Jr. B at Marlborough

            The 2010 /11 Apple Core Young Guns were in Mass last weekend and started the Spring season with three strong outings Vs. Empire Jr. B teams at Marlborough Mass EJHL Showcase the new look Guns played against their

 first opponent the South Shore Kings Empire team and had a real strong showing losing the game 4 to 3 to the Kings who needed to score two five on three goals to beat Apple Core. The Guns playing with a mix of players as some of the regulars were involved in H.S Playoffs for Lacrosse and Baseball, and school finals were not present, but the Guns gave the Kings all they could handle. Fine goaltending by returning goalie Jacob Smart and rookie Peter Fosso who split the net minding duties kept the Core in the game filled with penalties. The Guns taking the lead in the first on a short handed goal by Mike Tsatskin (The first of three) from Eric Krupka.  Mike Tsatskin added another on a rebound from a point shot by Hunter O’Neill and his third was unassisted as the Core fell short four to three. Some strong performances by rookies Eric Krupka and Brian Hurley on “D” Brian throwing two old school hip checks to get everybody on the bench going. Nolan Pues and Jimmy Diamond along with other rookies Matt Cohen and Dylan Stuart had great first showings at their Jr. B début.

            Game two against the Valley Warriors a team that spanked the Guns the season before could not break through the strong goaltending of two rookies Peter Fosso and Ron Sartena, in another game where the two teams could not stay out of the penalty boxes. The Guns playing five on three four times and one stretch for a full four minutes did not give up a goal. Coach’s Carroll and Scall got a real good look at the team and the quality of players he will be coaching this year. The Guns scored the only goal of the game on one of their power plays on a goal by another rookie Mike (WOJO) Wojociechowski (His Name is too long) from returning player Ryan Carroll to give the Core their only win of the Showcase

But the win did set up the Core for the chance to make the cross over game if they could get past the Huskies. The Core again started real strong with a short bench from the penalty filled game before by opening the scoring on a goal by rookie forward Jimmy Diamond, on a play set up by another rookie Preston Rogers a Florida import and returning forward Johnny McCabe for the Cores only tally. The Guns fell short and missed the opportunity to play the Apple Core Empire team for the Empire Championship game on Sunday. By the way congrats to the Apple Core Empire team for winning the weekend going undefeated and beating the Huskies 5 to 1

             The Young Guns are a new look team this year with a great mix of size and skill, the team should be fun to watch this season after a month or so with Coaches Carroll and Scall.

A great weekend for the Apple Core organization as the EJHL two team went a combined 7-2 and the Empire team going undefeated and winning the weekend

Looks like a possible good year for Apple Core.