By Joshua Boyd / USPHLElite.com
Games of Nov. 7-14, 2024
In this streamlined version of USPHL Elite This Week, we’re focusing on just the top point-producers in each division over the past week.
Midwest Division
Chicago Crush Finish 3-0 At USPHL Fort Wayne Showcase
The Chicago Crush enjoyed their three-game run in Fort Wayne, Ind., last week, and they are unbeaten in regulation through six games (5-0-1-0). The Crush, who are off from game action until the USPHL Detroit Showcase begins on Nov. 21, defeated the Motor City Gamblers, Metro Jets and Fort Wayne Spacemen between Nov. 7-9.
- Johnny Augusta (‘04/Medinah, Ill.) pushed his way to third in league save percentage at .947 after going 2-0 and giving up just one goal in each of his games at the showcase.
Fort Wayne Spacemen Enjoy 3-0 Run At Showcase As Hosts
The Fort Wayne Spacemen were winners of three games as they hosted the USPHL Fort Wayne Showcase, giving them a jump from third to second place in the standings. Their only regulation loss came against the Crush. They also had two victories against the Metro Jets, hosts of the next showcase that begins on Nov. 21.
- Second-year Spaceman Morgan Blair (‘05/Dunedin, New Zealand) registered a pair of assists at the showcase, enough to push him to second in assists by defensemen in the league at 11.
Elsewhere In the Midwest Division
Florida Division
Florida Eels Enjoy Productive Five-Point Trip To Indiana
The Eels were the only non-Midwest Division representative at the USPHL Fort Wayne Showcase, and came out with a 2-1-1-0 record for five points. They earned wins against the Chicago Cougars and Decatur Blaze, while falling to the Spacemen and the Jets, the latter in OT. They were able to close the gap on the division-leading Tampa Bay Juniors from seven points to just two going into this weekend’s games.
- The Eels were powered by Zayn Haddon-Harris (‘04/Boca Raton, Fla.) who improved his team lead in points to 18 in 16 games. He enjoyed a 3-2-5 performance on Nov. 9.
Elsewhere In The Florida Division
- The Bold City Battalion won against Palm Beach and lost in overtime to Atlanta last weekend, which served to give them a three-point lead over the Typhoon and Florida Jr. Blades. They had entered last weekend all three tied for fourth.
Southeast Division
Charlotte Rush Earn Sweep To Maintain One-Point Lead In Division
The Rush are in a tight spot in these early times in the league. In the Elite overall, they stand just one point out of first place at 29 points, with the 15-1 WBS Knights one point ahead. In the Southeast Division, the Hampton Roads Whalers are just one point behind. To keep pace (and place), the Rush defeated the Potomac Patriots, 4-0 and 4-2, last weekend. The Rush only have one more game in November, as they’ll play Saturday against the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes and won’t be back to game action until December.
- Cale Puzey (‘05/Calgary, Alb.) moved into fourth overall in goals against average at 1.48, and Nicholas Grosso (‘05/Malverne, N.Y.) gave the Rush two Top 10 players in that category at 2.00, good for eighth place.
Atlantic Division
Rockets Hockey Club Win Two In A Row To Keep Pace At Third
The Rockets defeated the Connecticut Jr. Rangers and Hershey Cubs on Nov. 9-10 to get an important four points in a division where it seems everyone around them is also winning plenty. They were able to remain four points above the fourth-place Elmira Impact, with still lots of mountain to climb to try to reach the top two – WBS Knights and P.A.L. Jr. Islanders – and plenty of runway to do so as we’re just in mid-November.
- Brandon Eigner (‘08/Mendham, N.J.) remains the team leader in points as a blueliner with 23 points in 13 games.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights Extend Winning Streak To 15 Games
The WBS Knights defeated the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders in two straight on Nov. 9-10 to keep their healthy lead in the Atlantic Division and also in the Elite overall. They entered Friday as the only undefeated team in the league.
- Artur Ovsepyan (‘08/Moskva, Russia) launched from ninth to fourth in the league scoring leaderboard after a six-point showing over the weekend.
New England Division
South Shore Kings First Two Wins Come Back-to-Back
The South Shore Kings are on a roll, winning their first two Elite games in their short history in the league. The Kings got historic Win No. 1 on Nov. 9, defeating the Springfield Pics by a 3-2 score in overtime. Jed Smith scored the first overtime and game-winning goal in Kings history that day. Four days later, the Kings got an even bigger statement victory when they defeated the defending National Champion Northern Cyclones, 3-2, on Nov. 13.
- Leading the charge for the Kings, including the GWG against the Cyclones, has been Chase Darsey (‘06/Billerica, Mass.) He is on a three-game, five-goal scoring streak.
