Northern Cyclones 4, Utica Jr. Comets 1
The Cyclones put themselves on the verge of advancement with a 2-0 series lead against the Utica Jr. Comets, following their 4-1 win on Saturday afternoon. Lukas Saving scored the GWG, Michael Markowski and Alex LoGuercio each had a goal and an assist, Lukas Eich registered two assists, and Paul Dalessio made 25 saves on 26 shots. Michael Valenta stopped 42 of 45 shots for Utica. The series shifts to Utica on Monday, with Game 3 starting at 4 p.m.
South Shore Kings 5, Worcester Railers JHC 2
South Shore won its first game of its Dineen Cup defense campaign of the 2025 postseason. The Kings defeated the Worcester Railers JHC by a score of 5-2 on Saturday afternoon. Jack DesRuisseaux scored twice and added one assist, Will Rassier and Ethan Woolcott each had one goal and one assist, and Eli Velepec and Jake Kavanagh each had two assists. Beau Lane was strong in the Kings net with 36 saves on 38 shots. Game 2 is on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in Worcester.
Jersey Hitmen 4, Mercer Chiefs 3 (OT)
The Hitmen wrapped up their postseason opener with a 4-3 OT win against the host Mercer Chiefs on Saturday night. Breyden Zupsansky’s hat trick goal was the #OTGWG to send the Hitmen home on Sunday with a 1-0 lead. Zupsansky’s second goal tied it after the Hitmen broke a 3-2 Mercer lead. The Chiefs also held an earlier 2-1 lead in the game, a deficit broken by Aiden Ryan’s goal. Also picking up multiple points for the Hitmen was Ryan, with a goal and an assist. Nick Bunch stopped 49 of 52 shots for his win, and for Mercer, Dominick Gatto registered 47 of 51 shots. Game 2 starts at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Ice Vault in Wayne, N.J., also host of the 2025 Dineen Cup Championship Series April 25-29.
P.A.L. Jr. Islanders 3, Rockets Hockey Club 2
The Jr. Islanders snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, as they found themselves down 2-1 with 1:11 in their playoff-opening game against the Rockets Hockey Club in Game 1 of the Atlantic Division 1v4 Semifinal. Ryan Franks’ second goal tied the game and then, with 14 seconds remaining, Ryan Kearney avoided the OT by scoring the GWG. Franks assisted on that goal as well, and Kearney earned an assist on Franks’ tying goal as well. Lukas Vejmelka made 45 saves on 47 shots for P.A.L., and Derek Wood turned away 35 of 38 for the Rockets. Game 2 kicks off on Long Island at 5:30 p.m. Sunday evening.
