The Jr. A Wolfpack opened the regular season this past weekend in Simsbury, CT as
they faced off against the New Jersey Rockets, the Washington Jr. Nationals, and the
Philadelphia Little Flyers in the Atlantic Junior League’s opening weekend showcase.
Friday, against the Rockets, the Pack skated to a 0-0 deadlock in a fast paced game that
saw both teams have opportunities to secure 2 points, but neither capitalizing on scoring
chances throughout the game. The Pack out-shot the Rockets 36-23 in the contest,
often dictating the high speed of play to their liking. In the middle game of a 3 game
set, the Pack took the ice against the Jr. Nationals and didn’t disappoint. Scoring early
and applying consistent pressure, the Pack staked their first win Saturday, 5-0. In the
final game of the weekend, the Little Flyers tried to crack the gridlock the Pack had
established in the defensive zone throughout the first 2 games. Unsuccessful! The A
team skated to a 4-0 victory and a 2-0-1 record, taking 5 out of a possible 6 points. More
impressively, they did not surrender a single goal all showcase. Coach Cerrella cited
great team defense and goaltending for the weekends’ success. The Pack will return to
action in two weeks time at the years’ second showcase in Hudson, NH where they will
face the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Knights, the Philadelphia Junior Flyers, and the New
York Bobcats.

While the A team was achieving success just north in Simsbury, the B Pack executed a
similarly successful weekend in Cromwell in their home opener. The Laconia Leafs came
to town for a weekend set. In the opener, the Pack came out focused and determined
and led 3-0 after the first period. However, they were besieged by stupid, careless, and
lazy penalties throughout the second and third periods and were lucky to escape with a
7-3 win despite 14 minor penalties. Without strong penalty killing, 11 of 13 kills, the
final score could have been much different. Refocused and reenergized Sunday, the
Pack showed what they are capable of. Eight different goal scorers led the way to a
9-2 victory and the first 60 minute effort of the season. In total, 11 Wolfpack players
combined to score the 16 on the weekend, accomplishing a total team effort and a 4 point
weekend. The B Pack will join the A team in Hudson, NH in two weeks times at the
second showcase of the season. On the slate is Wilkes Barre/Scranton Knights, the Metro
Fighting Moose, and the Junior Titans.

Wolfpack A Bites:
- Nick Belger led the way with 4 pts on the weekend (1 G, 3 A)
- Goaltenders Tyler Lefebrve (52 saves) and Gene Lane (25 saves) stopped everything
thrown their way.
- Frank Posillico has committed to Elmira for next season, as he becomes the second
member of this years squad to become a Soaring Eagle, joining Steve Carlette
- Rich Botting had an extremely strong weekend, anchoring the defensive core

B Bites:
- 20 different players have scored at least one goal for the B Pack in just the first 5 games
of the season