04/28/21
ROCKETS JUMPED OUT TO 3-0 LEAD.
St. Louis, MO – The first game of the round robin round started off back and forth with both teams generating multiple chances but couldn’t find the net. SPA had two early power plays but couldn’t get anything going on them.
The New Jersey Rockets opened the scoring at 8:56 of the first period as #21 Nicholas Vantassell rushed up the right side avoiding the SPA defenseman and putting it short sided past goalie Brandon Golub. #97 Jason Gallucci picked up the lone helper on the goal.
New Jersey extended their lead to 2 after sustained pressure in the offensive zone. The Rockets dug it out of the corner and fed Rockets D-man #3 Edward Romano at the top of the right face off circle. Romano collected and snapped one home far side of the bar. #25 Stepan Kuznetsov and #5 Noah Jones each added an assist on the goal.
The Rockets made it 3-0 when defenseman Edward Romano broke out on a 2 on1 up the ice. Romano got to the bottom of the dot and snuck a pass over to forward #17 Zachary Wagner who put it in the net. #26 Ryan Schelling picked up the other assist on the goal. After 2 periods the score was 4-0 in favor of the Rockets.
Seacoast made it 4-1 4:40 into the third period. #12 Paul Tollet broke up the center of the ice and dropped it to #20 Kyle Smyth. Smyth skated up the left side and drove to the net. The Amesbury, Ma. native was able to roof a backhander over the shoulder of Rockets Goalie Joseph Cartigiano.
The New Jersey Rockets would end up adding a 5th goal by #11 Nicholas Delgaizo.
The Seacoast Performance Academy will get right back to it tomorrow as they take on the Sioux Falls Power at 11:30am est. Catch all the National Championship action on Hockey TV.