WAYNE, NJ – Through 24 minutes of play Friday night at the Capital One Ice Vault, the New Jersey Outlaws lived up to its billing as the top seed in the FHL Commissioner’s Cup playoffs. Then the roof almost caved in.
After squandering a four goal lead, the Outlaws used a five-goal third period to take game one of the best-of-five series over the Cape Cod Bluefins 9-5. Kevin Cooper led the New Jersey attack with a hat trick, including the game-winning short-handed tally midway through the final stanza, and an assist while teammate Jason Reese stepped up with a two-goal, three-assist effort. Game two of the series is set for Saturday night at the Ice Vault starting at 7:35 pm.
Coming into Friday’s inaugural playoff game for both franchises, the Outlaws were considered a huge favorite based on their performance in the regular season including winning ten of the eleven match-ups with the Bluefins. Cape Cod goalie Chris Testa was strong in the early going, keeping the high-powered New Jersey attack at bay.
Testa’s dam finally broke at the 8:25 mark of the opening period when Reese lit the goal light for the first time. Less than five minutes later, Reese set up Cooper for his first of the night to double the lead and when league MVP Jeff Winchester beat Testa with just nine ticks left on the clock before the first intermission, the Outlaws had built themselves a 3-0 cushion.
With Dan McWhinney, who received the outstanding goalie award, seemingly on his game, Matt Puntureri’s goal 4:08 into the middle stanza put New Jersey up by four goals and it looked like the rout was on. However, Cape Cod coach Mike Nugnes found the right words on the Bluefins bench and his team began its improbable rally.
Dan Gordon started Cape Cod on its way at the 8:59 mark when he beat McWhinney (30 saves on 35 shots). 49 seconds later, Vincent Amigone Jr. found the back of the net behind the Outlaws netminder to cut the margin in half. Then at the 10:46 mark, Brad Surdam, a member of the FHL All-Rookie team, notched his first goal of the playoffs and suddenly in less than two minutes of playing time it was now 4-3. Todd Chinova later beat McWhinney at the 16:19 mark to complete the comeback, tying the contest at 4-4 where it stayed heading into the second intermission.
Obviously stunned by the Bluefins refusal to roll over, New Jersey coach Chris Firriolo needed a big speech in the locker room before the teams came out for the final period. His players heeded his words and jumped back in front when Matt Miller beat Testa 5:50 into the period. It took Cape Cod just 43 seconds to respond when Justin Barr hit the back of the net to once again even the score.
From that point on it was all Outlaws. With his team down a man, Cooper took a pass from Travis Kauffeldt and put the puck past Testa (42 saves on 51 shots) to give his team a lead they would not relinquish. The Outlaws sealed the victory with three more goals in less than two minutes as Reese picked up his second at 16:02, Winchester notched his second at 17:41 and Cooper finished off his hat trick at 17:59.
Game Notes: The game did get testy in the third, leaving fans to wonder what will happen in game two. New Jersey’s Craig Cole received a five-minute major and game misconduct for charging which could carry with it a suspension. Cape Cod’s David Lin and the Outlaws’ Kauffeldt also got into a scrap late in the contest, During the fight, Kauffeldt appeared to injure one of his hands. Two other checking from behind penalties against New Jersey could also fuel the fires of the visiting Bluefins as they look to even the series… Testa’s availability could also be in question after he was run over during the game…The three stars for the game were Reese (first), Cooper (second) and Winchester (third).
Contact the author at gary.marchese@prohockeynews.com
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