Eastern Hockey League Frozen Finals – EHLP Title Game: New Jersey 87s Claim 2021 Crown With 5-2 Win Over Worcester

The New Jersey 87s are the 2021 Eastern Hockey League Premier Champions after beating Worcester Railers Jr. Hockey Club 5-2 in a well-played game on the Ice Line Quad Rinks

The Eastern Hockey League (EHLP) premier crowned his champion in 2021 after the New Jersey 87 beat Railers Jr. Hockey Club 5-2 on Sunday.

After having a big lead at the start of the competition, Michael LoRicco, the 87 striker, set a one-timer home from the high slot to give New Jersey the lead. While Cole Moore showed a strong game between the pipes, LoRicco scored his second goal in the middle of the second half.

By the time the second goal was scored, New Jersey had left Jr. Railers 26-14 behind and set the pace of the game. As of April 14th In the second half, the 87 Hugh McGuigan scored a 3-0 game.

Still, the Jr. Railers took the best of opportunities towards the end of the frame. The Jr. Railers profited twice, one with an expanded manpower advantage after Jayden Blackburn and Jake Barcelou found the back of the net. The numbers were recorded within 26 seconds and gave the squad a lot of hope for the third period.

However, it appeared the ’87 had other plans.

Jerrsey’s new 87, Hugh McGuigan, 47, had both game-winning and insurance goals in Sunday’s 5-2 win that won the EHLP championship.

Moore averted all nine shots he faced and the 87s scored two goals – one of which was at 3:43 of the frame, giving NJ a 4-2 lead. It was also scored by McGuigan. The second goal came late in the time in a power play.

After a tight time and a well-played competition by both teams, the buzzer sounded and the 87s won their very first title.

In addition, Moore was named the league’s MVP for the Frozen Final.

Follow the EHL on social media and attend the EHL & EHLP post-game press conferences which can be viewed on YouTube.

Kyle McKenna held various communications roles in professional hockey for four years from 2015 to 2019. McKenna was Communications Assistant to the New Jersey Devils for the 2015/16 season from 2016 to 2018 and Community Hockey Assistant and Beat Writer of the Lightning High School Hockey League for the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2016 to 2018. Born in New Jersey, he also worked as a media relations assistant at the 2018 Junior World Championships in Buffalo and was also communications assistant for the ECHL’s Adirondack Thunder from 2018-19. Since graduating from Monmouth University with a bachelor’s degree in communications (2015), the former junior hockey player has also covered the NHL for various blogs in a freelance capacity. McKenna’s familiarity with the EHL dates back to last season (2019-20) when he was an organization’s communications manager, creating written and digital content on a daily basis.