EJ's Scrap Tie with Monarchs
(Added 2.8.2010)

Top-ranked Northern Division New Hampshire Monarchs gave up a penalty early in the second period at Tri-Town, allowing the Pics to score on a power play. Defenseman Cam Napolitan scored assisted by Chris Connors and Sean O'Neill. The Monarchs tied the game at the end of the second period 1-1, but despite having the edge in powerplays (1 for 9) the Pics could not overcome the 1-1 stalemate.

EJ Pics Grab 6-Points
(Added 2.1.2010)

The EJ Springfield Pics played a rare weekday game on Wednesday and took a win from the Bridgewater Bandits. Chad Barthlemess, Nick Campanale, Tyler Bouchard, Chris Connors and Joe Budnick each had goals for the Pics in the 5-1 win.

In the weekends games versus New York Applecore, the Pics played the 3rd place Applecore team to 5-1 and 7-2 wins. The Pics could be playing their best hockey of the year but need to play solid team hockey to overcome a 10-pt deficit to jump into playoff contention. Strale, Bouchard, Barthlemess (2), Fasano had goals in the first game on Saturday. The Pics power play showed some offense as they connected on 4 of 8 chances and scored one shorthanded goal in the 5-1 win. In Sunday's game, the Pics jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the 1st period on goals by Finnegan, Campanale, Strale and Barthlemess. Strale and Campanale would score again in the 2nd but Applecore would cut the lead to 6-2. The Pics used a 45-31 shots on goal edge and a late 3rd period goal by Barthlemess to pull past the 3rd place team from New York. Courtney Lockwood showed his all-star poise seeing 61 shots in the 2-game homestand letting in a mere 3 goals.

Empire Pics Hoped for Another 'Miracle on Ice"
(Added 1.25.2010)

The Empire league Springfield Pics traveled to sacred hockey territory this past weekend looking to take home a piece of their own hockey history. The Pics played in the 31st Annual Northwood Invitational Hockey Tournament in Lake Placid, NY. After wins against St. Francis (4-3), National Sports Academy (7-4) and Space Coast (6-0), the Pics would play on the same sheet of ice as the 1980 Olympians. The opponent for the semi-final game would be the Northwood School Junior team, one of the finest prep hockey schools in the country.

Just as the USA team met the formidable Russians in 1980, this would prove to be quite a test for the Pics. Since 1920, the Northwood School has produced hockey champions that would compete at every professional level. This year would be no different as the Pics trailed 2-0 at the intermission. Experience, speed and depth at every Northwood position would keep the Pics from putting the puck in the opponents net. As time expired in the semi's (7-0 loss), the Pics would leave behind the hopes they too could shock the world in Lake Placid. Scott Crawley of the Pics was named to the All-Tournament team for the weekend.

Home for the Holidays
(Added 12.25.2009)
On December 23rd, 2009 EJHL Pics alumni stopped down to the Olympia for a skate during their short holiday break. (left to right) EJHL Pics alumni Barry Almedia (Boston College), TJ Syner (Umass-Amherst), Greg Vatrano (AIC), Phil Bronner (Umass-Dartmouth). " It is always great to see these guys, on and off the ice they set a great example for the kids in our program. Not only does it take skill and hard work to play at the next level, but you also must have a passion for the game." states Coach Tabb. When these guys are home for breaks their first stop is to the arena to see when they can hit the ice! EJ Pics associate coach Scott Daniels and assistant coach Vern Smith have coached these players for years not only on the ice but also working with them on the things that need to be done away from the arena.