Jr Lions Win First Game Ever

The North Hunterdon Jr. Lions won their first game ever by defeating Randolph 9 – 7 at the Bridgewater Sports Arena Sunday night. The first period opened quickly with only two minutes off the clock when Kyle Stenberg took a pass from Jack Marchesini and put the puck in the net for a 1-0 Lions lead. After Randolph tied the game it was Stenberg once again beating the defense with his second goal of the game with assists from Marchesini and Mark Harrel. Randolph quickly responded with their second goal only to be answered by center Kyle Stenberg with a hat-trick and Jack Marchesini’s third assist of the game. It was a terrific start for the Stenberg line and for the Jr. Lions. Brendan Hille gave North a two goal lead with only minutes to go in the period when he took the pass from William Campbell and made a great move past the defense to score his first goal of the game. Goalie Chad Lundeen was outstanding in goal stopping many Randolph shots from in close to end the first period with the Lions leading 4-2.

Hille picked up where he left off in the first period by scoring on a great pass from Blaise Hudak to give the Lions a 5-3 lead. Just moments later Harrel head manned the puck up to Kyle Stenberg who put it on Jack Marchesini’s stick who then scored his first goal of the game. Randolph fought back scoring three more times to tighten the game up as the Lions lead was down to 6-5. Lions forward Blaise Hudak responded on a power play as Marchesini worked the puck out of the corner to Brendan Hille who passed the puck across to Hudak who beat the Randolph goalie for his second goal of the game. The period ended with the North Jr. Lions leading 7-5.

The third period moved fast with both teams skating hard. But North Goalie Chad Lundeen continued to frustrate Randolph on many great chances. After Randolph pulled within one goal, defensemen Ryan Sweeney passed the puck up the boards to Jack Marchesini who fed Blaise Hudak for his second goal of the game giving North a 8-6 Lead. Hudak wasn’t finished scoring when Brendan Hille put a pass on Hudak’s stick from just over the red line as Hudak skated past the defense to find the back of the net for his hat-trick and to seal the victory for North. Randolph added a last minute goal, but the North Hunterdon Jr. Lions won convincingly to even their record at 1-1 on the season.
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