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Hitmen Have a Rough Opening Weekend

October 25, 2009 - All American Hockey League (AAHL)
Detroit Hitmen News Release


The Detroit Hitmen have only been in existence for about 10 weeks. In the short period of time the organization has had to work with, everything off without a hitch this weekend. They opened up their inaugural season at home on Friday night and then on the road on Saturday night, both games against the Chicago Blaze.

The Home opener for the 2009-10 season was on Friday night for the first game in the home-and-home weekend against the Blaze. The Hitmen opened up the season with an early goal by player/assistant coach Ryan Webb being fed the puck by Charles Harvey. The first Hitmen goal in history game just :18 seconds into the game. From there the Blaze answered back with 6 goals in the first period. The score was 6-2 at the end of the first.

The team took the ice for the second period, shutting down the Blaze, yet answering back with another goal by rookie Andrew Kruczynski, to close within to 6-3 at the end of the second. The third period was even by both teams, with each team having a pair of goals, thus finishing the game with a final score of 8-5. Rookie, AJ Sanders netted his first two goals of his career.

Saturday Night was the second of the home-and-home weekend. The Blaze scored the first and lone goal of the first period. When the second period started, so did the flood gates for the Blaze. They put up 4 goals midway through the period. Also in the second period, Hitmen rookie Peter Pritchett got the team on the board with his first professional goal. The third period saw a much better Hitmen team, but Blaze goalie, Adam Dekker, held them scoreless. The Hitmen outshot the Blaze36-32 in the game.

The Hitmen closed the opening weekend with a disappointing 0-2 record. Coach Wiedenhoeft had little, but important things to say. "We have a problem to address right now, and that is playing a full 60 minutes. In both games, we had a lapse midway through the game, and that's when we had our problems." Coach Wiedenhoeft finished with, "We had defensive breakdowns which costs us the games. We had the puck in their end more than ours, but just couldn't get our rhythm together. I have faced this same problem with young guys last year, so fixing it isn't a concern, but just has to be done."

Assistant Coach Ryan Webb was still positive after the weekend. "We have a great team, and I'm not concerned at all. Matt and I know what needs to be done, and it isn't a tough job, but rather an easy one." He concluded, "We have a good mix of veterans and rookies. Our defensive breakdowns are lack of playing time together."

The Hitmen are back at home on Halloween Night. The Hitmen are giving tickets to any kids who show up in costume, FREE, with an Adults paid admission. The game time is 8:15pm at the Great Lakes Sports City against the Battle Creek Revolution.



All American Hockey League Stories from October 25, 2009


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