Tagged: Walpole Express

CT-Oilers2

Connecticut Oilers captured the second Eastern (Junior) Hockey League Championship.

Down in the best-of-5 series 2 games to 1 against reigning champs Northern Cyclones, they rallied back with two convincing victories.

Starting goalie Michael Tilford(1) stopped a monumental 64 of 65 chances in the deciding final contest and Phil Kreuser(10), who was set to be a healthy scratch but played, scored the game-winning goal.

The Oilers had to beat some tough competition sweeping an always tough Walpole Express team and regular season best Philadelphia Little Flyers, who lost only three games in regulation during the 2014/2015 campaign.

Their efforts earned them a very well-played and deserved title.

See related: 3/28-14

Evan McCarthyGoaltender Evan McCarthy(29) is back in between the pipes for a second season with Walpole Express of the Eastern Hockey League juniors, but for 2015/2016 he’s committed to Miami University (Ohio), where he’ll also grab himself a nice education.

The fairly big 6’3″ 180 lbs. net minder has yet to post outstanding numbers through a pair of years in US junior hockey (he played for a pair of NAHL teams as a rookie) but that all looks to change since he decided on his future intentions.

He’s already off to a quick start posting a 4-0-2 record with a 2.50 GAA and .938 SV% (all bests) and will likely blow right past his minutes played before the midpoint of the season.

He’ll be 21-years old when he starts his college career but that’s fairly typical in a goalie’s development.