Springfield Junior Pics Win Inaugural “America East Cup”
3/31/06 St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada

The Springfield Junior Pics displayed a balanced scoring effort as three different players lit the lamp for the Pics in route to a 3 – 1 victory over the host West Island Icebergs. The Pics won the best of five series 3 – 0 as they claimed the leagues first “America East Cup”

Mike Olson spotted a streaking Nico Santanello who redirected the pass to put the Pics up 1 – 0 at 18:13 of the first period. Also, assisting on the play was defenseman Nik Kroisi. Both teams then settled into a defensive mode as the period ended with Pics taking a 1 – 0 lead to the locker room.

In the second period, the Jr. Pics struck early again as, they converted a power play opportunity to take a 2- 0 lead at the 16:25 mark. Ryan Garrow lit the lamp as he scored on feed from Mike Oslon and Keith Dube. West Island answered back at 10:24 when Drew Laurie converted a feed from Chris Oles and Jean Philip Leone. The period ended with the Pics up 2 – 1.

The Pics took a commanding two goal lead in the third period when Kevin Melbier notched the team’s third goal at 7:37 assisted by Keith Dube. The Icebergs continued to press the Pics but couldn’t breakthrough Brandon Melikian who was up to the challenge turning away 29 of the 30 shots he faced.

The Jr. Pics capped off a stellar season as they won both the “Regular Season” title and the “America East Cup”.

Springfield Moves Closer to AEHL Championship
Holyoke, MA Sunday 3/26/06

The Springfield Jr. Pics moved a step closer to claiming the Innaugural America East Hockey title with a concinvincing 6 - 3 victory over the visting West Island Icebergs Sunday afternoon.

The two teams will face off again on Friday in Montreal.

Springfield Edges West Island In
Opening Game of AEHL Championship
Holyoke, MA Saturday 3/25/06

The Springfield Jr. Pics powered by two goals from Jeff Tellier overcame a stubborn West Island Iceberg team enroute to a 3 - 2 decison in the first game of the AEHL Championship.

The game proved to be a defensive effort by both as the neither team could muster a sustained offense in the first period. It wasn't till the 4:32 mark of the second period that Springfield got on the board as Jeff Tellier notched his first assisted by Mike Little and Keith Dube. Then just 17 seconds latter Tellier lit the lamp again as he streaked in and fired a shot past Mikael Gasnier for his second goal. Assisting on the goal were Dube and Mike Puc, as the Jr. Pics closed the period up 2- 0 .

In the third period with Jeff Tellier serving a minor penalty for holding, West Island finally got on the board as David Hurly converted on a feed from Chris Oles and Solchiro Omi to bring the Icebergs within one.

The score remained 2 - 1 until 2:43 of the third when Ryan Garrow notched the eventual game winner assisted by Mike Olson and Tony Pioggia.

West Island would not go quietly and they continued to press the attack. With 2:07 remaining in the game Solchiro Omi scored to narrow the deficit to one for the Icebergs. Assisting on the goal were David Hurly and Brian Henderson. The Icebergs then removed their goaltender for the final minute of the game but could not convert the tying goal.

Both teams received strong goaltending performances in the contest. Springfield's Brandon Melikian turned aside 36 of 38 shots for the victory, while Mickael Gasnier recorded 33 saves on 36 shots in a losing effort for the Icebergs.

SPRINGFIELD ADVANCES TO AEHL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

PICs 7
Norwich 2

The Springfield Jr. Pics behind Jeff Telliers' hat trick and Jeremy Rosignolio's 41 save performance advanced to the AEHL Championship Series.

The Jr. Pics got out of the gate quickly taking a two goal lead after one period of play. Ryan Garrow notched the teams first goal at 15:30 from Mike Olson and Nik Pioggia. Garrow scored his second of the game again at 3:54 from Olson and Keith Dube.

In the second period Jeff Tellier notched the eventual game winner at 1:26 from Mike Little and Matt Berg.

The Jr. Pics continued the offensive barrage at 19:29 in the third period as Mike Olson converted on the power play with Tellier and Little assisting. Eleven seconds latter the Pics struck again as Matt Berg lit the lamp assisted by Tony Nelson and Nico Santanello.

The Ice Breakers finally broke the ice at 10:42 of the third period when Mike Hall tallied an unassisted goal. Jeff Tellier then converted the next two goals to complete the hat trick for the Pics as Dube, Little and Mike Puc assisted.

AEHL Championship Series (Best 3 out of 5) vs. West Island Icebergs
Game 1: Saturday, March 25 - 7:00 pm at Fitzpatrick Skating Rink in Holyoke
Game 2: Sunday, March 26 - 2:00 pm at Fitzpatrick Skating Rink in Holyoke
Game 3: Friday, March 31 - Arena College Notre Dame, Montreal, CA
Game 4: Saturday, April 1 - Arena College Notre Dame, Montreal, CA
Game 5: Sunday, April 2 - Fitzpatrick Skating Rink in Holyoke (if necessary)