BROOKLYN, NY – Chris Ferazzoli had himself one heckuva an EPHL final series.  Ferazzoli was named the EPHL MVP for the championship series as his Jersey Rockhoppers overwhelmed the Brooklyn Aces to capture the inaugural EPHL title. 

In the decisive game three, Ferazzoli opened and closed the scoring for the Rockhoppers by connecting on an unassisted marker early in the

Photo by Bill Thebert

second period.  Then with 45 seconds left in the contest he beat the Aces Eddie Neville for added insurance as the Hoppers pushed aside the regular season’s champs and closed the EPHL’s first season with a remarkable three game effort in Brooklyn.

Nick Niedert was again spectacular in net for the Rockhoppers in stopping 43 of 44 Aces shots.  The lone Aces goal came off the stick of Tony Resendes at the 6:15 mark of the third period.  The goal ignited a bit of a fire on the Aces’ bench but Jersey had the answer at 7:10 of the period when Drew Sanders netted what proved to be the game winner and 2-1 lead. 

Matt Puntureri potted an empty net goal at 18:34 to ice the game before Ferzzoli’s 5^th of the finals put the Rockhoppers in the record books.

Both clubs were tentative in the opening period with the Aces taking 16 shots to Jersey’s 9. 

Photo by Bill Thebert

Brooklyn was 0 for 4 on the powerplay in the final game and their offense deserted them in the finals particularly the special teams. 

Ferazzoli won the series MVP on the strength of 5 goals and 7 points in the three games.  Goalie Nick Niedert received a great deal of consideration for his efforts in the Hoppers’ net.

After the game, EPHL Commissioner Jim Riggs presented Rockhoppers captain Tom Boudreau with the trophy for his teammates to skate around the Aviator Arena.

The work is not over for Riggs and the EPHL.  The off-season will see the league attempt a reasonable expansion plan and media reports have had the league moving into new territory and old hockey haunts.  The championship round was exciting and proved that the league could put a quality “A” product on the ice.  Now the job is to sell the finals and the overall product to new environs and potential franchise owners.

Congratulations to the Jersey Rockhoppers on winning the EPHL Championship for 2008-2009.

Contact the author at lou.lafrado@prohockeynews.com.