Somerset, NJ – The Protec Jr. Ducks not only host Team Maryland for the first time on home ice this season in Somerset, NJ, but also aim to defeat their Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) rivals.

After falling to Maryland in back-to-back contests during late September, head coach Terry Watt and company enter Thursday’s official home opener fresh off a win. Protec erased a four-game losing streak when the Ducks flew high and took down the Connecticut RoughRiders by an 8-4 score on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The victory marked the fourth time in seven games this season that the Jr. Ducks netted five-or-more goals in a contest, but more importantly – it the reminded the rest of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) that they’re still a forced to be reckoned with.

The Junior A team’s recent victory over Connecticut witnessed seven different goal-scorers, while newly appointed captain Brayden Patricia led the way with one goal and four helpers. For the record, Patricia enters Thursday’s contest ranked second in the league for scoring with 17 points (5g-12a) on the year.

Keep in mind that forward Spencer Quinn is riding a two-game points streak. The Rochester, NY native netted one goal in the team’s last victory and chipped in two assists against the New Jersey 87’s during the game prior back on Oct. 5. Keep an eye on this left-handed shot, too. The EHL rookie recorded a multi-point effort (1g-1a) against Maryland during the foes’ first matchup this season.

While the Jr. Ducks sit in the middle of the standings for the MAC at 3-2-2 (8PTS), Protec leads the entire EHL with 12 second-period goals. Considering that Maryland proved its depth in all areas on the ice and began the season with a handful of statement victories, perhaps Protec’s consistency and second-period production is a difference-maker at the Pond on Thursday.

See you at the rink…

JR. DUCKS PLAYER STATS

JR. DUCKS GAME SCHEDULE

TEAM MARYLAND (4-1-0--8pts) vs. JR. DUCKS (3-2-2--8PTS)

(The Protec Jr. Ducks can be followed on Twitter @ProtecJrDucks)