Somerset, NJ – The Protec Jr. Ducks aren't traveling to Philadelphia this weekend to just order cheesesteaks.
Protec and the Philadelphia Little Flyers will face-off for the first time this season on Friday, Nov. 13.
Philadelphia hosts the Jr. Ducks at IceWorks Skating Complex in Aston, PA for an 11:30 a.m. puck drop, while Protec aims for its third road victory during its inaugural season. Both Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) rivals are fresh off losses, while Protec dropped a 7-3 contest to the Connecticut RoughRiders on Saturday night.
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So, fans should expect a back-and-forth battle considering both clubs are eager for points in the conference standings. The Jr. Ducks enter the contest in fifth place for the MAC and are six points ahead of the City of Brotherly Love.
Both teams are struggling lately and have only won three games in their last 10 outings. Still, the Little Flyers dropped their three contests, which also marks the third time this season Philadelphia suffered such a streak.
While the Jr. Ducks have struggled defensively, Protec does average over four goals-per-game (GPG) for the 2020-21 campaign. Philadelphia enters the contest struggling to find the back of the net and averages 2.82 GPG. Yet, the Little Flyers’ power play and penalty kill arguably have the upper hand in the special-teams department.
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Philadelphia’s power play (21.4%) and penalty kill (83.7%) are efficient given its above-average percentages in both areas.
A win for captain Brayden Patricia and company could jump-start the Jr. Ducks into fourth place for the MAC, and separate themselves from Philadelphia for the EHL 2020-21 playoff race.
The Jr. Ducks are led by Patricia who has found the back of the net on eight occasions this season while recording 16 assists (24PTS). As for the Little Flyers, forward Robbie Seewagon leads the squad in scoring for 12 (7g-5a) points on the year.
Special teams and goaltending could be the difference-maker on Friday in addition to whichever team makes fewer turnovers, especially in the defensive zone.
Fans view the game here.
Jr. Ducks Digital Press Box
Philadelphia Little Flyers (3-8-0--6pts) vs. JR. DUCKS (4-3-4--12PTS)
(The Protec Jr. Ducks can be followed on Twitter @ProtecJrDucks)
