FOXBORO – Hard to think the start of the 2014 Junior Chowder Cup could have been much better for Kyle Evangelista, Brandon Mitchell and the Rhode Island Hitmen. The forwards and his mates opened their ’98 Division tournament schedule by putting a 13-2 hurt on the East Coast Militia Green Thursday morning at the Foxboro Sports Center.
It was an offensive clinic for Mitchell and Evangelista in leading the Hitmen to victory, but it was Jim Varin who got the party started for Rhode Island as he opened the floodgates with the game’s first goal at 2:19 of the first half. Austin Alzate and Connor McKnight each added a tally as the Hitmen’s lead grew to 3-0 before Mitchell took over, collecting the natural hat trick to close out the half’s scoring.
Trailing 6-0, the Militia tried to get the jump on the Hitmen in the second half, striking first with a goal from McCauley Stewart in the opening minute. Brett Coski, however, restored the lead to six just 1:16 after Stewart’s tally and the Hitmen domination continued from there. Rhode Island poured in another six following Coski’s goal, including another hat trick from Evangelista, to the Militia’s one, bringing the score to its 13-2 final.
In total, Mitchell and Evangelista ended the contest with an astounding seven points each. Evangelista on top with 4G and 3A and Mitchell with 3G and 4A. What a pair!! Five other Hitmen were credited with multiple point games by Varin with three (2G, 1A) and Chris Wright (1G, 1A), Jake Labonte (2A) and Mitchell Smith (2A), who each had two.
Stewart and Francis DiFetuziaeo were credited with the goals for the Militia.