After capturing the JWK Memorial Tournament Championship the 98's headed back into league action looking to solidify their spot in the very tough NEHL American, and they did just enough to take out an always pesky AVP squad 3-1. The home team would get on the board first via the shorty from Dante Maribito as he would benefit from a great play by Kyle Lynch at the blueline to spring Maribito on the breakaway and the 1-0 lead. Maribito would add his second of the game just 2 minutes later to make it 2-0, Kyle Hentosh picked up the helper on that one. Just 30 seconds later Ryan Connearney would make a great play at his offensive blueline by keeping the puck in and Heath King would wind up with the puck on his stick alone in front and would deposit it in the top corner. Nick Fiorientino would do the rest between the pipes as they would hold on to a 3-1 win. Defenseman Patrick McCarthy, out since November with a broken wrist would return and play a very solid game on the blue line.