Hudson, NH – Another week has come and gone in this unique 2020-21 hockey season. All eight teams between the Northern Cyclones Junior and Academy programs took the ice during the week ending on January 31st. The Junior teams continued their stay in Hub City Tampa, while Academy teams grinded out game action in New Hampshire. With so many games and victories, it should be no surprise that there were some sensational personal performances.

Without further ado, here are the Cyclones ‘Players of The Week, Presented by St. Joseph Hospital’ for the week ending January 31st!

This week, USPHL Elite forward TJ Vitullo and 16U Premier goalie Matthew D’Ortona take home the honors! Elite went 2-0-0 in Hub City Tampa, while 16U Premier won their lone game on Saturday. They defeated the New Hampshire Avalanche by a final score of 4-1 at the Ice Den in Hooksett, New Hampshire.

Vitullo aided a dangerous attack for Elite. He scored three points (2 g, 1 a) in the two victories, which pushed Elite’s winning streak to three games entering this week. Vitullo scored a goal and added an assist in Monday’s 6-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Juniors at AdventHealth Center Ice. Elite trailed Tampa Bay 3-2 in the second period, but rebounded to tie the game and then pull away in the third.

Vitullo added another goal on Friday as eight different Cyclones lit the lamp in an 8-1 destruction of the New York Aviators.

D’Ortona backstopped 16U Premier to a big victory on Saturday afternoon. He made 29 saves in the win, and was “outstanding” according to Coach Tim Plummer. 16U Premier got two powerplay goals in the victory, and combined to block 45 shots as a team. 16U Elite Coach Greg Lenti also raved about D’Ortona’s outing, which gave 16U Premier their second victory in three games.