Fit to be tied
MIDDLESEX TWP — There was no shortage of offense in the three periods of regulation in Monday night's PIHL Tier I Eastern Conference game between Freeport and Deer Lakes.
Come overtime, however, both teams found the well dry.
The Lancers killed a penalty in the final 57 seconds of the extra period to force a 5-5 tie with the Yellowjackets at Ice Connection.
Freeport had dropped a 7-4 decision to Deer Lakes Dec. 18.
“We were right with them (tied 2-2 after one period) in that first game before injuries and some other things got to us,” said Freeport coach Mel Reichenbaugh. “Tonight, the shots were 39-37 (in favor of Freeport). We would have liked to have won tonight, but with the way the game went, we'll take a tie.”
Both teams failed to protect a third-period lead. Freeport held a 4-3 edge until the Lancers received goals from Jonathan Merlo and Mitchell Rupprecht less than four minutes apart to go ahead 5-4.
But the Yellowjackets (11-8-2) came back with Mike Frazetta's tally with 2:49 remaining. He had scored earlier in the period to put his team up by a goal.
“We had a lead, lost it, then came back to tie it,” said Reichenbaugh. “My players battled hard and didn't quit. I think we are playoff-ready after this.”
Freeport was on the verge of taking a stranglehold on the game in the second period. Goals from Hunter Kepple and Nick Rusak had put the 'Jackets up 3-1 with 11 minutes to go in the period, but moments later came a play and a call that affected both teams the rest of the game.
Freeport defender Ben Drzemiecki collided with Deer Lakes forward Vincent Casale to the left of Freeport's net. The latter remained on the ice for several minutes before being helped off with what appeared to be a right knee injury. Meanwhile, Drzemiecki was tagged with a five-minute major penalty for kneeing and was ejected with a game misconduct.
Casale returned to the game later in the period.
“I didn't think Ben hit him with his knee,” said Reichenbaugh. “I thought it was a shoulder or a hip. We lost one of our best defenseman for the game. I'm not saying that he (Casale) wasn't hurt, but he did come back.”
The Lancers (14-5-1) made the most of what amounted to a five-minute power play, with forward Ryan Murdock scoring twice to tie the game.
“A call is a call,” said Deer Lakes coach Todd Luniewski of the penalty called in his team's favor. “I didn't agree with most of the calls tonight, whether for or against us. Our kids took advantage of it.”
The game was tied at one goal apiece following the first period. Rupprecht scored for Deer Lakes and Robbie Reichenbaugh did so for Freeport.
Jon Lang stopped 34 shots for the Lancers while Matt Huston made 32 saves for the 'Jackets.
“We are not happy with a tie,” Luniewski said. “We're a better team than they are.”
North Allegheny 10, Butler 4When is a six-goal loss not as bad as it sounds?When six of your top players aren't available at the start of the game.Butler goalie Clay Bachman, forwards Marcus McCall, Dustin Davis and Connor Scott and defensemen C.J. Campbell and Jonathan Fair competed at a tournament in New Jersey over the weekend and had not made it back by the start of Monday's game.McCall, Davis, Scott and Fair did hit the ice later in the evening, but the Golden Tornado trailed 6-1 midway through the second period.“The lack of depth hurt us,” said Butler coach Patrick Hammonds. “We tied (NA) 3-3 earlier this season. Tonight, both teams scored twice in the third period. With a full roster, we are basically tied with one of the top teams in the league.”Garet Banner scored a first-period goal for Butler and the Tornado trailed just 2-1 after 17 minutes.But the Tigers (15-2-4) scored six second-period goals to end the competitive aspect of the game.Fair, Davis and Scott each added a goal for Butler (10-8-3). Jacob Curry made 32 saves for Butler. His counterpart, NA's Joe Hubert, had 21 saves.“Every team that has success will have to face adversity at some point,” Hammonds said. “Our practices have been intense and we want to be playing at a high level come playoff time.”
