Extra skater, extra goal
MIDDLESEX TWP — Seneca Valley would have settled for overtime, but in the end, the Raiders didn't need an extra period.
On the short end of a 2-1 score with 90 seconds left in their PIHL Class AAA game against Butler, the Raiders pulled goalie Logan Johnson in favor of an extra skater.
It took 12 seconds for the move to pay off when Tyler Draper scored the tying goal.
Just 24 seconds later, Bryce Korner tallied the game-winner in a 3-2 decision Monday at Ice Connection.
“Winning a game like this gives us a boost,” said Draper. “It gives us a lot of confidence moving forward.”
The two teams played each other Nov. 3, with the Raiders earning a 5-1 win, though Butler was without five of its top players that night due to tournaments and injuries.
Monday's contest was more representative of Butler's talent, but first-year Golden Tornado coach Cory Sakolsky was still disappointed with his team's play late in the game.
“It comes down to wanting to play until the end of the game,” he said. “You can't teach that, it has to be in you. This is not the first time this year we have given up a lead in the third period. It's becoming a bad habit.”
Prior to giving up the two late goals, Butler goalie Nick Grosch had stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced, including 12 stops in the third period.
“He's actually our backup,” said Sakolsky. “Nick Farmerie is our starter, but he (Grosch) is having hip surgery tomorrow and will be out the rest of the season. We wanted to get him a start.
“He played well,” added Sakolsky. “It's tough to face all the pressure he was getting (in the third period), but he did what he needed to do to keep us in the game.”
The game's other three goals were all scored in the first period.
The Raiders scored first on Zach Broskey's power-play goal just over three minutes into the game. Later in the period, it was Seneca Valley that felt the sting of being shorthanded.
With 10:02 left in the first, the Golden Tornado were awarded a 5-on-3 advantage following interference and tripping penalties on SV's Ian Fox and Preston Watkiss, respectively.
Ben Rodgers scored the equalizer. Then, with a 5-on-4 edge, the Tornado (1-5-1) moved ahead with an unassisted goal from Clay Potochny.
Logan Johnson, SV's backup to Dylan Sloat, made 18 saves in the win. Sloat came on briefly in the second period due to an equipment issue and stopped two shots.
“He (Johnson) would be a starter for a lot of other organizations,” said Seneca Valley coach Anthony Raco. “He was solid tonight.
“We knew this game would be a lot different from the first time. It was going to be a lot more physical.”
Sam Gross tallied an assist for Butler while Chris Lipnicky (2), Noah Watkiss, Andrew Chiusano and Broskey did so for the Raiders, who improved to 5-1-1 with the victory.
“The last few years, we have struggled getting wins in November and December,” said Raco. “We'd go into the Christmas break at around .500. Every game matters and we are off to a good start this season. We're where we want to be.”
