Unknown territory
WARRENDALE — The Mars hockey team finds itself in uncharted waters.
Following Friday night's 5-3 loss to Hampton at the Baierl Ice Complex, the Planets are 2-6 and sitting in sixth place in the PIHL's Class AA West Division, ahead of only West Allegheny.
Mars has won four Penguin Cups and two state titles all in the last eight seasons. It was less than nine months ago that the Planets played in the Penguin Cup final.
“We lost eight or nine seniors from that team and we're young this year,” said Mars coach Steve Meyers. “Our numbers are down this year and we were without two of our best players tonight, Noah Raymundo and Patrick Roach, because of amateur tournaments. It's not an excuse, other teams are dealing with this, too. It's frustrating, but we just have to find a way to get through it.”
A win over Hampton would have done a world of good for the Planets' confidence and Mars was on the verge of pulling it off.
Facing a 2-0 deficit after the first period and getting outshot in that span 16-4, Mars scored three of the next four goals to pull even with the Talbots.
Keaton Hanna's unassisted goal 54 seconds into the third period tied the score at 3-3, but that would be it for Mars' offense on this night.
The Talbots took the lead for good with Daniel Grob's tally with 10:15 left in the game. The Planets then let a golden opportunity slip from their grasp.
There was a span of one minute, two seconds when the Planets enjoyed a 5-on-3 edge and, immediately after that, another minute when they had a 4-on-3 advantage, but could not score. In fact, it was Hampton's Spencer Homitz who tallied a short-handed goal during the 4-on-3 to put the Talbots up 5-3 with 6:18 left to play.
“We brought the guys in just before that and talked about guarding against it (Hampton's short-handed goal),” said Meyers. “Sure enough, it happened. We have had a lead at some point in most of our games this season. Tonight was one of the few times that we didn't. We have to find a way to start winning some games.”
Hampton's final goal took the wind from Mars' sail for the final six minutes of the game.
“It was huge,” said Hampton coach Dave Anderson. “Spencer has been a leader for us and has helped to kill a lot of penalties. We've been aggressive all year when shorthanded. We don't want to back down.”
Jason Reinert and Grob both scored for Hampton in the opening period. Mars answered with second-period scores from Nick Kiefer and Sean Newman, sandwiched around Daniel White's goal for the Talbots, who led 3-2 after the period.
Mars goalie Tyler Spreng made 32 saves and the Talbots received 16 from Jacob McGee.
Hampton's win lifts the Talbots (7-1-1) atop the East Division.
“We had a couple of shaky games, the loss to Mt. Lebanon and the tie with Moon, but we've been missing some key guys off and on,” said Anderson. “Overall, it's been a good start.”
