Mixed Emotions
VALENCIA — Under normal circumstances, Butler's 5-3 PIHL loss to last-place Canon-McMillan Monday night might nearly be considered disastrous.
But PIHL Class AAA is a little different these days.
All eight teams in that division will make the Penguins Cup playoffs, meaning everyone is merely jockeying for position.
“We were lazy as a team tonight,” Butler coach Mavrik Goepfert said. “That's where it all starts. I don't feel like we showed a competitive edge in this game.”
The Golden Tornado seniors — Taite Dusheck, Connor Bachman, Nicholas Lefevre, Shayne Wissinger, Brady Johnson, Ronan Miller, Brenden Kline and Tim Diamond — were honored before the game at the Golden Pond.
Miller, Butler's captain, got things started in the right direction for the Tornado (5-9), beating goaltender Mario Eafrati high with a wrist shot less than five minutes into the contest.
The Big Macs (4-11) scored the final two goals of the period, however, and led the rest of the way.
Canon Mac entered the night having allowed 67 goals in 14 games — most in PIHL AAA. But Eafreati was up to the task Monday.
“He's been playing great hockey for us lately,” Big Macs coach Nick Godfrey said. “He was the only goalie to not allow a goal in the Triple-A all-star game.
“Our whole team committed to defense tonight and it showed.”
Butler had 31 shots on goal, but only nine in the first half of the game. The Tornado had 15 shots on net in the final period, but did not get one past Eafrati until Bekk McClaine scored unassisted with 34 seconds left.
Miller and McClaine lead the Tornado with seven goals each. Matt Bernardi scored for Butler in the second period.
The Tornado failed to score on three power play chances. Canon Mac netted two power play goals in six tries, tallying one one during a 5-on-3 advantage in the second period.
The goal gave the Big Macs as 3-1 lead at the time.
“That didn't help matters any,” Goepfert said. “We dug ourselves too big of a hole.”
Logan Ford scored a pair of goals for Canon Mac, inincluding the 5-on-3 tally. Johnny MacDonald had a goal and two assists.
“Our top line scored twice tobnight and had been scoring a lot of goals for us,” Godfrey said. “Unfortunately, they've been giving up a lot of goals, too.
“Tonight, that line didn't give up any. It scored on the power play, too.”
Butler netminder Connor Strobel allowed five goals on 25 shots, but faced numerous breakaway attempts and quality shots.
“Team mentality is the biggest thing we need to work on right now,” Goepfert said. “We're playing too much like individuals and not enough as a team.”
Butler began the night tied for sixth in Class AAA. The Tornado play at Central Catholic next week.
Godfrey isn't concerned about the regular season standings.
“They don't matter. Everybody's in the playoffs. There's no pressure to get there because we're already in,” he said.
“It's all about playing your best hockey. We're beginning to do that. Our season isn't over until we lose our last game.”
