Mars red hot outdoors
PINE TWP— No matter the venue, the results appear to be the same for the Mars hockey team against Quaker Valley.
In taking part in the third annual PIHL Outdoor Charity Series, which benefitted the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, at the North Park Ice Rink, the Planets' Mike Mazzotta scored a goal one minute into the game to highlight a three-goal period en route to a 7-0 victory Friday over Quaker Valley.
On Dec. 7, Mars beat the Quakers 9-0 at the Airport Arena.
"Usually when we get that first goal, we're tough to beat," said Mars coach Steve Meyers. "It allows us to do different things with forechecking."
With the temperature stuck in the single digits, Mars (14-2) came out on fire when Mazzotta scored 59 seconds into the contest after deflecting a shot between the legs of Quakers goalie Zach Gittins.
Tyler Whiteford and Elliot Tisdale assisted.
"In a game like this, it was great to get off to a fast start," Mazzotta said. "Both teams were going hard. We wanted to jump on them quick and not let up. I think we did a good job."
That showed when Blake Friday followed with the Planets' second goal with 8:08 left in the period off assists by Mazzotta and C.J. Thiebault.
Hunter Sacchini made it 3-0 with 5:51 remaining with helpers from Rusty Miller and Tyler Thomas.
All the while, the Planets' defense shined, allowing Quaker Valley (9-7-1) only one shot in the period.
"Once you get a good lead on a team, you have to play good defense," said Mars junior goalie Tyler Stepke. "Even though we scored more goals, we still focus on defense."
Robert Sigurdsson added a power-play goal 57 seconds into the second period.
Then, with one second left on a Quaker Valley power play, Thiebault scored with 11:09 remaining for a 5-0 lead.
The Quakers appeared to break through with 7:45 left in the period, but a goal was waved off because of a penalty for high sticking.
The Planets put the finishing touches in the third period when they scored two goals in a 39-second span.
Thibault registered his second goal of the night with 8:28 to play, then Friday added his second with 7:49 to go.
The latter goal put the running clock into effect
The win helped to erase the Planets' recent misfortune of dropping two of their past three contests.
"It feels good just to get back on the winning track," Stepke said. "It was good, especially in this atmosphere with the big win."
Notes: Mars finished 1-for-3 on the power play; the Quakers 0-for-7. ... Stepke and backup Walker Enstad finished with 11 saves while Gittins had 22. ... Miller and Whiteford had three assists apiece, Thomas had two, and Sigurdsson and Rob Foley had one apiece. ... The Planets play Freeport at 8:15 p.m. Thursday at the Belmont Complex.
