WEST KITTANNING — The Freeport hockey team stole the momentum, but Nick Blaney made sure it didn't last.

Trailing Mars 2-0 in the third period, the Yellowjackets scored twice in a span of less than three minutes to square the game with 7:37 to play. However, Blaney found the back of the net 49 seconds later and the Planets held on for a 3-2 PIHL victory Thursday night at the Belmont Complex.

Bryan Thomas and Austin Heakins were credited with assists on the game-winning goal, which came on a rebound off a blast from Thomas just short of the blue line.

“That was a nice play,” said Mars coach Steve Meyers. “It's something we work on in practice. We like our forwards to do certain things off a shot from the point.”

After a scoreless first period, Mars (15-1) took a 1-0 edge on a goal from Heakins assisted by Greg Makozy and Robert Foley.

The Planets padded their lead on a power-play opportunity. Craig Mazzotta buried a rebound off a Foley shot to give Mars a 2-0 cushion with 10:52 remaining in the third period.

“Never give up and work hard,” said Freeport coach David Hepler of the deficit. “We're not out of it.”

It didn't take long for the Yellowjackets (10-4-2) to prove their coach right.

Cole Hepler put Freeport on the board with a goal assisted by Greg Newman only 39 seconds after the Mazzotta score.

“You put one in the net and it revives the team,” said Coach Hepler.

Brendon Zack rattled a shot off the post and into the net to knot the game with 7:37 to go. Nick Zidek and Hepler recorded the assists.

Meyers wasn't surprised to see the Yellowjackets give his Planets a challenge.

“We didn't come in thinking we would run this team out of the building,” said Meyers. “We blew a lead and that's something we'll have to address going forward, but overall, we played a good game.”

Blaney's decisive goal spoiled a solid effort from Freeport goalie Cody Lee, who finished with 32 saves on the night. Mars outshot the Yellowjackets 35-20 overall and 26-11 through the first two periods.

“Cody, probably since midway through the season, has been sharp,” said Hepler. “He holds us in games and did an excellent job again tonight.”

Despite the loss, Hepler wasn't discouraged by the performance against the potent Planets.

“They're a great team and I think we played great with them,” the Freeport coach explained. “We got them to play a little nervous. I think they're used to going in (the third period) five or six goals ahead.”

Typically the backup goalie, sophomore Alex Stepke earned the win in net for the Planets.

“His game is coming along well. We've been throwing him in tougher and tougher games,” said Meyers. “He played great except for that two-minute stretch when they got a couple in there.”

Stepke, who finished with 18 saves, was reliable during a late short-handed charge from Freeport. He stopped shots from Justin Drzemiecki and Zack in the final minute to preserve the win.

“He made some big saves at the end of the game and got some whistles when we needed them,” Meyers said.

Mars played without standout forward Joe Bender, but the Planets' top line of Heakins, Blaney and Foley was still productive.

“The first line is always great. Foley stepped in for Bender on that first line and they all played well,” said Meyers. “The second line played really great, as well.”

Mars returns to the ice on Tuesday at home against Quaker Valley. Freeport is off until Monday, Feb. 27 at South Fayette.