TURNING POINT
KITTANNING — The momentum was starting to shift — so Freeport's Cole Hepler pulled it back.
In Monday's PIHL Class A playoff game, Bishop McCort's Noah Sakmar scored to cut the Yellowjackets' lead to 2-1 late in the second period.
The Crushers then went on a power play with 1:35 left in the period, but Hepler got a breakaway opportunity and was knocked down from behind in front of the net, giving him a penalty shot.
The Yellowjackets' senior buried the shot with 1:11 left to give the team a 3-1 cushion en route to a 5-1 victory at the Belmont Complex.
With the win, No. 8 seed Freeport (11-7-2) moves on to face No. 2 Mars at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the BladeRunners in Warrendale.
“I told the boys this could be a big change in the game,” Freeport coach Dave Hepler said. “If Cole does not get it, we've got to answer the call and come out harder.”
“Obviously, the penalty shot was the turning point,” said Crushers coach John Bradley. “We get it to 2-1 and a power play and then we make a bad decision.
“We have to be more patient there and negate them. Even if they don't score, we keep the score at 2-1 and we're in a better position in the third period,” Bradley added.
Hepler was knocked down earlier in a similar spot but only a minor penalty was called. This time, however, a penalty shot was awarded.
“Our defense made a good play off the boards and I got lucky,” the senior said. “The defender decided to break his stick on my ankle. I had no choice but to fall and hope I got the call.”
Crushers goalie James Stenger came out of the net a bit, but Hepler was waiting for the netminder to make his move.
“He showed a poke check so I went through the five-hole (between the legs),” Hepler said. “I was hoping he would react first, which he did.
“I wanted to put the team up with another goal,” Hepler added.
“(Hepler) made a good play,” Bradley said. “What can you do? ... He's a great player. That's the difference.”
From there, Bishop McCort (5-15) had a chance to slice the deficit to one early in the third period when Freeport goalie Cody Lee deflected a shot into the air, but defenseman John Bird knocked the puck clear.
Hepler and Hunter Kepple added power-play goals, the latter with 7:10 remaining to seal the win.
“We have a little more talent than they do,” coach Hepler said. “We wanted short shifts, keep the speed up ... go hard at it and keep the momentum.”
Greg Newman scored in the first period off assists by Hepler and Josh Powell for a 1-0 lead. Hepler returned the favor, taking a pass from Newman and Nick Spangler with 7:55 left in the second period to double the lead.
Notes: Freeport outshot the Crushers by a 37-9 margin. ... Bishop McCort's leading goal and points scorer Nathan James, accounted for an assist on Sakmar's goal.
