KITTANNING — Every time Kittanning put the game in question, Freeport had an answer.

Those answers eventually formed a long-awaited statement.

Cole Hepler tallied two goals among his five points and Michael Frazetta netted the game-winner with 6:33 to play, as the Yellowjackets earned a 5-3 PIHL Class A victory over the Wildcats on Thursday night at the Belmont Ice Complex.

Kittanning coach Jamie King believes it's the first time Freeport has ever defeated the Wildcats in the regular season. The teams skated to a 1-1 tie on Nov. 15, but Freeport coaches and players couldn't recall a previous victory over the Wildcats, either.

“I think we gave Kittanning a little too much respect last game. The past 10 years, they've always spanked us,” said Hepler, whose second goal put the game away with 3 minutes left. “We knew this year was our year to beat them and we went out there and did it.”

The triumph puts Freeport (14-4-1) in position for a Section 3 championship. The 'Jackets have a four-point cushion over Kittanning (12-5-1) and a more favorable schedule down the stretch.

“We knew this was a big game,” said Freeport coach Dave Hepler. “This could be the section win right here.”

Despite a 30-16 advantage in shots on goal, the milestone victory didn't come easy.

Kittanning lit up the scoreboard first on Christian Miller's deflection of a Jacob Snyder shot with 4:26 to go in the first period.

The Yellowjackets responded just 22 seconds later, though, as Cole Hepler took a pass from Greg Newman in front of the crease and tied the game.

“We got down, but we answered very quickly,” said Coach Hepler. “I was very pleased with our team's effort to come back strong right away, put the puck in the net and let them know we're here to play.”

Later in the period, Freeport beat the buzzer to take its first lead of the game.

Hepler backhanded a centering pass to Brendon Zack, who rifled a shot in with 0.2 seconds left on the clock.

“Anytime you're in the last couple of minutes in the period and score a goal, that's a big, big boost and a big downer for the team it happened to,” said Coach Hepler.

Miller drew the Wildcats even on his second goal of the game with 5:25 to go in the second period. But it took less than two minutes for Newman to score and reclaim Freeport's lead.

King was frustrated with Kittanning's inability to hold on to momentum at pivotal points.

“Some of the most important shifts of a game are the shifts right after goals — for or against — and the last minute of a period,” said King. “Well, that's three of their goals right there.”

Kittanning squared the game at 3-3 with 11:05 left in regulation on a Hunter Grafton power-play goal. However, Freeport caught the Wildcats in a poorly-timed line change following a turnover and Frazetta made them pay.

“The puck went up the boards on the left side and Jared Kapustik kept it in,” said Frazetta. “I got the puck, it was either pass to Cole or shoot it and I took the shot.”

He opted for the former on another scoring chance, dropping a pass back to Hepler, who supplied Freeport with its final goal of the game.

Freshman goalie Matt Huston stopped 13 shots and picked up the win for the Yellowjackets.

Langham finished with 25 saves for Kittanning, while most of the damage came on odd-man opportunities off turnovers caused by a tenacious Freeport forecheck.

“Give Freeport credit, they beat us,” King added. “They played a really good game.”