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Mars bows 5-0 in state title game

WEST CHESTER— The Mars hockey team's march to a state championship ended one step short on Saturday.

The Planets (23-2) fell to Bayard Rustin in the Pennsylvania Cup Class A final by a score of 5-0 at Ice Line Arena in West Chester.

Mars outshot the Golden Knights in the first period, 12-7, but trailed 1-0 thanks to a power-play goal from Rustin defenseman Eric Knodel 5:35 into the contest.

By the end of the second period, Mars' deficit was 4-0 after goals from Matt Capone, Mike Ignatuk and Bill Gaffney.

All 28 of the Planets' shots were stopped by Rustin goalie Phillip Allmaier.

The Knights (25-2), who ended the season with a 20-game win streak, received a third period goal from Brian Christie.

Mars goalie Tyler Stepke made 21 saves in the loss. The defeat snapped a 21-game Planet winning streak.

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