Announcement
Brick - The Panthers, led by Gage and Carter Klotz, clinched a postseason spot by defeating St. Rose last night at the Ocean Ice Palace. The Klotz brothers combined for seven points in the 6-4 victory. Carter Klotz started the night putting the Panthers up 1-0 with a goal 2:54 into the 1st period. After St. Rose tied the game less than a minute later it was Gage Klotz who again put the Panthers in the lead 2-1 on a short handed goal with 2:09 remaining in the period.
St. Rose, however, didn't back down and jumped out to a 3-2 lead with two goals less than a minute apart. That lead lasted less than two minutes when Gage Klotz knotted the game at 3-3 off assists from Scott Campbell and Evan Herrington. Four minutes later, St. Rose jumped back out on top and looked to be going into the intermission up a goal when Gage Klotz again knotted the game up off an assist from Carter Klotz with :09 remaining in the period.
Although there were many quality scoring chances, including a St. Rose breakaway stopped by Panther goaltender Nate Bissey, the 3rd period remained scoreless until Carter Klotz won an offensive zone faceoff right onto the stick blade of his brother, and Gage's slapshot from the point finally broke the tie putting the Panthers up 5-4 with 1:58 left in the game. Connor Bokop added an open net goal to seal the victory.
The win clinches at least a 3rd place finish in the division, and a trip to the Shore Conference's Dowd Cup Tournament. The Panthers have one divisional game remaining versus Ocean Township on Sunday. If the Boro can win that game by two or more goals they would tie Ocean in points and take the tie breaker, which would move them into a 2nd place finish in the division behind undefeated Marlboro. A win by one goal would force the tie breaker to go to a coin flip. The Panthers will take on Ocean Township in the decisive game on Sunday at Gold Coast Arena. Game time is 7:00pm
