Pennsbury Falcons - 1985 - AA

SOUTHPOINTE - Behind a stellar, 45-save performance by senior goaltender Drew Stanton, the Canon-McMillan Big Macs won their home opener over the Kittanning Wildcats, 4-1. The win marked the first time in team history that the Big Macs have opened a season with three straight victories. Canon Mac got on the board early when defenseman Josh Tohey found the upper corner on a wrist shot from the point just 35 seconds in to the game. But it would be the Wildcats who would generate most of the offense in the first period. Fortunately for the Big Macs, Stanton was prepared for the early onslaught, turning away all 20 shots he faced in the opening frame. Canon-McMillan would slowly begin to control the tempo during the second period, and Stanton kept the momentum going for his team by turning away some second and third opportunities from his goal mouth. The CM fortitude paid off when Nate Bohn buried a cross ice pass from Tohey on a power play 8:23 in to the period. Both teams would tighten up defensively through the remainder of the period, leaving Kittanning with a 2-0 deficit after 2 periods of play. CM lead would increase to 3-0 2:40 in to the final period when Jesse Patnesky took a pass from Eric Lang and fired a low wrist shot past Pete Tolman. Kyle Harnen was credited with the second assist, giving both Harnen and Patnesky 3-game scoring streaks on the play. After over 42 minutes of shutout hockey, Kittanning finally was able to get one past Stanton when Nick Troup snapped off a shot from the slot with 2:08 left to play to pull his team within 2. Justin Kovatch and Joe Ford assisted on the goal. The goal put a breath of life in the Wildcats, who once again hounded the opposing net in an effort to close within one. Stanton was once again prepared for the challenge, using a series of glove saves to prevent any rebound chances. Patnesky put the game out of reach when he found the back of the unguarded Kittanning net from the far blue line to make the score 4-1. The goal continued another streak for Patnesky -- 3 consecutive 2-goal games. It also secured a 3-game win streak for Stanton, who has been tougher to beat in each successive game. An impressive 31-save performance by Tolman was not enough to keep his team from falling to 0-2 on the season. The Wildcats will seek their first victory of the year when they host Blackhawk on Thursday night. Canon-McMillan has a full week to rest before playing new division foe Elizabeth Forward at Southpointe next Monday. **Game Summary provided exclusively to PA Hockey by Canon-McMillan Hockey

CRANBERRY ~ Special Report provided by the Ambridge Hockey Club Phil Trombetta and Tom DiDonato scored the Pine Richland goals in the first period to take the lead. Then the 2nd and 3rd periods were dominated by Ambridge scoring 5 goals--each by different players. Chas Cvitkovic led all with a goal and 3 assists. Chas's empty net goal with 1:36 remaining on the clock put the finishing touches on any chances Pine Richland had to come back. Pine did manage to score another goal with 1:22 remaining, but then Bryan Johnston scored another empty net goal with 21 seconds on the clock to end the game for the Bridgers. Jason Morgan, Ambridge goalie, faced 23 shots on goal. Tom Zajac faced 25 shots for Pine Richland.

As we have done the past seven years, Pa Hockey will be providing the Post Gazette Rankings every Monday beginning in late November. In addition, you can get a sneak preview of those rankings, the complete Western Pa Hockey standings and PA Hockey Elite 8 rankings every Saturday Morning. Only on Pa Hockey ! FINAL STANDINGS ~ Class AAA,AA,A and Open FINAL "If the Penguins Cup Playoffs Started Today" FINAL Pittsburgh Post Gazette Top 5 Rankings FINAL PA Hockey Elite 8 Rankings

CRANBERRY ~ Special Report provided by the Ambridge Hockey Club Phil Trombetta and Tom DiDonato scored the Pine Richland goals in the first period to take the lead. Then the 2nd and 3rd periods were dominated by Ambridge scoring 5 goals--each by different players. Chas Cvitkovic led all with a goal and 3 assists. Chas's empty net goal with 1:36 remaining on the clock put the finishing touches on any chances Pine Richland had to come back. Pine did manage to score another goal with 1:22 remaining, but then Bryan Johnston scored another empty net goal with 21 seconds on the clock to end the game for the Bridgers. Jason Morgan, Ambridge goalie, faced 23 shots on goal. Tom Zajac faced 25 shots for Pine Richland.

As we have done the past seven years, Pa Hockey will be providing the Post Gazette Rankings every Monday beginning in late November. In addition, you can get a sneak preview of those rankings, the complete Western Pa Hockey standings and PA Hockey Elite 8 rankings every Saturday Morning. Only on Pa Hockey ! FINAL STANDINGS ~ Class AAA,AA,A and Open FINAL "If the Penguins Cup Playoffs Started Today" FINAL Pittsburgh Post Gazette Top 5 Rankings FINAL PA Hockey Elite 8 Rankings