Freeport Yellow Jackets

MT LEBANON - Canevin woke up Monday morning to find itself in a position it hadn't been in over two years and the Crusaders were ranked # 4 in the latest Post Gazette ranking. Brian Henderson's squad was riding high after defeating Peters Twp last week 6-4 in a monumental upset victory. West Allegheny on the other hand was looking to keep Canon McMillan within striking distance in the West Division as they have faced a majority stronger Class AA opponents in the seasons first half. Sean Hart's troops are looking for consistency in scoring heading down the stretch into the playoffs. A wide open opening minutes saw both team have good scoring opportunities as Regis McGrath was stopped by WA's Phil Sweet at 14:03 and Ian Skacan was stoned by Patrick Smith at 12:53. West Allegheny's Josh Geigel opened the scoring as he wristed one stick side past Smith at 9:24 to make it 1-0. The Indians struck again a minute later as captain defensman Tom Quinn unleashed a wrist shot through a screen, which found paydirt and gave WA a 2-0 lead at 8:42. West Allegheny was not done as Josh Fuoco deflected a Skacan pass upstairs on the shortside and the Indians were off and running at 3-0 after one period. Early in the Second, WA continued to pressure and Ian Skacan found a loose puck and buried it past Smith and the Indians now led 4-0. Canevin's Scott Christopher got the Crusaders on the board at 12:11 with a heavy slapshot which beat Sweet on the glove side. It took West Allegheny only 10 seconds to counter as Geigel tipped a shot from the point past the Canevin goalie and the Indians were smelling upset after two periods with a commanding 5-1 lead. Canevin attempted to rally in the third but goals by WA's Skacan and Fuoco put the game out of reach 7-3 at the 5:25 mark. Late goals by the Crusaders Justin Holzer and Regis McGrath in the final minute made the score alot closer than the outcome as West Allegheny picked up a huge 7-5 upset victory over Canevin.