Seneca Valley Raiders

Harmarville - Plum coach Stu Relnick knew his club would face a red hot and desperate Fox Chapel club, which knocked his Mustangs out of playoff contention last season. Plum was looking to return the favor to the Foxes this season, as FC needed to win its remaining games to secure the final playoff berth. Plum looked to take the lead early at 11:19 as Rob Tunon's shot skidded across the goal line and off the post. Then the Foxes goaltender Todd Hendry was whistled for throwing his stick, which resulted in a penalty shot being awarded to Travis Senchur at 5:15 of the 1st. Senchur moved in on Hendry and made no mistake wristing one by the Foxes goalie to give Plum the 1-0 lead. On to the second and Lenny Blatnica's breakaway attempt went sailing over the crossbar and into the net above the glass, nearly missing a goal. Fox Chapel responded as Matt King got a breakaway and pulled the puck around B.J. Schreib and into the net to tie the game at one apiece. The Foxes were looking for a big third, but Ian Beitler quickly made the Foxes pay as he tipped a Dan Coyle shot past Hendry to give Plum the lead at 14:23. Then Beitler stripped the FC defense of the puck and beat Hendry on the short side with 4:56 remaining. Fox Chapel pulled their goaltender with 2:11 remaining but could not beat Schreib, who made several good saves down the stretch in the third. For the Mustangs, they are now one step closer to clinching a playoff berth and a division title.