Seneca Valley Raiders

TJ takes nothing to chance and turns back Canon Mac ! ROSTRAVER – Canon McMillan hockey has had a breakthrough season in 2002-2003, with its first division title edging out West Allegheny, its first playoff victory over Canevin 4-2 last week and its first winning season since 1997. Anything more for Pat Rheam’s club would be icing on the cake, but believe me this is a dangerous team in the playoffs because they have nothing to lose and the effect of the amateur programs at Southpointe has produced some pretty nice talent in the program for the Big Macs and this could be a watershed season for the Big Macs. In a meeting earlier this season CM just fell short losing to TJ 4-3. Thomas Jefferson coach Don Powell has been here before and the dean of Class AA coaches is wary of any team in the playoffs since last years upset at the hands of Hampton. The Jaguars captured the 2nd seed with late season wins at Indiana, South Park and Canevin, but they all seemed to be spoiled by the pastings this season at the hands of division rival and defending champs Peters Twp., who have defeated TJ three times this season. Although Thomas Jefferson has twelve consecutive winnings seasons [176-41-9], three Pennsylvania State Championships, and twelve straight state playoff appearances, coach Powell will not be satisfied until his Jags beat Peters, but to get another shot at them they have to get there. A very calm and cautious first period, Thomas Jefferson grabbed the lead as Eric Holzer scored on the rebound past Chris Watkinson for a 1-0 lead. Canon Mac had an opportunity to tie the game late in the period on the power play but was denied by some excellent penalty killing by the Jaguars. On to the second and TJ extended its lead to 2-0 as defenseman Grant Heinauer blasted home a loose puck from the slot area over the glove hand of Watkinson at 13:39 and the Jaguars had a 2-0 lead. Meanwhile at the other end, Danny Hartman was doing his thing as he stopped Doug Rheam from point blank range with 9:19 remaining in the 2nd. Thomas Jefferson’s Brandon School scored on a breakaway putting TJ in the driver’s seat 3-0 at 7:49. The Jaguars had a golden chance to go up 4-0 but Chris Watkinson made a great save on Luke Wawrzeniak at 7:29 to keep the deficit to three goals. Back came the Big Macs as Doug Rheam tipped a shot from the point past Hartman to get CM on the board with a PPG with 3:27 remaining. Canon Mac was back in the game and Doug Stanton drew them even closer as he buried a wrist shot over the glove side of Hartman and all the sudden it was a one goal hockey game with 2:44 remaining. Anytime you have one goal playoff game, its important to play tight in the final minute, but TJ’s Derek Kelly delivered a big blow to Canon Macs upset bid with a big slapshot which beat Watkinson cleanly with only :29 left in the middle period and a huge insurance goal for the Jaguars. Spurred by Kelly’s goal Thomas Jefferson came out in the third period and played like champions shutting down the Big Macs and Danny Hartman stopped every thing he had to. Billy Barrett sealed the deal with a goal at 12:28 of the third and Thomas Jefferson moved on to Penguin Cup Semi-Finals for the first time since 2000 next week at Rostraver to face either Kittanning or Greensburg CC.