Butler Toronadoes

KITTANNING – Greensburg CC defeated Kittanning 6-4 in the second game of the season and Centarian coach Joe Dykta had to be a little worried as his # 1 ranked team took the ice at the Belmont Ice complex. GCC has taken care of business for most of the season with their only loss coming at the hands of Thomas Jefferson early in the season. Kittanning, on the other hand, is riding the crest of a twelve game winning streak since dropping their first two contests. Wildcat skipper Jeff Smouse was looking for some healthy bodies to fill jerseys as two of his all-star forwards are on the injury list with an uncertain return date. So the coach decided to move defenseman Michael Mecurio to offense to provide a little spark for the # 3 ranked team. The Centarians came out flying in the first period with good pressure on the Kittanning defense and displayed great composure to neutralize the boisterous packed house at the Belmont. Allen Pershing got things started for GCC on a nice passing play out of the corner as he spotted Josh Chido, who took the pass and beat Adam Toy low to the glove side at 13:17 for a 1-0 GCC lead. Greensburg continued its early dominance and it paid off again as Chido’s shot was gathered in by Pershing, who slammed home a rebound at 10:35 and the Centarians were now on top 2-0. Greensburg CC had a power play early in the second period as a result of sloppy Kittanning play but was unable to capitalize and get the third goal. Then, at 9:19, Michael Mecurio, on a great individual effort, beat the GCC defense and Jake Genes on the ice to cut the lead to 2-1. The pace of the game picked up, especially from the Wildcats and an opportunity to tie the game at 5:53 bounced over Mecurio’s stick. Adam Toy made a key stop of a Colin Ludwig backhand with 5:30 remaining in the middle frame. With GCC on the power play at 3:35, Kittanning’s Dustin Kellner stole the puck and was in alone but was stopped on a terrific save by Jake Genes. On to the third and the next goal would be huge and this time after a great save by Genes on Luke Heller with 8:09 left in regulation, Mecurio burst down the slot and deposited the rebound over the fallen GCC netminder, which tied the game and sent the partisan crowd into a tizzy. Now with the game on the line, Kittanning turned up the heat and the result was Eddie Germy calmly collecting a rebound with 4:35 remaining ad beating Genes to give Kittanning its first lead. GCC went on the power play with 2 ½ minutes remaining and could not solve Toy and the Wildcats eld on for a breathtaking 3-2 victory.