Butler Toronadoes

ERIE - Exclusive coverage provide to Pa Hockey by McDowell Hockey The McDowell Trojans and Plum Mustangs battled to an exciting 3 - 3 overtime tie Wednesday night at the JMC Ice Arena in a game featuring two of the top teams in the PIHL. Plum is currently ranked #5 in Western PA by PA Hockey while McDowell is ranked #7.Both teams displayed a wealth of speed and firepower as the game turned into a track meet on ice. The Trojans would dent the scoreboard first when Kaylan Rhoades dumped the puck into the offensive zone, only to see it take a tricky bounce and elude Mustang goaltender Brandon King just 3:38 into the game. Even though Plum outshot McDowell in the period by a 16 - 8 margin, Trojan goaltender John Cleary would keep the puck out of the net the entire period. But Plum would keep up the tempo to start the 2nd period and the pressure finally paid off. Jonathan Smith lead a rush up ice for the Mustangs that found him with no other option than to jam home a close range shot to tie the game 4:01 into the period. And a little over two minutes later they would feed off the momentum when Mike Renna scored on a rebound and scramble in front of the net for a 2-1 Mustang lead with 8:12 left in the 2nd. But McDowell didn’t buckle as they controlled play the rest of the period. And with intense pressure in the attacking zone, Mark Skirzynski would save a clearing attempt and Brian Hammel would find Eric Trapp who scored from close range to tie the game at two with 3:02 left in the period. And this time the momentum swung in McDowell’s favor as Trapp would put McDowell back in front on their only power play of the night as he flipped a shot at the post over King’s shoulder with 1:32 left in the period. Plum wasn’t dead just yet as Renna would score his second goal of the night on another goal mouth scramble with just 17 seconds left in the period to pull the Mustangs even once again. With fast and furious action up and down the ice the entire 3rd period and overtime, both teams traded opportunities to take the lead only to see both goaltenders rise to the occasion. After Plum dominated the first five minutes of the 3rd period, McDowell would assume the upper hand after that as they outshot Plum 14 - 9. The overtime saw much of the same end to end excitement as both teams had chances to end the game. But despite all of the offensive pressure, both netminders were unbeatable. Cleary stopped 38 of 41 shots for McDowell while King knocked away 40 of 43 shots for Plum. Both teams enjoyed only one power play opportunity with McDowell capitalizing on their man advantage. Plum defenseman Phil Mains enjoyed a big night contributing 3-assists while Trojan winger Mark Skirzynski chipped in with 2-assists in his first action in four weeks following a shoulder injury. McDowell’s PIHL record now stands at 6-2-1 (12-4-2 overall) good for 2nd place in the West Division behind North Allegheny. Plum leads the North Division with a 5-1-1 record. Goals By Period: Plum / 0 - 3 - 0 - 0 = 3 McDowell / 1 - 2 - 0 - 0 = 3 Shots On Goal: Plum / 16 - 10 - 9 - 6 = 41 McDowell / 8 - 18 - 14 - 3 = 43