Butler Toronadoes

Canevin 5 Montour 3 MT LEBANON – Montour is ranked # 2 in the latest Pa Hockey Elite 8 poll with a 14-3-0 record and fresh off a 5-1 victory over previously undefeated West Allegheny 5-1 late last week. Canevin is ranked # 4 in those same rankings with a 10-3-2 mark and is tied with Peters Twp for the 4th seed in the playoffs. Both teams have been playing well in the 2nd half of the season and this is a rematch of a 3-2 Canevin win on January 2nd. Needless to say this game will have monumental impact on the Class AA bye picture and seeding later this month. Peter Gegick gave the Crusaders a 1-0 lead as he shoveled a rebound past Nick Galioretto 8:19 of the first period. Paul Ciotti tied the game for the Spartans after a nice play by Adam Rizza along the boards getting the puck to Zach Perry who shoveled it toward the net to tie the score at one apiece. With 18 ticks left in the opening period, Keith Kurelis found a loose puck on the doorstep to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead. On to the second period and Jason Rogerio lit the lamp unassisted on the power play on a shot from the point to knot the score at 2-2. Josh Daley scored on a rebound 4:03 remaining in the 2nd period after a scramble in front to give the Crusaders a 3-2 lead beating Nick Galioretto. Just 7 seconds into the third period, Zach Haluzchak controlled the puck from the opening faceoff and fired a low shot on the ice through the 5-hole to give Canevin a two goal margin 4-2. At 12:21 of the third, Haluzchak beat Gallioretto with a long wrist shot from the top of the circle, which was shorthanded and gave Canevin a 5-2 lead. A 4 on 4 situation and a face off in the Canevin end resulted in a Montour goal by Zach Perry with 9:23 remaining and now a 5-3 hockey game. The Crusaders received a 4 on 3 advantage with a little over 9 minutes to go, which was nullified by a bad penalty creating a 3 on 3 with 8:56 left in regulation. After a countless exchange of penalties, the Spartans hada 5 on 3 chance with a little over 5 minutes to go and the Crusaders killed it and essentially any Montour chance of a comeback. Tempers flared in the final minute and a big scuffle occurred and was curfewed with the Crusaders picking up a big 5-3 win over Montour.