Baldwin Highlanders - 1975 & 1988 AAA

KITTANNING – Freeport coach Jim Hill is anxious for the playoffs to begin because he knows his Yellow Jackets are nearing playoff form as they have played the toughest teams in Class A and are almost ready for a playoff run. What will put Freeport over the top was on display against Bishop McCort on Thursday night at the Belmont and maybe when they show a little more patience the discipline they need to put this team on their way to playoff glory. Bishop McCort can write a book on discipline, as coach John Bradley’s teams are always in the playoffs and striving for their 10th Penguins Cup in 11 years. The Crimson Crushers are a young team, which is nearing playoff form and would face a big test aginst Freeport. Like two heavyweight boxers, Freeport and Bishop McCort played flawless defensive hockey for the first period, each limiting their opponents to outside chances on Yellow Jacket’s Derek Gaworski and Crusher’s Anthony Feyock. At 8:27, Joe Delic found his way in between the circles and had a loose puck on his stick and Delic fired a wrist shot through the five hole past Gaworski to make it 1-0. Freeport came back and carried the play and with 3:23 remaining in the opening period it was Dustin Gaworski, who fought off a McCort defenseman and fired a snapshot in between the legs of Feyock. The second period was a defensive battle with both teams having chances and Gaworski and Feyock kept the game tied at one apiece. With 8:00 to go, Freeport went on the power play and had a golden opportunity to take the lead. Dustin Gaworski was loose and had Feyock down and with his shot heading upstairs Feyock just got a glove on it to prevent the Yellow Jackets from taking the lead. McCort then exuded tremendous patience and limited Freeport chances, maybe hoping to for an opportunity of its own and then it happened….two Freeport players collided at center ice creating an odd man break and the Crusher’s Nick Pappas found Russ Profaser alone in front who backhand a shot down on the ice past Derek Gaworski and gave McCort a 2-1 lead with 4:15 remaining. Delic added a power play goal with 1:34 left to give McCort a 3-1 victory as the Crimson Crushers appear headed for a # 3 seed showdown with arch rival Westmont Hilltop on the final game of the regular season.