Shaler Titans

HARMARVILLE ~ Shaler was victorious twice last week and has quietly climbed back into playoff contention in a tie with North Allegheny at 8-11-1. Coach Rich Michalowski’s club has had its ups and downs this season and has struggled to score in the big games against the better teams. Central Catholic coach Kevin Zielmanski was looking for some healthy bodies Monday afternoon as three of their starting defensemen, Andrew Wroblewski, Matt Grabowski and David Mullock along with all-star goaltender Bryan Adamczyk would be sidelined for this evenings contest with Shaler. Coming off one of their worst performances of the season in a 5-1 setback to North Allegheny, it was back to the basics for coach Z. The Vikings set the tone early on with some aggressive forechecking and pinned Shaler in their own end. CC had several chances but could not solve Eddie Stotts, who was brilliant between the pipes for the Titans. Finally, with 2:20 remaining in the first period, Michael McGurk found Conner Hickton in front and Hickton slammed home a point blank shot to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead. Central Catholic continued to pressure Shaler’s defense and was beginning to wear down the Titans in the second. Chris Niznik worked the puck down low and spotted fellow defensive partner Billy Connelly in the slot and Connelly found the five hole on Stotts with 4:23 left and a big two goal margin. The Vikings had a five on three to start the third period and continued the barrage on Shaler and Stotts with a 28-10 shot advantage on the evening. Eddie Martin took a McGurk pass and flung it past Stotts to put an exclamation point on a great defensive effort by CC and a 3-0 victory.