Number Nine, Number Nine

The Indians came into last night’s game with a chip on their shoulder.

They did not beat Mt. Lebanon in either of their two meetings during the regular season, and many looked at PT as an underdog. However, Peters came away with the 4-3 victory in comeback fashion.

The squad rallied from behind to prove that they were no pushover.

The Indians struck first just 44 seconds into the contest. After carrying the puck into the zone, Trevor Recktenwald passed the puck over to Patrick Hannan. Just before he was checked, Hannan passed over to Cole Snyder who flicked the puck at the net before receiving a hit. The puck somehow seemed to squeak by Mt. Lebanon goaltender, Clay Wyda, to give the Indians a quick 1-0 lead.

After the score, both teams created numerous scoring opportunities, but none were converted. A player that really stood out in the early on of the contest was David Rex. He buzzed up and down the ice, frequently creating chances with his teammate Davan Groom. Groom missed the postseason opener against Shaler due to a shoulder injury.

With just under three minutes remaining in the opening period, Jason Spirer wound up in the penalty box on an interference call. During the penalty kill, Taylor Cox had his stick knocked clear out of his hands while trying to play the puck; however, no penalty was called. Seconds later, in his defensive zone, Cox was hit from behind while trying to pick up the puck. Thomas Horn received a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct; however, Cox received a double minor for delay of game and unsportsmanlike conduct (retaliating after being hit). This put the Blue Devils on a 5-on-3 power play for the next 18 seconds.

During their brief 5-on-3, the Blue Devils displayed flawless passing and great communication. The three Indian defenders were helpless as they watched Chris O’Brokta pass to Thomas Kang, who then one-timed the puck past Brian Baker. The goal tied the game 1-1 and sent the message to PT that they cannot be taking bad penalties.

Early in the second, the Rex-Groom combination united to put PT ahead 2-1. Rex, carrying the puck into the offensive zone, passed over to Groom in the slot. Then, just in front of the net, Groom quickly passed pack to Rex who then put it in the net. The two fed off each other all night and it was quite interesting to watch a duo with such speed go to work.

With just more than eight minutes remaining before intermission, Thomas Horn (see the previous game preview) tied the game up. The goal came while the Blue Devils were short-handed. Horn fired a beautiful slapshot into the top-shelf past Baker. The shot was placed perfectly and it seemed Baker had almost no chance in stopping the rocket.

Toward the end of the second, Peters started to take control. The Rex-Groom combo was back at work, but this time Hannan, Recktenwald and Snyder were all in the mix. Both lines fired constant shots at Wyda, forcing him to make many difficult saves. With just over a minute remaining, Trevor Nelson (see game preview) stole the puck off Josef Kittelberger and took the puck all the way past Baker to put the Blue Devils ahead, 3-2. The goal completely deflated the Indians’ momentum. PT had been fighting to get ahead before intermission, but all of a sudden, they found themselves behind at break.

The third period could be summed up in two words: Patrick Hannan.

No. 9 was hard at work in the first two periods of the contest; however, he had only recorded an assist thus far. Hannan’s fancy stickwork often leaves defenders frustrated and looking foolish, but his puckwork was at another level last night. He glided between Blue Devils, frequently showing off dekes and even using drop passes. He came close to putting the puck in the net on a few different occasions earlier in the game, but he just could not seem to find the netting.

The first half of the third consisted of back-and-forth hockey. Both teams played at an even pace. Peters lacked urgency and could not seem to find the spark that would tie the game.

With 6:04 remaining in the game, Kang received a two-minute minor for holding. Thus began Han-demonium (well, it was worth a shot). During the man advantage, the Indians did everything they could to find the equalizer. Shot after shot was fired at Wyda, but all blocked. Finally, Hannan picked up one of the rebounds and fired it past Wyda for the tie. Although the PT fans were screaming for joy, they had seen nothing yet.

Less than a minute later, Hannan was on the ice again, looking for the go-ahead goal. He managed to pick up the puck in the slot and quickly fired it at the net. The puck rolled up off Wyda and into the net to put PT ahead 4-3. Immediately, the crowd went crazy, in disbelief of Hannan’s two goals in 45 seconds.

With a minute and a half remaining, the Blue Devils pulled Wyda. There were a few instances were it looked as though Hannan might get the “Pat-trick,” (alright, no more, I promise) but no such luck. The Indians were more focused on holding onto the lead and celebrating the victory. That they did, as Baker turned away a couple shots in the final seconds of the game.

The win proves once again, that when they play as a team, the Indians can play with any team in the playoffs. The win clearly was a big one for PT, as players were happy to high-five loyal fan Adam Bastyr after skating off the ice.

The Indians will once again have to do scoreboard watching to see their next opponent, time, date and location of their next match-up. Stay tuned to Patch.