Mounties Overtime Heroics Push Them to State Finals

Two Division I teams may have felt familiar emotions at the end of tonight's semifinal game. One team had barely escaped with the victory and the other was distraught, coming extremely close to a breakthrough.

Mount Saint Charles matched up against LaSalle in Game 2 of the Division I boys hockey semifinals on Saturday night at Thayer Arena. The Mounties had 3-2 in overtime and one more win would secure a berth in the state championship. LaSalle got out to a 2-0 lead, but ultimately lost in overtime 4-3.

In the last two years, it was the fourth time that Mount Saint Charles had defeated LaSalle in overtime.

The Rams were determined right from the start and it led to an early goal. Stephen Rocchio scored a power play goal only three minutes into the game.

LaSalle kept up the pressure and intensity, creating many scoring chances. Rams Junior Robert Fox had a breakaway and fell to the ice, but Daniel Lucchetti scooped up the loose puck and flipped it up and in, giving the Rams a 2-0 lead.

The Mounties came out with a sense of urgency in the second period. Mount senior Brian Campbell made a nice pass from behind the net and junior Alexander Erban buried home the shot.

The offensive attack continued with just over four minutes left in the period, when Mount had a 2 on 1 opportunity. Captain Zachary Samborsky dished it to Anthony Paglia who shot it home and tied the game.

LaSalle responded a minute and a half later when Rocchio notched his second goal of the night. The Rams would take a 3-2 lead heading into the third period.

The Rams sophomore goalie Joseph Noonan had a great night and kept his team in the game. The Mounties were applying intense pressure and finished the game with a 49-15 shot advantage. However, Noonan kept shutting them down and protecting the lead.

"They have a very good hockey team, outstanding goaltending and defense," Mount assistant coach Dave Belisle said.

"My goalie was our most valuable player in this series," Rams coach Michael Gaffney said.

About five minutes into the period, Mounties co-captain Trevor Plante banged home a rebound goal, bringing the score to 3-3. Plante would later have a hand in the biggest play of the game.

Mount kept the pressure on Noonan, but he made great saves all night. LaSalle had a few chances to score in the third period, but could not capitalize on their opportunities.

For the second straight night, the game went into overtime. Both teams seemed unable to score and it looked as if a second overtime was on the way.

Despite applying intense pressure and peppering Noonan with shots, the Mounties could not get the winning goal. However, with 7.6 seconds left on the clock, Plante delivered and blasted home a shot, sending the Mounties to the championship round, where they will face off against Bishop Hendricken.

"I have been blessed with great leadership this year," Belisle said.

Looking forward to the next series, the coach added, "Hendricken is big, strong, and fast."

Gaffney was pleased with his team's effort and intensity. "For six periods we did play well," he said, "They were blocking shots, sticking their checks, and getting our share of offense."

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