Game Recap

PRPC home versus the Northeast Storm
@ Chiller at Easton
Friday, January 23, 2004

PRPC DROPS 2nd OF THE SEASON
This Friday, PRPC had a rematch with the GCHSCHL's third place Northeast Storm (9-5-1, 19 points). PRPC won last week's penalty filled match by a score of 9-1 and led the season series 3-0 going into this fourth and final game.

This game would be no different from the last match between these two teams as far as physical play and penalties were concerned. Senior Zach Ahern started between the pipes for PRPC, while Matt Marsalka was again in net for the Storm. The Storm got on the board first as Zach Tidsdale connected on the far post just 5:30 into the game. The Storm played solid against PRPC, but the Prowlers were able to score before the end of the period on a goal by Freshman Nick Hess (assisted by Junior Eric Willard) with just 1:38 left in the period to tie things up at 1. Ahern then made a goal line save on a Tisdale breakaway at the end of the period to keep the score even going into the second.

The second period saw Carver Scott scoring just 1:27 into the period to give the Storm the lead again. The Prowlers would then score twice in just over a minute on hard working goals from Willard (assisted by Nick Hess and Junior Eric Willard) and Sophomore Ben French (assisted by Senior Captain T.J. Hess and Junior Bryan Kay). That put PRPC ahead by one in this sea-saw battle, but the Storm responded with Scott's 2nd and 3rd goals of the night, the third one being a power play goal with Sophomore defenseman Jeff Laird off for tripping, to put Northeast up by one, 4-3, going into the third period.

The third period was when all craziness began. with 12:48 left in the game, goaltender Ahern took a shot at Scott in the crease. A mealy then broke out and saw 7 players ejected from the game. Ahern was given 2 for roughing, 5 for fighting and a game misconduct, while his teammates, Weinhold, Laird and French each were assessed 5 for fighting and a game misconduct. For the Storm, (16) Jay Gallagher was assessed 2 minutes for roughing, 5 for fighting and a game misconduct, Carver Scott (7) and Nick Gallagher (31) were both assessed 2 fighting majors each and 2 game misconduct each, while Gallagher received an additional game misconduct for being assessed 5 penalties in a game (rule 404.d) and both were given an additional game misconduct for two major penalties in a game (rule 403.b).

After the dust cleared, there was still hockey to be played. Sophomore goaltender Jesse Betts replaced Ahern in goal for PRPC and play resumed with his team down by a goal, 4-3. Northeast's Tisdale scored his 2nd goal of the night on a power play with Junior Mike Miller off for holding to give his team a two goal cushion. T.J. Hess would then score (assisted by Kay and Freshman Brian Rossi) with 2:22 remaining in the game to pull PRPC back within one. PRPC then pulled Betts in the final minute to try and get a late tying goal, but Tisdale would score on the empty net with 33 seconds remaining to again give Northeast a 2 goal lead, and their first victory in the season series by a score of 6-4.

PRPC (15-2, 30 points) remains in first place in the GCHSCHL, but now has a rematch on Sunday, January 25th with the Athens Bobcats. They face off in only their second meeting of the season with Athens at 7:00 PM at the Chiller at Easton.