NA ices BP, 4-3; advances to PHIL finals
North Allegheny scored three unanswered goals, two in the decisive third period, and defeated Bethel Park, 4-3, in a PIHL semifinal playoff game at RMU Island Sports Center.
With the loss, BP ended its season 17-6 overall, while the Tigers advanced to play Peters Township in the Penguins Cup championship match set for 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 at the Consol Energy Center.
After the Hawks had taken a 2-1 lead on a power goal by Chris Siak, NA responded immediately with the equalizer. Less than a minute after Derek Lesnak and Austin Jameyson dished up the puck on Siak’s tally, Joseph Griffin scored for the Tigers, deadlocking the game at 2. Charlie Johnson assisted.
Griffin notched his second score of the game at the 5:41 mark in the third period. Matthew Fantaski and Donomicc Zangaro assisted.
At 9:23, NA struck again, giving the Tigers the two-goal cushion. Cody Black scored off an assist from Connor Cash.
BP notched a goal with 59.4 to play but could draw no closer. Siak scored for the Hawks.
Bethel Park struck first at 14:49 in the first frame. On the power play, Ryan Kusmira scored. Siak assisted. But, less than a minute later, the Tigers initiated their scoring spree.
The Hawks put 34 shots on goal while NA had 32. Austin McGinty was in the nets for BP while Bradford Thornburgh protecting the goal for the Tigers.