NEVILLE Twp., Pa. — It was once again necessary for the PIHL semifinals to require extra time. It only took 30 seconds. Connor Chi put in the game-winning goal during the first shift of overtime to give North Allegheny the 4-3 win over Peters Township Monday at the RMU Island Sports Center. The Tigers will move on to defend their 2019 Penguins Cup championship.
After a scoreless second period that followed a 2-2 first, it looked like North Allegheny had it wrapped up. Austin Peterson put in the go-ahead goal at 1:43 of the third period to put the Tigers up 3-2. But the Indians of Peters Township wouldn’t be denied. With just 4.3 seconds remaining, and an empty net goal for North Allegheny waived off seconds earlier, Carson Alexander tied the game 3-3 for Peters Township. Unfortunately, it was all for naught as Chi’s next goal counted in overtime.
It was as even as games come through the first two periods, though. After Austin Malley’s power play goal gave Peters Township a 1-0 lead just under four minutes into the first, Luke Washabaugh tied it for the Tigers just over a minute later with his own power play goal. Koby Ringwald gave Peters Township the lead again, 2-1 exactly 60 seconds later, but Chi tied it with just under four minutes to play in the first.
North Allegheny’s Josh Bailey and Peters Township’s Tanner Ringwald stood on their heads in the second period, keeping the score even despite several chances on either side to pull ahead. With one goal apiece in the third period, it was Chi’s heroics in overtime that punched the Tigers’ ticket to the Class-3A championship game.
Bailey made 21 of 23 saves for North Allegheny, while Ringwald saved 19 of 23 for Peters Township.
MAJOR FOCUS: NORTH ALLEGHENY PREVAILS, 4-3, IN OVERTIME OVER PETERS TOWNSHIP
