WHITE TWP., Pa. – After a back-and-forth game between two equally matched opponents, Indiana defeated the Kiski Area Cavaliers 5-4 to advance in the Single-A Penguins Cup Playoffs.
Kiski opened the score after forward Jason Zahumensky got a quick shot off the rush to beat Indiana goaltender Madison Barker up high. Kiski seemed to hold the momentum, and the time of possession, throughout most of the period until a shot off the stick of Indiana defenseman Garrison Sharp found its way into the back of the net. From there on out, the game was back-and-forth.
Indiana came out flying to start the second period as freshman Daniel Williams scored just nine seconds in. Zachary Eisenhower made a great pass through multiple defenders to find Williams, who finished the game with three points.
S&T Bank Arena was deafening, with fans pumped up after multiple body checks at the mercy of several Kiski players. That all changed after Rowan Alexander scored to even the score at 2-2. The arena was almost silent, save for those that traveled from Kiski. But 22 seconds later, Indiana forward Tyler Barker brought the arena back to life after sneaking a shot through Kiski goaltender Eric Petika.
Just past the midway point of the second period, Kiski forward James Ayers burst through the neutral zone, but was tripped and awarded a penalty shot. Ayers converted and tied the game at three.
Play was tight for most of the third period with both teams not allowing many chances. Indiana took the lead after a shot from the half-wall by Eisenhower found its way behind Petika. With the net empty, Kiski turned the puck over in the neutral zone to Williams, who flipped the puck over the Kiski defense and into the net. Williams’ goal would be the game winner, as Kiski tallied with only 34 seconds left in the game.
