NEVILLE TWP., PA — The Norwin Knights punched their ticket to the Class-1A Penguins Cup Finals in dramatic fashion. Mario Cavallaro scored his second goal of the game by sliding the puck between the legs of Fox Chapel goaltender Nash Wedner just over two minutes into overtime. The goal gave the Norwin Knights the 5-4 victory over Fox Chapel Wednesday at the RMU Island Sports Center.
Fox Chapel (19-0-1) did not lose a game in regulation in the regular season. The only team they lost to — in overtime for that matter — was none other than the Norwin Knights. A 6-5 overtime decision, it was a catalyst for the epic playoff showdown that took place at the Island on Wednesday night.
And epic it was. Fox Chapel led for a grand total of 19 seconds in the third period before Alex Thomas tied the game for Norwin, 4-4, just over halfway through the period. Norwin goaltender Owen Burmeister shut down the Foxes the rest of the way and Cavallaro notched the game-winning overtime goal.
Head coach Mike Robinson on defeating Fox Chapel twice in overtime this season. pic.twitter.com/MIeso6fMqA
— Major Focus📸 (@edmajorphoto) March 17, 2022
Norwin showed they were up to the challenge against the top seed in Class-1A. Through the first half of the first period, the Foxes were unable to gain traction in the offensive zone, as the Knights stifled any opportunity Fox Chapel got. Eventually, Norwin found the back of the net first. Anthony Cavallaro broke through just over nine minutes in. But Fox Chapel responded in no time at all. Just over a minute later, Mason Heininger tied the game 1-1. The game was living up to its hype.
After a breakaway chance by Ty Shigo was waived off because the net became dislodged, Norwin refused to be denied. Alex Thomas sniped the puck from the top of the right circle and put the puck over the glove of Wedner with just a minute and a half to play in the first period.
The Knights extended their lead to 3-1 in the second period with a power play goal from Mario. But the Foxes managed to trim the lead again. With two minutes to play in the period, William McNamara cut the Knights lead to a single goal, 3-2.
Early in the third period, Tyler Goldstein tied the game for the Foxes, and at 8:03 of the third period, McNamara gave Fox Chapel its first — and only — lead of the game. The foxes enjoyed it for only 19 seconds before Norwin took back control for good.
Norwin will move on to face the winner of No. 3 Quaker Valley and No. 7 McDowell on Monday, Mar. 21 at 8:45 p.m. at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
MAJOR FOCUS: NORWIN PUNCHES TICKET TO CLASS-1A FINALS
