WARRENDALE, Pa. — There’s nothing like overtime in a playoff elimination game. There’s especially something special about when a game goes on and on, with neither team able to break through.
Quaker Valley forward Daniel Fagan didn’t seem interested in such a marathon Monday night. Just 1:23 into the extra period, Fagan tucked the puck behind Shaler goaltender Wyatt Wolf to end the contest and send the Quakers into the quarterfinals while ending any hopes of a Cinderella run for the Titans.
Shaler wasn’t even supposed to be in the game, having advanced to a playoff qualifier thanks to a PIHL rules quirk that allowed them to play Penn-Trafford last Monday despite the Warriors holding all the tiebreakers between the teams. But the Titans knocked off Penn-Trafford, 5-4, and seemed poised to pull off yet another upset after third-period goals by Cameron Wychich and Mitchell Werry, the Titans had all the momentum as play went into overtime.
Leading scorers Ben Kuzma and Beau Tomczak did the heavy lifting early for the Quakers, as each had a goal and an assist. Wycich also had two points for the Titans.
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The Quakers will advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday, when they’ll face the top seed from the east, Greater Latrobe. That game will be played at Kirk S. Nevin Arena in Greensburg and the puck will drop at 7:15 p.m.
All four Double-A quarterfinals will be played on Thursday, with Franklin Regional visiting top-seeded Armstrong after advancing earlier on Monday.
Upper St. Clair will face Hampton and Pine-Richland will take on Hempfield Area in the other quarterfinals.
