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CRANBERRY TWP., Pa. — The Shaler Titans were able to fight off a ferocious Penn-Trafford Warriors comeback attack in the last two periods to hold on to a 5-4 victory, and will face Quaker Valley at Baierl Ice Complex next week.
Shaler took a 4-1 after one period an then held on as Penn-Trafford fought for its playoff fate. Both teams accumulated 20 points to tie for the final spot, necessitating a playoff qualifier despite although Penn-Trafford holding the regular-season tiebreakers.
Nathan Boch had a pair of first-period goals and Mitchel Fuchs had a power play goal and an assist of Mitchell Werry’s marker as the Titans jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first. Penn-Trafford battled back with early second-period goals from Max Lauffer and Gavin Patrick, his second of the game, to make it 4-3.
Cameron Wycich potted the eventual game winner at the 11:53 mark of the second with an assist from Fuchs that gave him a game-high three points. Jack Hughes scored a power-play goal for Penn-Trafford in the third to again close the gap to one goal, but the Warriors couldn’t complete the comeback, with Shaler netminder Wyatt Wolf turning aside 22 shots for his 10th victory of the season.
The @PTIceHockey Warriors and @SA_Hockey18 Titans are here for the @PIHLhockey AA qualifier pic.twitter.com/AkunurlsOT
— Mitch (@PHD_Mitch) February 26, 2018
