CRANBERRY TWP., Pa. — The Slippery Rock Pride moved their magic number for a playoff berth to one, as they held off a West Virginia comeback bid to defeat the Mountaineers 6-3 on Friday night at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. The win, coupled with an 8-4 Pittsburgh win over Duquesne, allowed the Pitt Panthers and IUP Hawks to clinch playoff berths.
Forward Jakob Hickey, brother of West Virginia defenseman and South Park alum Justin Hickey, bookended the game with an empty net goal with a minute remaining in the third period and the opening goal 2:47 into the first. Antonio Esposito added to the Slippery Rock lead at 14:51 of the first period and Hunter Riemer made it 3-0 Pride just over a minute later.
Two more Slippery Rock goals just over a minute apart early in the second period by Jamie Mauro and Trevor Gilliland gave the Pride a commanding 5-0 lead. West Virginia finally got on the board at 14:17 of the second period thanks to Kyle Bellemore, a call-up from the Division 2 team.
While silent for most of the third period, the Mountaineers showed more desire to make a comeback. Kris Cecere scored at 14:00 of the third and Antonio Avallone added a shorthanded goal at 15:12. Unfortunately for West Virginia, the comeback fell short with the Pride’s Hickey getting the empty net goal with a minute to play to secure Slippery Rock’s 6-3 victory.
MAJOR FOCUS: Slippery Rock defeats West Virginia, 6–3
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