NHS: 1-4-1-3-0-1 (double OT)
HGP: 4-4-0-1-0-0
Ryan DeMatteo: 4 goals, 1 assist
Evan Martini: 2 goals, 2 assists
Austin Tvarok: 2 goals, 2 assists
Chase Comer: 1 goal
Cayden Weaver: 1 assist
Travis Ford: 1 assist
With under a minute in regulation and HGP with possession, close defender Timmy Peterson forced a turnover and D-mid Gavin Meehan came up with a vital GB and solo clear. Meehan then fed Ryan DeMatteo moving down the ally who fired home the tying goal with 39 seconds on the clock.
Evan Martini scored a no doubter winning goal 45 seconds into the second OT.
It was an exciting guts and glory game for the enthusiastic crowd in attendance for Senior Night. We were down 7-1 midway through the 2nd quarter when Chase Comer found the back of the net which gave us a little spark. Cayden Weaver (17-22 faceoffs won) gained possessions allowing for 3 consecutive goals to cut the lead to 7-5. Down 9-6 early in the fourth quarter our team defense, as well as an effective 10-man ride shut down the Firebirds the rest of the way. EJ Seitz, Caden Fogleman, and Tim Peterson, and Senior Gavin McClure along with D-mids Senior Gavin Meehan, Senior Chase Comer, Senior Austin Prociuk, and Ryan Ganzel stepped up their intensity to win matchups and neutralize HGP's top offensive threats. Senior goalie Will Irving, with late game support from backup Jaxon Olszewski recorded 11 saves. Offensively Senior Brian Birmingham was a strong presence at both the midfield and attack. Austin Tvarok recorded two key goals while adding two assists. Senior Travis Ford contributed 1 assist. But it was Senior Ryan DeMatteo who led the comeback scoring 3 of his 4 momentum swinging goals in the final 7 minutes cutting the lead 9-7, and 9-8 and tying the game at 9-9, paving the way for Evan Martini's winner in the second OT.