Power Play Problems: Indians Lose in Home Finale

The Peters Township Indians fell short on Monday night, losing to the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils by a score of 3-2.

The loss is the Indians' second straight defeat and the team's fifth of the season. In addition, its five-game homestand finished on a sour note. PT started out the homestand 3-0, and lost the final two games.

The first match-up between Mt. Lebanon and PT concluded in a 1-1 tie. However, in that game, it appeared that the Blue Devils outplayed the Indians. This meeting was no different, but this time, the result was a Mt. Lebo victory.

The Indians struck early, picking up a goal from senior Benny Zalewski (assists from Davan Groom and Jake Brown). Zalewski carried the puck into the offensive zone, and then fired a wrist shot at the net. The puck deflected off goalie Clay Wyda’s glove and into the goal.

Even though the early goal motivated PT, the Blue Devils were determined to even the score as quickly as possible. About three minutes after Zalewski’s goal, Mt. Lebo answered with one of its own. After peppering Brian Baker with a couple of shots, Stephen Sramac skated with the puck behind the net. He then passed right in front to an open Trevor Nelson (the team’s leader in points, 12th in the league in points) who one-timed the puck past Baker. The goal immediately deflated the PT spirit.

Although Peters did not look great at even strength, the downfall of the squad Monday was its special teams play. The Indians power play unit finished 0-for-5, and they allowed a goal the only time they were shorthanded. The PP (power play) just never clicked for PT. They struggled to form up any sort of passing rhythm, and seemed all too anxious to fire shots at Wyda. As a result, the Blue Devils had no problem picking up the puck and sending it down the ice to kill more time off the clock.

Late in the opening period, the Indians had its first power play opportunity of the night. The Blue Devils racked up two quick penalties (Thomas Kang—hooking and Stephen Beuke—tripping). The Indians “scored” just after the hooking infraction, however, the goal was quickly waved off. Afterward, Peters only formed one or two more scoring chances before the power play ended.

The second period was more of the same. The Blue Devils just appeared to be more comfortable and more fluent on the ice all night long. At 10:42 in the second, Mt. Lebo’s leading goal scorer, Thomas Horn, put the team ahead 2-1.

As the period progressed, a trend became apparent. The Blue Devils would pressure the Indians for an extended period of time, forcing Baker to make a save or two before the Indians would clear the puck out of the zone. Upon removing the puck from its defensive area, PT either iced the puck, or they came down the ice for a quick shot and then returned to defense. The squad just could not form a consistent offensive force last night.

Peters' best play of the night came with just more than two minutes remaining in the second. The offense finally managed to keep the puck in the offensive zone, forcing Wyda to make saves on rebound after rebound. After many good chances, Taylor Cox eventually put one past the goaltender, tying the score back at 2-2. The goal showed what PT is capable of, but what is sometimes unseen.

Shortly after Cox’s equalizer, senior Ryan Wyatt received a two-minute minor for boarding. The Blue Devils capitalized on its only man advantage opportunity of the night, scoring with just 48 seconds left in the period. Evan Hanberry and Nicholas Honkala assisted Horn's second score of the evening, and the go-ahead goal for Lebo. That score would prove to be all the team needed.

The third period brought, once again, more Mt. Lebanon domination.

Baker made a few key saves to keep the score at 3-2, but the Indian offense remained silent. With just more than three minutes left in the game, Honkala headed to the box on an interference call. The power play was Peters' last hope.

Although Groom had one opportunity during the man advantage, the special teams unit for PT disappointed once more, and the puck remained out of the net. The Blue Devils finished the game with its 3-2 lead, and picked up its 15th win of the season.

The loss for PT puts them in danger of dropping to 6th place (just two points ahead of Bethel Park).

The Indians are now 12-5-3 on the year and only have two regular season games remaining—facing off against State College and then Fox Chapel.

The win for Mt. Lebanon secures a top-four finish for the Blue Devils, something the Indians were fighting for.

Peters Township has no remaining home games this year, but the team plays again this Thursday against State College, who's in 8th place. 

This game could possibly be a first-round playoff match-up preview.

Editor's Note: Writer Josh Glicksman is a sophomore at ; photographer Austin Chappell is a junior.