Falcons overcome slow start to defeat Knoch
Connellsville had a rough start to Thursday’s PIHL Division 2 game against Knoch, as the Falcons were out shot and trailed after the first period at CFS Bank Arena in Rostraver Township.
The home team came alive in the second period and scored an insurance goal in a 4-2 victory.
The Falcons improved to 14-4-0-0 with a shootout victory for 44 points in the Gold Division. Morgantown leads the division with 45 points. Knoch is third in the division with 37 points after 18 games played. Connellsville and the Mohigans have played 19 contests.
The Knights took a 1-0 lead with 11:22 remaining in the opening period on Tyson Voloch’s even-strength goal. Brady Linamen had the primary assist and Cam Christie the secondary.
Logan Jenkins tied the game with a power-play goal at 10:44 of the second period. Santo Crucio assisted on the tally. Connor Basinger’s even-strength goal provided the Falcons with a 2-1 lead before Liam King scored the game winner with 4:35 remaining in the second period on an unassisted tally.
Knoch cut the deficit to one with two seconds left in the middle frame when Zack Weiland set up Brayden Knauss for an even-strength goal.
Crucio scored with 5:56 remaining in the third to restore Connellsville’s two-goal advantage. Sam Denny had the lone assist.
The Falcons outshot the Knights, 10-2, in the third period, and 22-16 overall.
Nick Daniels-Nimick stopped 14 of 15 shots for the win in goal. He was not on the ice due to an equipment issue when the first goal was conceded.