Falcons score early, often in win over Neshannock
Connellsville hockey remains undefeated in PIHL play
The Ryan Boone-Riley Denny-Hunter Hughes line scored three goals in 4:05 to provide Connellsville with an early cushion en route to a 9-0 victory over Neshannock on Thursday in Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League (PIHL) at CFS Bank Arena in Rostraver Township.
The Falcons improved to 8-0 this season and sit atop the table in the D2 Gold Division with 24 points. Burrell and Deer Lakes are tied for second in the division with 14 points, but the Buccaneers have two games in hand on the Lancers and three on Connellsville. The Falcons have outscored their opponents, 56-14, in eight games this season for an average of 7 goals scored per game and 1.75 tallies conceded per contest.
Boone scored the game-winning goal 68 seconds into the game with an even-strength tally that was assisted by Hughes. The home club extended its advantage to 2-0 after Denny put in the puck past Neshannock goalie Vinny Multari 33 seconds later. Hughes assisted on Denny’s tally.
Boone set up Denny on the power play for a 3-0 lead with 12:55 remaining in the first period.
Denny completed the natural hat trick with 9:55 remaining in the second frame for a 4-0 advantage. Alex Boone came on during a shift change to set up Denny’s even-strength tally.
Hughes scored on the power play with 7:46 left in the second to push the lead to five. Denny assisted on Hughes’ first goal.
Alex Boone opened the scoring 3:11 into the third period on 5-on-5 play. Connor Basinger provided the primary assist and Sam Denny the secondary.
TJ Snyder scored an unassisted power-play tally with 9:13 remaining in the game for a 7-0 advantage. Connellsville was 3 for 3 with the man advantage.
Sam Denny set up Basinger for his second goal with 5:08 left before he closed the scoring on an even-strength tally with 4:14 remaining. Presley Overly provided the assist.
The Falcons killed three penalties, including a 5 on 3, and denied the Lancers from scoring despite having 22 minutes with the man advantage.
Connellsville goalie Andrew Weir stopped 18 shots for his second shutout of the season. Weir lowered his season GAA (goals against average) to .925. He has a save percentage of .925 this year.
The Falcons return to the ice on Nov. 12 against Carrick (0-5-2-0, 4 points) at Ice Castle Ice Arena in Castle Shannon. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.