Falcons earn 8-1 triumph in home opener
It’s unlikely Connellsville can keep up a pace of eight goals per game, but the Falcons followed up their season-opening effort of eight on Tuesday with another eight-spot in an 8-1 victory over Deer Lakes in the home opener on Thursday at CFS Bank Arena in Rostraver Township.
Connellsville (2-0) scored two even-strength goals and a short-handed tally to take a 3-0 lead 10 minutes into the first period.
Connor Basinger had the opening goal after being assisted by Mason Mazak and Alex Boone.
Mazak scored the second goal on an unassisted even-strength tally prior to Boone putting in an unassisted goal with the Lancers (1-1) on the power play.
Deer Lakes’ Max Redinger scored on the power play to cut the deficit to 3-1. RJ Norkus added the helper, but the Falcons had a two-goal cushion after the first period.
Sam Denny scored back-to-back goals for Connellsville to increase the home team’s lead 5-1. Boone assisted on the first tally and Larry Baroffio the second. Denny’s first goal came on the power play, while the second was 5-on-5.
Logan Jenkins set up William Whittaker for the Falcons’ sixth goal with 10:55 remaining in the second frame and a 6-1 advantage.
Alex Boone’s second tally was assisted by Liam King with 12:14 left in the third period for a 7-1 lead. Boone completed the hat trick 51 seconds later with Santo Crucio added the helper.
Connellsville had a 30-18 edge in shots on goal. The Falcons’ Andrew Weir stopped 17 shots.
Both teams converted on one power-play opportunity.