It was a finish fit for the wetting. Kenny Connors scored a dramatic goal 2minutes, 23 seconds into overtime to give Malvern Prep a 3-2 win over Holy Ghost Prep Wednesday night in front of an energized audience at the Wells Fargo Center.
The game-winner came moments after the Firebirds’ Byron Hartley fired wide at the other end. Malvern’s Nick Martino corralled the rebound and shot up the right wing, sending a cross-ice pass to Connors as the two plyers crossed the blue line. Connors delivered a forehander that beat Firebird netminder Sean Joyce.
“(Martino) had a really great look across and got me open,” the sophomore said. “The goalie came out too far, I thought.
“It was a great win. We played great defense and scored in transition.”
Connors scored two goals for Malvern Prep (11-3, 5-2 in the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference) and assisted on the third.
It took a goal from Kyle Washalavitch with 1:18 left in the third period for the Friars to force overtime.
The Firebirds took a 2-1 lead on Byron Hartley’s goal with 6:48 left in the third frame.
But following a Malvern Prep timeout at the 1:21 mark, the Friars won a faceoff in their offensive left wing circle and got the puck back to Waskalavotch at the point who beat Joyce with a wrister.
The teams traded goals in the first period. Connors put the Friars up just 80 seconds into the game. Evan Mudrick answered for Holy Ghost Prep (6-11, 0-7 in conference) when he scored in the midst of a flurry in front of Malvern Prep goaltender Dan Dougherty.
For Holy Ghost Prep, the result was another in a season-long string of frustrations. The Firebirds have lost four game this season in either overtime or a shootout.
“I didn’t think we played a very good second period,” said Firebird coach Gump Whiteside, “but our first period and our third period were great. In overtime, we had a lot of chances. We just can’t find a way to win right now. It’s frustrating.”
Notes—It’s the second this season the Friars have staged a late rally to get a win. They trailed St. Joseph’s Prep 1-0 with 2:52 left in the game on January 11th and won the game with a pair of shorthanded goals.
Malvern Prep swept the three-game series with Holy Ghost Prep this season. All three games were decided by one goal …. There was plenty of hitting but no nonsense. Referee Greg Liscino let the players play and didn’t call a single penalty.
Malvern Prep 1 0 1 1—3
Holy Ghost Prep 1 0 1 0—2
First-period goals: Kenny Connors (MP) from Quinn Dougherty, 1:20; Evan Mudrick (HGP) from Eric Pohl and Alex D’Angelo, 14:21
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