Beaver County Badgers Hang on to Clinch Win

 Kim Cochenour

The PAHL hosted a slew of games to kick off the month of December this weekend. The Bantam A Minor Gold Beaver County Badgers and North Pittsburgh Wildcats didn’t miss out on the action as they competed in a close battle Sunday afternoon at Brady’s Run Ice Arena.

The game highlighted exceptional passing and stick handling from both teams, but it was the Badgers who came away with the win, improving their record to 5-2-0.

The first period saw no shortage of shots as both teams were firing pucks at the net. North Pittsburgh’s goaltender was on his A-game early, turning away puck after puck. Early in the first Beaver had an opportunity at an open net, but was unable to put it in.

Midway through the first North Pittsburgh was showing some promise maintaining the puck in the offensive zone. But Beaver’s Davis was able to sneak behind the defense and receive a pass right on the tape that sent him flying the other way on a breakaway, sailing the puck over the goalie’s glove hand putting up the first point of the game.

North Pittsburgh came out in the second period putting a lot of pressure on Beaver, forcing the goaltender to make save after save. A spectacular diving save from Beaver’s goalie prevented North Pittsburgh from tying the score.

A tripping penalty gave Beaver the first power play of the game. The Badgers had several good looks at the net but North Pittsburgh’s penalty kill was strong preventing Beaver from capitalizing on their opportunities. North Pittsburgh got their first power play of the game with just 3:54 remaining in the period. The Wildcats fired several good shots on the net but also came away empty handed.

A last minute surge by Beaver made it look as though the Badgers were going to go into the third period up by two goals, but a shot just high over the net ended the period with neither team scoring.

North Pittsburgh came out firing again in the third period, but Beaver’s defense was up for the challenge breaking up passes and preventing North Pittsburgh from knotting the score. Beaver’s Orndorf was finally able to steal the puck taking it the other way on a 2-on-1 opportunity, but North Pittsburgh’s goaltender was also up for the challenge making sure Beaver kept only a one goal advantage.

North Pittsburgh’s Robert Randig then got a chance to put some points on the scoreboard for the Wildcats when he was granted a penalty shot, and he didn’t disappoint. Randig was able to fake out the goalie sending the puck into the net around the right skate.

The third period was almost over, but Beaver wasn’t going to close out the period empty handed. The Badgers got their second goal of the night with 30 seconds remaining off of a slap shot from Jon Palombo, assisted by his twin brother Joe Palombo. Beaver was able to hang onto the lead, coming out victorious over the North Pittsburgh Wildcats.

 The Wildcats played strong, but couldn’t figure out a way to shut down the Badgers, as their record falls to 1-4-3.