Pittsburgh traveled to Wooster on Friday night for the first game of a big two game series that had enormous playoff implications. The game didn't start well for the Vengeance as the Oilers opened the scoring 1:41 into the first period, setting the tone for the night. Wooster held onto a 1-0 lead after one period of play, outshooting the Vengeance 12-9 in the opening frame. Wooster added two more goals in the second period to build their lead to 3-0 going into the third period. They added a lone goal in the third period to seal a 4-0 victory. Jacob Stack stopped 22 of 26 shots for the loss in net for Pittsburgh and Adam Provaznik stopped all 5 shots he would face in late game relief.

 

"They scored that early goal and built off that and we never recovered," said Coach Dorsey.

 

Pittsburgh travelled back home to host Wooster in a must win situation on Saturday night at the Alpha Ice Complex. The Vengeance came out with a little extra boost backed by the home crowd on Saturday night, but Wooster struck first again on the power play to go up 1-0. Pittsburgh tied the game up at 1-1 on a James Unger goal assisted by Vincent Casale. They would go into the second period tied at 1-1. The Vengeance got into some penalty trouble in the middle period, including a 5-minute major to James Stiles. Wooster cashed in on two power play goals to take a 3-1 lead to the third period. Pittsburgh cut the lead in early in the third period to 3-2 on a power play goal by Dom Glavach with assists going to Anthony Szurlej and Darrien Sroka. Wooster answered back with their fourth power play goal of the game with a little over five minutes to go that would seal a 4-2 victory for them. Jacob Stack took the loss in the net for Pittsburgh stopping 31 out of 35 shots he faced. Pittsburgh ended the game 1-11 on the power play, while the Oilers managed 4 goals on 6 odd man opportunities.

 

"We played better at even strength than they did but they beat us badly in the special teams game and that was the deciding factor," said Coach Dorsey. "We just haven't handled adversity real well this year and that's why we are on the outside looking in at the playoffs."

 

Pittsburgh will travel to Toledo on Friday for a two game road series with the second place Cherokee.