The MJHL Columbus Weekend Showcase continued Friday afternoon, as the
home town Northern Cyclones took on the Central Penn Panthers. In what
seems to have become the theme of this years Columbus Showcase, this
one came right down to the final whistle, with the Cyclones squeaking
out a 4-3 victory on their home ice.
The Panthers showed the dominance that helped them capture the Keegan Cup last spring, controlling play for much of the first period while recording 11 of the first 12 shots on goal. Cyclones goalie Ed Zdolshek was up to the task, though, stopping all 22 shots he faced in the first.
The goals came early and often in the final period. Starting it off at 2:46 of the second was Cyclones forward Brad McGovern, deflecting a James Amato shot up and over the shoulder of highly touted Panthers goalie Phil Heinle.
The Panthers would answer back with two quick goals of their own to take the lead. First it was Collin ONeil grabbing a loose puck behind the net, wrapping it around and flipping it over Zdolsheks right pad. Then, just 28 seconds later, Jay Heinle received a pass from Logan Bauman and blasted a one-timer past Zdolshek.
Peter Milinazo responded for the Cyclones, scoring a goal and assisting on an Amato tally to give the Cyclones a 3-2 lead. Drew Augusts goal off on offensive zone faceoff with only three minutes left on the clock gave the Cyclones a two goal lead, but the Panthers would strike back.
Drew August won the battle for a loose puck and threw it in front of the net where it ricocheted off a Cyclone skate into the back of the net.
The Panthers(6-2-0-0), however, would fall short in this one as Zdolshek stood tall in the final minute for the Cyclones(6-3-0-1).
The Panthers showed the dominance that helped them capture the Keegan Cup last spring, controlling play for much of the first period while recording 11 of the first 12 shots on goal. Cyclones goalie Ed Zdolshek was up to the task, though, stopping all 22 shots he faced in the first.
The goals came early and often in the final period. Starting it off at 2:46 of the second was Cyclones forward Brad McGovern, deflecting a James Amato shot up and over the shoulder of highly touted Panthers goalie Phil Heinle.
The Panthers would answer back with two quick goals of their own to take the lead. First it was Collin ONeil grabbing a loose puck behind the net, wrapping it around and flipping it over Zdolsheks right pad. Then, just 28 seconds later, Jay Heinle received a pass from Logan Bauman and blasted a one-timer past Zdolshek.
Peter Milinazo responded for the Cyclones, scoring a goal and assisting on an Amato tally to give the Cyclones a 3-2 lead. Drew Augusts goal off on offensive zone faceoff with only three minutes left on the clock gave the Cyclones a two goal lead, but the Panthers would strike back.
Drew August won the battle for a loose puck and threw it in front of the net where it ricocheted off a Cyclone skate into the back of the net.
The Panthers(6-2-0-0), however, would fall short in this one as Zdolshek stood tall in the final minute for the Cyclones(6-3-0-1).
