Thomas Jefferson’s comeback bid falls short in Class AA loss to Baldwin

By Jose Negron

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Despite facing a significant three-goal deficit after two periods Thursday night, Thomas Jefferson refused to pack it in and settle for a defeat. 

Instead, the Jaguars showed some resilience, scoring a pair of goals in the final 17 minutes before ultimately falling short at the hands of Baldwin, 4-3, in PIHL Class AA play at the Ice Castle in Castle Shannon.

“They knew we had to change a little bit when it came to getting pucks deep and going to work instead of trying to make it work from our blue line in,” TJ head coach Bill Crousey said. “They knew they had to play better hockey and they did that in the third. We just ran out of time I guess you could say.” 

Making its AA debut after moving up a class, TJ (0-1) was forced to play catchup in the third. 

After a hooking call on Nelson Buys and a cross checking penalty on Zach Borman gave the Jaguars a 5-on-3 power play, they converted to make it a two-goal game. Six seconds in to the two-man advantage, Eddie Pazo beat Baldwin goaltender Eddie Nowicki off assists from Colby Biliski and Ryan Kelly. 

TJ tried desperately to claw away at Baldwin’s advantage and cashed in once again with 1:12 remaining in the game as Hunter Fairman found the back of the net to cut the lead to one. Pazo picked up the assist on the tally. 

The Jaguars pulled goaltender Luke Ripepi for the extra attacker, but it was all for naught as the Highlanders (2-0) held on for the win. 

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