Rams fall to Lancers in Class B title game

By Ashley Chase

MVI Sports

Two years ago, 5-1 was the magic number for Ringgold to win the title over Neshannock in the Lancers’ first season of varsity hockey.

This time, it was same score, but a different outcome.

Neshannock flipped the script to capture its first ever hockey championship with the 5-1 victory over Ringgold in the PIHL Class B title game Tuesday at the RMU Island Sports Center.

The Rams threw everything and the kitchen sink at the Lancers, but it wasn’t enough to get past goaltender Riley Mastowksi, who made 53 saves to help bring Neshannock its first title.

It was a fast-paced game from the jump as both teams developed a scoring chance in the opening minute, but the goaltenders held their ground.

That changed nearly four minutes into the game. 

Neshannock struck first on a bouncing shot from the outside from Tino Multari to give the Lancers the 1-0 lead.

It didn’t take long for Ringgold to respond. 

Less than four minutes later, Nathan Boulanger skated around the backside of the cage, into the slot, turned and fired the puck top shelf over the right shoulder of Mastowski to tie the game 1-1.

But that was the last time the Rams lit the lamp.

With 1:04 left in the period, Neshannock grabbed the momentum. 

Giovanni Valentine won the puck along the left corner wall and heaved a pass in front of the goal that Hunter Harris put past Rams goalie Jerry Mease. 

Special teams came into play to start the second period.

After Ringgold killed off a Neshannock power play in the middle of the first, it earned its first chance on the man-advantage with 18 seconds left in the opening frame. Neshannock killed the penalty, and earned its second power play opportunity.

This time the Lancers cashed in.

They once again took care of business below the goalline as Tommy Malvar centered a pass right on the money for Davey Cochenour who did not miss, scoring his fourth goal of the playoffs to put Neshannock up 3-1 with 12:38 to play in the second.

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