Flash Update-Pittsburgh Hornets U16 Provide Drama Against Team Illinois

2006 National Championships
Championships - Boys - 16 & Under - Tier I Undefeated teams provide drama
By Russell JaslowSpecial to usahockey.com ROCHESTER, N.Y.

Of all the USA Hockey National Championship games played at the ESL Sports Centre here Friday, only one pitted two unbeaten teams against each other at the 16 & Under Tier I level. Team Illinois and the Pittsburgh Hornets won their two previous games before facing off, and Team Illinois remained undefeated, winning, 4-3, despite a gallant comeback attempt by the Hornets. ““This is our fourth time [we’ve played them] this year,” Team Illinois coach Marc Kapsalis said. "They beat us the first two, [then] we got a game against them, 5-0, a kind of meaningless game. Both teams seem to be really playing at the top of their game.”

Team Illinois looked all set to settle this one early, as they took a 4-0 lead midway through the second period. “We started off a little sluggish, a little slow, a little sloppy,” Pittsburgh coach Mike O’Malley said. “But we regrouped about halfway into the second period. [We] came out in the third and had a great period.” Pittsburgh scored one late in the second and then another early in the third.

At this point, Illinois' goalie, Matt Mandernach, made some strong saves to keep his team safely in the lead. However, with 1:53 left in the game, Donnie Harris’ blast from the blue line beat Mandernach on the glove side. Pittsburgh then pulled its goaltender with a minute left, but could not get the equalizer.

The Hornets, however, advanced, and, despite the loss, O’Malley will focus on the strong effort late in the game and look forward. “We are going to try to build off that,” he said. “[The loss is] forgotten. We gave them a talk in the locker room. They know what’s going on. They are very focused right now.”