The Kenston Bombers hockey team won its 30th game of the season, defeating the Solon Comets, 7-3, in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs Feb. 17 at the Kent State University Ice Arena.
The Kenston Bombers hockey team won its 30th game of the season, defeating the Solon Comets, 7-3, in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs Feb. 17 at the Kent State University Ice Arena.
After a 1-1 tie through one period of play, the Bombers scored three second-period goals to take a 4-1 lead heading into the third period.
Solon, though, fought back in the third period to make the score 5-3 with 5:37 to go in the game.
Shortly thereafter, the Bombers were called for a two-minute penalty, giving the Comets a power play opportunity.
However, rather than allowing the Comets to score on the power play, the Bombers scored two shorthanded goals of their own to take a 7-3 lead with less than four minutes to play.
In a post-game interview, Bombers Head Coach Tom Moores gave credit to Solon for playing a very good game and giving the Bombers a tough challenge.
Moores said that as the game progressed, the Bombers improved their play. In particular, Moores explained that after a 1-1 tie heading into the second period, the Bombers needed to re-group.
“We needed a little rest there in between periods, just to make sure we were all on the same page,” Coach Moores said. “I think we were more mentally prepared for the second period and the third, so that’s a good sign for us.”
The Comets began the scoring for the game by taking a 1-0 lead with 8:55 left in the first period.
The Bombers then tied the game when senior Troy Krahe scored with 3:58 in the first.
Kenston took a 4-1 lead in the second period as the team scored three goals — first, with 12:53 left in the second, was sophomore forward J.C. Pustai, who was assisted on the goal by Tommy Moores and Charlie McBride.
Luke Mack scored with 5:20 remaining in the second period, assisted by Trey Wieland and Krahe.
Then Kenston scored its final goal of the second period when Gavin Rowell found the back of the net with 1:50 remaining. He was assisted on the goal by Krahe.
The Bombers scored early in the third period to take a 5-1 lead on Rowell’s second goal with 12:57 left in the game.
Rowell was assisted by Krahe and McBride on the goal.
Solon got to within 5-3 with 5:37 left in the game after scoring two third-period goals.
However, Krahe took control of the game for the Bombers when he scored two shorthanded goals on the Comets’ power play to make the final score 7-3.
Krahe said the team was very motivated and energized after freshman goalie Nick Svoboda stopped the Comets’ penalty shot attempt.
“After the penalty shot got stopped, we were all just fired up,” Krahe said. “We managed to swing the momentum back to us, and it just really helped us a lot, and we got to push it through a couple times right at the end.”
Coach Moores was amazed by Krahe’s two shorthanded goals, he said: “In my experience with hockey, probably one of the greatest shifts I think I have seen anyone do.
“He (Troy) is an incredible leader. A lot of our success hinges on his shoulders, and he pulls us all up. When he shows determination like that, he is a tough player to stop.”
For the game, Krahe led the Bombers with a hat trick (3 goals) while Rowell added two goals and Mack and Pustai each had added one.
Leading the Bombers in assists for the contest were McBride (4 assists), Krahe (3), Mack (1), Moores (1) and Wieland (1).
With the victory, Bombers Hockey moved to 30-2-3 on the season.
The Bombers would next play Feb. 20 back at Kent State in the second round of the OHSAA Kent District playoffs against Walsh Jesuit Warriors.
