BY JONATHAN SKUZA
The Pittsford Panthers (19-3-2) behind a complete team effort was able to secure a 2-1 victory over Section IV’s Ithaca Little Red (12-9-1) in the NYSPHSAA Division I quarterfinals Saturday evening.
The early part of the contest saw the two teams feel each other out as they exchanged chances but nothing came about them.
Then just past the halfway mark of the opening frame, Pittsford broke the scoreless tie when David Pollard deflected a shot and scooped up his own rebound in front of the net and buried it.
The Panthers would tack on to its their lead before the period was out when Keegan Ahern wristed home a point shot on the power play.
The second period saw each team exchange scoring chances but both goalies stood tall for their respective teams and it remained 2-0 Pittsford.
Most of the third period saw much of the same as the two teams pushed for scoring but nothing was getting by the two net minders.
Ithaca made the game interesting as they scored with just under three minutes to go in regulation and four seconds remaining on their power play. Mason Gabriel passed the puck to Leland Walker who ripped home a shot from the far circle top shelf to bring the Little Red within one.
Pittsford’s goalie Aden Brown and his teammates were able to hold off Ithaca and advance to the NYSPHSAA Division I semifinals on March 15.
Pittsford did a good job of cleaning everything in front of Brown and limiting the Ithaca offense from creating any grade A scoring chances. Part of the success for the Panthers was the limited penalties they took in the contest and being able to execute on special teams when they needed to.
Since the start of the post season, Brown has given up a goal or less in all four contests. The senior net minder has a .75 goals against average since Pittsford’s first round matchup against Greece Storm.
The Panthers will travel to LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, N.Y. to take on Section III’s West Genesee in the NYSPHSAA Division I semifinals.
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