Neumann Holds Off Drexel In High Scoring Affair
Steve Klenk Nets 4 Goals For The Knights
ECRHA October 28th, 2008 at 9:10PM October 28th, 2008 9:39PM
Drexel has never defeated Neumann, but that doesn't mean
they haven't come close. In ten previous meetings, Neumann is a perfect 10-0-0.
However, Drexel has only been beaten by three goals or more in five of those
games. Every time these teams meet, it seems the game is decided in the third
period, this game would prove to be no different.
Neumann got on the board first, when Jon Donohue made a pass
through the defenseman and found William Giersbach at the far post. Giersbach
only had enough time to deflect it on net and just beat the goalies glove for
the early 1-0 advantage. Neumann extended their lead when Tom Lamont slide a cross-crease
pass to Steve Klenk during a 3 on 2 power play for a 2-0 lead.
Drexel got on the board when Andrew Nguyen beat his defenseman
in the corner and found Chris Adams wide open at the far post for an easy goal,
cutting the lead to 2-1. Nguyen then found the back of the net with the two man
advantage to knot the game at 2-2. Neumann got the goal right back when Jon Donohue
found Rob Cras shorthanded, Cras wasted no time, firing a well place shot top
shelf for a 3-2 lead. Neumann had a chance to take a two goal lead into the
intermission when they had two men cutting in unmarked on Kevin Appel with 4
seconds to go. Appel made a huge pad save on the first chance and steered the
puck into the corner to end the period.
Drexel started the first period riding the momentum of the
big save and Zach Kudzmas fired home a loose puck to tie the game at three.
Moments later with the man advantage, Jim Rish found Jason Mardinly who fired
the puck into the back of the net for a 4-3 lead. Neumann responded a few minutes
later when Dominic Mariotti beat his defenseman along the boards and found Kyle
Struble back door to tie the game at four.
Two minutes later, Andrew Nguyen forced a turnover and found
Chris Adams for the second time during the game to put Drexel back on top 5-4. Ryan
Haswell thought he had tied things up for Neumann but Kevin Appel made a nice
glove save. Appel couldn't control the rebound though, and Jon Donohue found
the back of the net for the second time in the game to tie the game once again.
With 35 seconds to go, Neumann forced an offensive zone draw and used it to
their advantage. Ryan Haswell won the draw and spun off the defenseman,
throwing the puck back door to Jon Donohue for the second straight goal.
Donohue made no mistake and deposited the puck for a 6-5 lead at the end of two
periods of play.
Steve Klenk came out flying in the third period, scoring on
during 3 on 3 play to give Neumann the two goal lead for the first time since
the opening minutes of the first period. Klenk scored again moments later for
the hat trick. Klenk gained the Drexel zone and the defense backed in on the
goalie, sensing the opportunity, Klenk let go a wicked slap shot to beat the
goalie stick side for an 8-5 lead.
Chris Adams would find Jim Rish on the power play to cut the
lead back down to two goals. With four minutes to go in the game, Drexel came
within inches of cutting the lead back to one goal. Sean Yingling would have
the final say, making a nice stick save on an Andrew Nguyen shot and effectively
sealing the win as Neumann would hold on for a 10-7 victory.