Box Score WATERTOWN, Mass. – Justin Danforth forced a deciding game three in the Sacred Heart men's hockey team's first round Atlantic Hockey Tournament series at Bentley, scoring the game-winning goal 13:06 into overtime to give the Pioneers a 2-1 win at John A. Ryan Arena.
After a scoreless first period, Bentley (12-18-6, 10-14-6 AHC) took a 1-0 lead with 9:19 remaining in the second period when Tyler Deresky corralled an errant shot in front of the net and banged the puck past Pioneer goalie Brett Magnus low stick side.
Sacred Heart (13-19-4, 11-15-3 AHC) tied the game 1-1 with 7:21 left in regulation. With the Pioneers on a power play, Connor Doherty took the puck at mid-ice and skated in on the left side, through the crease and beat Gabe Antoni with a backhanded shot.
In overtime, after multiple scoring chances by each side, Sacred Heart was finally able to convert. Jasper forced a turnover in the Sacred Heart zone, leading to a three-on-one rush for the Pioneers. Jordan Minello threw a centering pass to Danforth who fired the puck past Antoni, popping the water bottle for the game-winning goal.
Saturday marked the Pioneers' first overtime playoff win since March 3, 2010 against Holy Cross. Sacred Heart outshot Bentley 39-37 for the game. Bentley was 0-for-2 on the power play in the game while Sacred Heart went 1-for-4. Brett Magnus was spectacular in the net with 36 saves. Antoni had 37 saves for the Falcons. Danforth's goal was his 20th of the season.
Sacred Heart and Bentley play the finale of their best of three series tomorrow night, Sunday March 6. Faceoff is 7:05pm at the Ryan Arena.
FIRST PERIOD
- Zach Sabatini had two shots in the first 1:10.
- SHU had the first five shots on goal in the game.
- Magnus denied Derek Bacon of a point-blank backhand shot with 8:18 remaining
- Jasper had a shorthanded chance stopped by Antoni in the final seconds of the period.
SECOND PERIOD
– Antoni stopped Danforth's point-blank shot with 4:52 to go.
– Magnus stopped a Michael Reardon shot on a shorthanded breakaway with 3:17 remaining.
- SHU was 0-for-3 on the power play in the period.
THIRD PERIOD
- Magnus stopped a close range shot from Bacon with 14:23 to play.
- Doherty hit a goalpost with 11:35 to go.
- Danforth had two shots saved by Antoni with 10:24 remaining.
- Doherty's goal was his first since Jan. 2 against Niagara, a stretch of 17 games. Mitch Nylen and Liam Clare assisted on the power play goal.
OVERTIME
- Danforth was denied of the game-winner by Antoni with 17:40 to go.
- Gladiuk put a shot wide on a two-on-one rush with 11:25 remainin.
- Danforth's game-winner was his second career overtime game-winning goal.
