A hockey team’s “compete level” is not quantifiable or on a scoresheet, but it’s clear that whatever it is, the JSerra hockey team has it.
Down two goals in the second period, JSerra scored quickly to turn around and beat Bethel Park of Pennsylvania, 5-2, to finish pool play and earn a wild-card berth into the quarterfinals of the USA Hockey High School Pure Division Nationals in Reston, Va., on Saturday.
“The guys kept their noses to grindstone and kept with what our method is,” JSerra coach Mike Perkins said. “We took care of our business and we’re fortunate enough to get the chance to continue.”
JSerra plays Wayzata of Minnesota on Sunday morning with the winner advancing to the semifinals Sunday evening. Wayzata beat JSerra, 3-2, in their Nationals opener on Thursday.
Twenty-one seconds after Bethel Park established its 2-0 lead, Austin Foster scored four-on-four to give JSerra life.
Francis Lemay scored on the power play 37 seconds later, and Blake Reed scored his first of two power play goals to end the second with the Lions on top.
Mason Pilkington hit the empty net in the third for the 5-2 final.
Also in pool play:
Central Catholic (Pa.) 6, Orange Lutheran 4: Ryan Savrak and Shane Vidger gave the Lancers a 2-0 lead, but Central Catholic ended the first period on a four-minute, three-goal surge to grab the win in pool play in Ashburn, Va.
Ryan Fischer tied the game at three, but Central Catholic pushed back with three consecutive goals.
