Ice Hockey News

By: Jared Barton

North Allegheny ice hockey hosted Thomas Jefferson for Senior Night at the Baierl Ice Complex on Monday night in the final game of the regular season. The Jaguars jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, taking down the Tigers 4-1.

Thomas Jefferson opened the scoring in the first five minutes of the contest off a goal from Owen Michael, assisted by Carter Merrell and Emery Molnar. The Tigers outshot the Jaguars in the first two periods, but could not find many quality scoring chances.

TJ added the second goal of the game just 16 seconds into the second stanza. Carter Artman found the back of the net on a wrist shot in the middle slot, assisted by Merrll and Jacob Simon. The Jaguars took a 3-0 lead on a Jake Pritchard goal just about three minutes later, assisted by Delko Joyce and Garrett Fetzko.

Thomas Jefferson extended the lead to 4-0 in the middle stages of the final period on a goal that was touched by Molnar before hitting an NA player and sneaking behind sophomore Chris Costa, who came in relief of senior Drew Pompa. The Tigers cracked the code on the power play with a goal from senior Joey Mitchell, assisted by fellow seniors Adam Bradley and Alex Costa. Mitchell took home Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors.

Chris Costa made 12 saves in net after Pompa initially stopped five shots. Ben Balducci was credited with the win and made 21 saves.

North Allegheny stays put with 34 points and falls out of third place in the AAA Standings. The Tigers await the completion of the rest of the regular season games around the league before they determine who and where they will play in the opening round of the Penguins Cup Playoffs.

ICE HOCKEY SUMMARY VS. THOMAS JEFFERSON, 2-23-25

SCORE BY PERIODS	1st	2nd	3rd	FINAL
Thomas Jefferson	1	2	1	4
North Allegheny	0	0	1	1