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Wildcats Scratch Out MG

By MJ Hammett, 02/26/14, 7:45PM CST

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Parker Nets A Pair, MG Furious Rally Falls Short.

   The Verona Wildcats rallied for 3 goals in the second period then withstood a late rally from MG to win 3-2 in the Section Six semifinal  in  Verona.

   Verona trailed 1-0 after the first period. While leading in shots 15-7 MG scored first when brothers Travis and Zach Johnston got a 2 on 2 rush going. The two defenders collapsed on Zach and Travis scored high on Alex Jones for the goal.

  Verona continued the offensive barrage but it was a strange bounce that got the 'Cats tied. On a dump in, the MG goalie Andryi Nahirniak looked unsure on how to handle the soft dump on net. He seemed to look up at the last second to see where the forward was and the puck bounced off his stick. Brogan Baker kept coming on the play and tapped the puck in the net for the tie.
  
   Verona got the lead with 47 seconds left in the second when Charlie Parker got off a wrister from the right circle thru screens for a 2-1 lead. The lead opened to 3-1 with 12 seconds left when a rolling puck was over the goal line . Charlie Parker was credited for the goal.

  The third period saw MG close within 3-2 a minute in but Referee Bill Coneybear immediately waived it off as the net was off its pegs. MG had a 5 on 3 penalty kill to handle in the period, and were able to and scored shortly with the Johnston brothers combining. Zach got the goal with Travis assisting.

  Verona got into penalty trouble late in the game, but won the final 2 face offs to stop MG from tying the game. Verona now moves on to play Big Eight rival Madison West for the right to go to State. Saves for MG were 31, 18 for Verona.