The visiting Southern Tier Xpress spoiled the final home game of the regular season after defeating the Niagara Falls PowerHawks 7-2 at the Hyde Park Ice Pavilion Friday evening. The Xpress continue to fight for a playoff spot in the East Division, while the PowerHawks have locked up second place in the Northeast Division.
The Xpress struck first with the only goal of the first period when Stuart Pearson put the puck behind Alvin Dow. The goal, coming at 7:37 of the first, was assisted by Michael Lamison and Joey Gerace.
Only 33 seconds into the second period, Gerace gave the Xpress a 2-0 lead. Chris Dusek provided the assist. Waltteri Makinen extended the lead with a goal at 2:59 that Dusek also assisted on. Nick Wilcox made it 4-0 for the visitors at 12:37, assisted by Nic Allen. Gerace closed out the scoring for the second period with his second goal of that frame at 13:02. Lamison was credited with the lone assist.
Southern Tier continued their scoring prowess in the third period when Brian Grant made it 6-0 99 seconds into the period. Lamison tallied his third assist of the game on the score. Niagara Falls finally broke the goose egg on the scoreboard when Andrew Logar scored a power play goal at 3:05. Brandon Schweickert provided the assist.
Southern Tier answered back with Tommy Mueke’s goal at 4:08. Gerace was credited with the assist, giving him four points on the night. Andrew Logar scored the last goal of the game, a power play goal at 8:19. Spencer Hrynczak assisted.
Ryan Pascarella made 38 saves on 40 shots faced while picking up the win for the Xpress. Alvin Dow stopped 43 of 49 shots in net for the PowerHawks.
The same two teams face off Saturday evening at Jamestown Savings Bank Arena at 7:00pm. The PowerHawks have four additional games after the Southern Tier matchup before the playoffs being. On March 3rd and 4th, they will be visiting New Jersey to take on the Skylands Kings. March 6th, they will face the Oswego Stampede. They close out the regular season at Rochester on March 9th, when they play the Roc City Royals.