Heights advanced to the round of 16 in the State Tournament with their second
consecutive multi-overtime stunner. The Tigers followed a double-overtime win versus
North Olmsted with a 5-4 triple-overtime victory against the Trinity Trojans. This game
certainly didn't look like it would be that close after a commanding first period for
Heights. Jeff Houser scored once,
Ben Winger scored twice, and the Tigers cruised to the
intermission with a 3-1 lead. Trinity came back to make it a tight game in the second
period. Due in large part to penalties, the Trojans controlled the period, outshot the
Tigers 17-7, and tied the score at three apiece. Heights penalties continued to be a
problem in the third period. The Tigers briefly regained the lead when Jeff Houser scored
shorthanded, but Trinity made it 4-4 with a powerplay goal immediately after. That's how
the score remained for the rest of the third period, the first two overtime periods, and
the start of the third overtime. 2:32 into overtime number three, Captain
Jared Lavender capped off an end-to-end rush with his
second goal of the season to end the game. Just moments earlier, Trinity had a potential
winning goal disallowed because the net had come off its moorings. Aside from that
disallowed goal, the Trojans could put nothing past goaltender
Ben Gaglioti in overtime. Gaglioti turned aside numerous
deflected shots, odd-man rushes, and two Trinity breakaways to keep Heights alive. He
finished with 40 saves and his tenth win of the year.
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