Leo and Homestead battled in the first game to start the second half of the FWAHA season. Alex Dougherty, the only Spartan to get a win, got the nod for Homestead. Xander Mulholland, who has a record coming into the game of 4-3, was in the net for the Leo Lions.

First Period

Homestead had a huge hit not even five seconds into the game – along the near boards in the neutral zone. Leo went on the penalty kill at 3:46 as Colton Calhoun elbowed Jacob Fogwell at center ice. 9 seconds left into the power play; Homestead got on the board at 1:55. Evan Arnold shot it to Daniel Martinsky, who tipped it over Mulholland’s head. Mason Guttmann with the secondary assist. At the end of the first, shots were even at 6.  

Second Period

Leo went back to the penalty kill only 33 seconds into the second as Alex Hendricks went off for roughing. Colin Robison had a shorthanded attempt all alone but was stoned by Alex Dougherty. Homestead’s Cole Strick called for a rough at 11:54. Captain Loxton decked Sammy Schwartz in the Homestead zone at 9:31. Jacob Llewellyn hit a Lion right in front of the Leo bench and was punished for 12 minutes. A 2 and 10 for head contact. Leo’s Schwartz called for unsportsmanlike conduct at 2:58. Henry Loxton crosschecked Mulholland in the crease and was penalized at 2:02. Colton Calhoun collected the pass, out front and sent it five-hole on Dougherty on the power play. Robison and Hendricks had the assists. With 11 seconds left in the second frame, Hendricks went off for an unsportsmanlike conduct. Leo had the better of the shots in the second, leading the Spartans 25 to 13.

Third Period

Daniel Martinsky was called for Slashing at 14:06. Andrew Litwinko was able to grab the puck right out in front and send the Spartans into the lead once more, stick side on Mulholland at 10:29, unassisted. Henry Loxton was called for covering the puck in the crease which led to Colin Robison having a chance with a Penalty Shot. Robison shot low stick side and scored at 9:34. The Homestead Spartans once again regained momentum in their favor as Mason Gutmann was right in front of Mulholland and had the puck all alone. He shot top shelf blocker-side and scored at 8:22. Litwinko and McNary got the assists. Tyson Finefrock was able to tie the game at 3 with 2:28 left to go when he sent the puck in the slot. Robison had his third point of the night and Jackson Reith got the other assist. There was a scrum behind the net where Dougherty thought play was over. Alex Hendricks was able to slide the puck on the goal line and score with 54.6 seconds left to seal the deal. That game-winning goal was the first time the Lions had led. The final shot tally was 36 Leo and 20 Homestead.

This article was written by Fiona Quinn. (1/10/24)

p.s. If you’re looking for Week 9 articles, they will be up very quickly!