Central Region

NEVILLE ISLAND - A friday night affair at the Island Sports Center featured a rematch of a second round Penguin Cup game which North Hills stunned Central Catholic to move on in the 2001 Playoffs. The Indians picked up where they left off last season to start the 2001-2002 campaign by bolting to a 2-0 lead on a pair of goals by Derek Stein in the first period. The young Vikings were rattled and Russ Hefner made several key saves to keep a managable two goal deficit. In the second with the Vikings on the power play, Anthony Scolieri beat freshman goaltender Casey Dudt-Mulzzet in the five hole to cut the lead to 2-1. The young Vikings continued their onslaught in the third outshooting North Hills 15-3. The Indians had several key chances but could not exted the lead. Then with the goalie pulled and under a minute to play, Rob Donatucci buried a wrist shot upstairs glove side from the top of the circle through a screen to tie the game with just 31 seconds remaining. As the game moved into OT, the Indians earned a 5 on 3 power play, but the young Vikings show a ton of character and killed off the two man disadvantage.Some confusion left Central's John Chmiel in the penalty box for three minutes, but Central survived it and earned a point. For NH coach Jimmy Black, an opportunity missed as his squad heads into the loaded PIHL AAA South Division schedule, where every point will be critical. Central Catholic outshot North Hills 26-23.