Hockey: Providence evens series with Fenwick
By Dan Ruane For Sun-Times Media March 1, 2013 11:40PM
Updated: April 4, 2013 6:27AM
There’s no place like home for Providence.
The Celtics knotted their Kennedy Cup semifinal at one game apiece by hanging on for a 2-1 win Friday night over Fenwick at Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park. The decisive Game 3 will be played at the Edge West — Fenwick’s home rink — at 8:30 p.m. March 9.
“We feel more confident at home,’’ Providence forward Michael Bonaguro said. “We just have to do that at their place now.’’
Bonaguro scored both of Providence’s goals. He started the scoring when he took a feed from Vince Kesic just outside the Fenwick blue line and split the defense to go in alone on goalie Zachary Danna alone. Bonaguro faked with his forehand before lifting a backhander over a sprawling Danna for a 1-0 lead with 11:45 remaining in the first period.
Bonaguro’s second goal came midway though the second period.
“He’s played great in this series,’’ Providence coach Nick Iaciancio said. “He’s working hard and getting on the body, and he’s only a sophomore.’’
Providence dominated the action throughout the first two periods, which was a turnaround from the first game, which Fenwick (39-11-5) won 4-2. The Celtics (45-11-4) outshot the Friars 25-13 through the first two periods Friday and were using their bodies to block shots to protect goalie Justin Salazar.
Just as important, the Celtics kept Fenwick’s line of Joey Scorpio, Ben Kohen and Ian Murdoch under control for most of the game. That line produced three goals in Game 1.
“They had the home-ice advantage,’’ Fenwick coach Kurt Kabot said. “They could make line changes when they wanted to. As a coach, I like the way they play the game. They play hard and disciplined, and I like them besides us.”
The Friars finally broke through in the third period when Murdoch shoved home a nice feed from Kohen to cut the lead to 2-1 with 2:15 to play.
