WILKES-BARRE — Back Mountain knew it had to take control in the third period of the varsity ice hockey championship game on Feb 26.

And the team’s players had a track record of proving they could do it.

In the NEPA Scholastic Hockey League championship game, Back Mountain did it again, turning in another strong final period to down Wyoming Area, 8-4.

Back Mountain scored four unanswered goals in the third period Monday after both teams exchanged the lead three times in the first two periods. Brenden Jesse led the way for Back Mountain with four goals, while Trevor Kruczd a goal and two assists.

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Wyoming Area came out hard to open the third period, peppering Back Mountain goaltender Donald Rosenkrans with shots. But Rosenkrans came up big, including a stop on Wyoming Area’s Pat Musinski in front.

Wyoming Areae scored the game-winner and had two goals and Zachary Aben did manage to strike first in the final period when Jake Switzer fired a wrister from the slot for a 4-4 tie.

But Back Mountain struck just 26 seconds later when Aben’s shot was stopped, but the puck laid in front where Kruczek lifted it into the open net. The goal gave Back Mountain a 5-4 lead and would prove to be the game-winner.

In two meetings during the regular season, Back Mountain was 1-1 against Wyoming Area.

Back Mountain’s David Smith blocks Wyoming Area’s Pat Musinski as they battle for the puck during Monday’s NEPASHL championship.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_wa_bk2_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgBack Mountain’s David Smith blocks Wyoming Area’s Pat Musinski as they battle for the puck during Monday’s NEPASHL championship. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

By Tom Venesky

tvenesky@timesleader.com

Reach Tom Venesky at 570-991-6395 or on Twitter @TomVenesky