Auslander leads PDS past Father Judge in final home game

PRINCETON >> Coby Auslander has scored tons of goals in his career at Princeton Day. Some were gamewinners and some won championships, but the one against Father Judge might be the one he remembers most.

It was a short-handed goal, it sealed the Panthers’ win and what made it so memorable was it could be his final goal on the McGraw Rink ice.

After dispatching Father Judge, 6-4, on Monday, Auslander and the Panthers head to Pottstown, Pa., for a Mid-Atlantic League playoff game with Hill.

PDS (14-11-1) is the No. 3 seed and Hill is No. 2. Lawrenceville, the top seed, will face No. 4 Portledge at Loucks Ice Center.

“It was a bittersweet night for us,’’ said Auslander, who has scored over 100 goals. “All us seniors we have worked so hard for this program. It’s been a long journey together and it was an awesome game.’’

Auslander and another senior, Ty Eastman, certainly did their part to make it a special senior night.

“Ty had a great night,’’ said Auslander of his fellow senior. “We owe a lot of it to him. It was an awesome night.’’

Auslander had four goals and two assists and Eastman had two goals and three assists. Luke Antonacci had two assists and Justin Sherman one.

“I’m happy with the result, but I’m not thrilled with the way we played,’’ said PDS coach Scott Bertoli. “If we play like that on Wednesday (Hill) it won’t go in our favor. It was nice for the seniors in their final game here.’’

Father Judge saw Thomas Scannell score a pair with an assist. Matt Ryan and Owen Newhouse each had a goal. Newhouse added two assists and Sean Melso had an assist.

Princeton Day scored first and although the game was tied three times, the Crusaders never led as the Panthers answered every goal.

“We had a response, which is encouraging,’’ said Bertoli. “Our challenge is we are missing two forwards (David Sherman and Alex Allen) and they won’t be back for Wednesday.’’

After a tight first two periods that saw PDS up 2-1, the goals were flowing in the final period and seven were scored.

Judge tied the score at 4-4 on a Scannell goal with 6:14 left in the game. Auslander answered at 4:53 to make it 5-4 and then came the short-handed clincher with 2:28 left.

“It felt really good,’’ said Auslander. “We knew that they were going to have a push on the power play. But, I got a nice bounce and I was able to pick my spot and just hit it. It was a good feeling, that’s for sure.’’

And now comes the challenge of Hill.

“It’s been a long season a couple of ups and downs and a few injuries here and there,’’ said Auslander. “I think we are ready for Hill. They are a strong group. We are going to show up and play great defense.’’

A few more memorable goals from Auslander and Eastman would be nice, too. Father Judge 0 1 3 – 4

Princeton Day 1 1 4 – 6

Goals: FJ: Scannell 2, Ryan, Newhouse. PDS: Auslander 4, Eastman 2 Assists: FJ: Newhouse 2, Scannell, Melso. PDS: Eastman 3, Auslander 2, Antonacci 2, Sherman

Shots: FJ 28, PDS 25. Saves: FJ: Allendorf 19, PDS: Lee: 24.