By Warren Kozireski–
Ronin VanDamme scored two goals and Hayden Feck assisted on three goals to lead Pittsford to a 4-2 victory over McQuaid in the first Section V Class A hockey semi-final held at RIT’s Polisseni Center.
McQuaid struck first just 2:52 into the contest as Charlie Merkley took a pass from Zack Lee, raced down the right wing and backhanded the puck into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Pittsford responded with a power play goal at 6:13 of the first as Ronin VanDamme drove the puck through the five-hole off a cross crease pass from Hayden Feck.
The Panthers added another power play goal later in the first period when VanDamme scored on a wraparound to put them up 2-1.
Shawn Alexander scored the only goal of the second period as he pounced on a puck that was turned over in the slot and beat the goaltender glove side to make it 3-1 Pittsford.
“Once we got the two-goal lead, we tried to put a couple of guys high and back-check as hard as we could,” VanDamme said.
Danny Judge gave the Panthers a three-goal cushion just 1:15 into the third off assists from Feck and Jack Petersen.
McQuaid closed to within 4-2 with only 14 seconds remaining as Lee scored with assists from Tim Brown and Ryan McEvily.
Pittsford goaltender Alex Tidd was credited with 22 saves, despite leaving at 6:13 in the first period following a collision. He returned at the start of the second and finished the contest.
Pittsford will face the winner on Monday of the other Class A semi-final between Fairport and Penfield.
“Fairport beat us 7-1 the last time we played them so we want some revenge and Penfield beat us in overtime so we have revenge for both teams,” VanDamme said.
