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WILKES-BARRE — They’re the Bad News Bears of high school ice hockey.

With a team comprised of players from several high schools and a practice rink that is only open for part of the year, the Susquehanna Stampede relied on a common bond to dominate the NEPA Scholastic Hockey League for most of the regular season and win the championship on Monday — 4-3 over the Wyoming Area Warriors.

“We’re just a bunch of kids from Central Pennsylvania that love the game,” said Susquehanna head coach Lewis “Chip” Marrara.

The Stampede killed off three Wyoming Area power plays — including 32 seconds of a two-man advantage, in the second period, scored three times in the third and staved off a frantic push by the Warriors in the final minutes to preserve the win.

Senior Preston Shearer scored twice — including the game-winner — and Jack Marrara had a goal and three assists while goaltender Mike Novatnack stopped a flurry of shots in the final seconds to preserve the one-goal lead for Susquehanna.

The Stampede finished the regular season as the top team in the NEPASHL with a 13-1 record, and on Monday they came out with confidence as senior Jack Marrara scored on a rebound to take a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the game.

Wyoming Area tied it with a power-play goal from Alex Hawk, who one-timed a pass from Brendan Lee to make it 1-1.

Susquehanna was hit with three straight penalties in the first half of the second period, including 32 seconds of a Warrior two-man advantage, but came out unscathed.

“That was a major turning point,” said Susquehanna senior Riley Shaw. “We got our formation tight, blocked shots and iced the puck.”

Wyoming Area appeared to take a 2-1 lead 51 seconds into the third period when Lee’s shot hit Novatnack and the puck fell out from under his arm and across the line, but the official had already whistled the play dead.

Five minutes later the Warriors did manage a 2-1 lead when Lee beat Novatnack with a backhander.

After that, Susquehanna scored three straight on Warriors goaltender Jacob Urban — including two on the power play, in a five-minute span to build a 4-2 advantage.

Shearer said it was a big feat to beat a goaltender like Urban four times on the night.

“We had a few re-directions that went in,” Shearer said. “(Urban) is a great goalie and he has a great glove. To put up four on him was pretty good, especially with the circumstances of this game.”

The Warriors battled back with time winding down. Head coach Bill Weiss pulled Urban for the extra attacker with less than two minutes remaining, and the Warriors connected on a slapshot from the point to make it 4-3.

As the final minute ticked away, Wyoming Area maintained possession in the Susquehanna end and peppered Novatnack with shots from both sides of the net, but to no avail.

After the game Novatnack was still in disbelief that his team withstood the pressure to hold the lead.

“It was crazy. I just wanted to see that puck leave the zone,” he said. “For 30 seconds it was nothing but a scramble in my crease, and it was a miracle that nothing went in.”

During the regular season Susquehanna was 1-1 against Wyoming Area and Monday’s win cemented the respect between the two teams.

“Wyoming Area is a good team with talented players. They match us better than any other team in the league,” Shaw said. “They played a perfect game.”

But Susquehanna was just a goal better, and the win was a fitting end for the seniors on a Stampede team formed by players from several schools but is now bonded by a championship.

“Last season we finished a little above .500 and we had the same guys,” said Jack Marrara. “Something clicked this year. The seniors here have been together all four years and to win the championship was the perfect ending.”

Wyoming Area forward Brendan Lee slides into Susquehanna goaltender Mike Novatnack during the second period of play at the Toyota Sportsplex in Monday’s NEPASHL championship game. Fred Adams | For Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_shl1_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area forward Brendan Lee slides into Susquehanna goaltender Mike Novatnack during the second period of play at the Toyota Sportsplex in Monday’s NEPASHL championship game. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Wyoming Area goalie Jacob Urban makes a block on a Susquehanna shot on goal Monday in the NEPASHL Final at the Toyota Sportsflex ————-Fred Adams|for Times Leader 2-27-17
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_shl2_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area goalie Jacob Urban makes a block on a Susquehanna shot on goal Monday in the NEPASHL Final at the Toyota Sportsflex ————-Fred Adams|for Times Leader 2-27-17

Wyoming Areas CJ Rome (left) and Susquehannas Riley Shaw battle for the puck against the boards in the NEPASHL Final Monday at the Toyoa Sportsflex ————-Fred Adams|for Times Leader 2-27-17
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_shl3_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Areas CJ Rome (left) and Susquehannas Riley Shaw battle for the puck against the boards in the NEPASHL Final Monday at the Toyoa Sportsflex ————-Fred Adams|for Times Leader 2-27-17

Wyoming Areas Brandan Lee pushes the puck down ice against Susquehanna in the NEPASHL Final Monday at the Toyoa Sportflex ————-Fred Adams|for Times Leader 2-27-17
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_shl4_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Areas Brandan Lee pushes the puck down ice against Susquehanna in the NEPASHL Final Monday at the Toyoa Sportflex ————-Fred Adams|for Times Leader 2-27-17

The Wyoming Area Warriors react to their 4-3 lose in the NEPASHL Final to Susquehanna ————-Fred Adams|for Times Leader 2-27-17
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_shl5_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Wyoming Area Warriors react to their 4-3 lose in the NEPASHL Final to Susquehanna ————-Fred Adams|for Times Leader 2-27-17

Wyoming Areas Alex Hawk ponders the 4-3 lose to Susquehanna in the NEPASHL Final Monday ————-Fred Adams|for Times Leader 2-27-17
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_shl6_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Areas Alex Hawk ponders the 4-3 lose to Susquehanna in the NEPASHL Final Monday ————-Fred Adams|for Times Leader 2-27-17
Susquehanna holds off Wyoming Area’s final charge

By Tom Venesky

[email protected]

VIDEO

For video of Susquehanna head coach Chip Marrara talking about the win, see the online version of this story at timesleader.com.

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