Wildcats Top Culver in Overtime

Sophomore Adam Fantilli scored for the Wildcats in the first minute of 3-on-3 overtime to cap a dramatic win over Culver Academy on Saturday at the True Prep Cup at Merrimack College. KUA began the game well when junior Sean Donoghue tipped home a shot from classmate Nic Bernardo. Culver answered a few minutes later and the first period ended in a 1-1 tie. The Wildcats controlled the play in the second period, getting goals from senior Sullivan Mack and junior Liam Walsh. But Culver countered late in the period to make the score 3-2 KUA after two periods. A wild third period saw Culver tie the game at three before junior Luca Fantilli took a feed from senior Tomas Mazura, drove wide, and cut to the net before burying the go-ahead goal. Culver responded again, knotting the game at four with just three minutes to play. Culver took a penalty, sending KUA to the powerplay with two minutes left, but a Culver shorthanded goal with 50 seconds to play gave them a 5-4 lead and put the game in jeopardy for the Wildcats. However, with goalie Zak Brice pulled for the extra attacker, Bernardo kept the puck in at the point and set up senior Andrew Noel, whose wrist shot found the back of the net with 20 seconds to play, sending the game into overtime. In the extra frame, Mazura made a nice pass to the streaking Fantilli who, despite being hauled down, was able to score the game-winner and set up a match with Shattuck-St. Mary's on Sunday.