PLANO – Garrett Phillips and Jory Tedder each scored short handed goals in a strong 3^rd period but it was not enough to reverse earlier lapses as the Rockwall Ice Hockey team (10-9-2) dropped their 5^th game in a row falling to Plano Sr  (12-9-1) 4 to 2, at the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Plano, Mar 13^th. 

The Wildcats took a 2 goal lead early as Rockwall continued to struggle with turnovers and penalties before the team caught fire in the final frame.

“We really started to play together in the third period,” Tedder said. 

The Wildcats jumped on the scoreboard within the first minute winning the initial faceoff then catching Rockwall slow to set up the defense. 

Both teams traded penalties thru much of the first period until late in the frame when Rockwall mounted a surge.  Strong scoring rushes by Chris Thirion, Dustin Roy and Joey Ullmann pushed Plano deep into their zone, but good Wildcat goalie play kept Rockwall off the boards.    

In the second period, Rockwall continued to pressure the Wildcats.  Morgan Cook and Wade MacDonald combined for an odd man rush that required a spectacular save by the Plano goalie to prevent a score. Several controversial calls frustrated both teams.  Rockwall’s defense stiffened with excellent play by Zack Jones, Matt Kinnear and Travis Stockard and strong net minding from David White

Late in the period, Plano forced a turnover behind the Rockwall net and caught the defense off guard for a score and a 2 goal lead.

Rockwall came out strong in the final period but quickly fell into penalty trouble.  On the penalty kill,  Cook won a face off in the Plano zone and drove toward the right side of the net before making a behind-the-back pass to Garrett Phillips who buried the puck in the wide open net for the short handed goal.    

Soon after, still on the penalty kill, a Rockwall defender caught an edge and fell while clearing the puck in front of the Rockwall crease.  Plano jumped on the puck and scored. 

Rockwall responded with a strong offensive thrust with Josh Kinnear, Chris Rogers, and Tyler Abbott putting pressure on the Wildcat defenders. 

Four minutes into the final frame, Plano took advantage of a bouncing puck in the Rockwall zone to increase their lead.  

Rockwall responded with a strong attack that kept the play in the Plano zone for the rest of the game.  Several scoring chances were turned away by Plano’s goalie. 

As time was winding down, and Rockwall again on a penalty kill, Josh Kinnear and Jory Tedder combined for a great give-and-go play that was the last score of the game.  

“Josh gave me a great pass and set me up for the backdoor goal,” Tedder said.

"We finally started to play in the 3^rd period.  It’s taken 5 losses to get to where they need to be,”  Mark Burack, head coach said.  “If we continue to play like we did in the 3^rd period, good things are going to happen.”

Rockwall will next face McKinney (4-16-1) Mar 25^th at the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Plano, then Garland (11-9-2) Mar 27th in Plano to finish the regular season.