Maine engineers strong stretch

A strong week in mid-October sent the Maine Township Hockey Club to the top of the Metro Central conference standings.

In a five-day span, Maine went 2-0-1 to boost its record to 5-0-2.

Against Prairie Ridge, Maine captured a 3-2 win.

Steve Mancuso scored 2 goals, including the game-winner with two minutes left that came off a Mike Neff assist. Vinnie DiFonza also scored, and Jack Rice made 35 saves in goal.

A night earlier, Maine earned a 2-2 tie with Barrington (3-0-1), which is just behind in the conference standings.

Thanks to goals by DiFonzo and Mark Huber, Maine jumped out to a 2-0 lead. DiFonza and Huber both have 5 goals this season.

But Broncos goals by David Nolan and Harrison Pinkus tied the game.

Rice again had a solid effort in goal with 25 saves, while Barrington goalie Scott Karas turned away 19 shots.

Maine kicked off its marathon week with a 4-3 win over Notre Dame, and DiFonza led with 2 goals. Also scoring were Ricky Anderson and Neff on power plays.

Goalie Ian Fitzgerald made 33 saves.

Maine's home opener will be Nov. 9 at Niles Iceland Arena against Prairie Ridge at 7:45 p.m.

• Buffalo Grove/Wheeling remained undefeated after earning a 3-3 tie with St. Charles East in a nonconference game Sunday.

The Metro Northwest's top scoring duo of Kevin Pabst and Anthony Ricciardi both scored early for BG/Wheeling (5-0-4). Alex Grupe also scored off a feed from Ricciardi.

But penalty trouble resulted in BG/Wheeling receiving 10 down the stretch.

BG/Wheeling allowed the tying goal at 9:55 of the third period.

• The hockey notebook is gathered from information provided by area coaches. Team results, information or highlights can be emailed to bswick@dailyherald.com no later than Tuesdays for inclusion in a weekly notebook.