Trailing 1-0 heading into the third period, the Cranston boys hockey team would score a pair of goals to take the late advantage over first-place Blackstone Valley Schools in a pivotal Division II matchup. However, BVS would find the back of the net three times in the final eight minutes to squash the Falcons’ comeback bid and maintain control of the top of the standings with the 4-2 win.

Jared Prior and Justin Drohen scored Cranston’s goals in the opening seven minutes of the third period, and it was right around that time that things got messy in the penalty box as a combined five penalties were called in a two-minute span, forcing each team to adjust on the fly.

The numerous penalties stymied Cranston’s momentum, according to coach Matt Brannon, who was otherwise pleased with his team’s performance.

“The first two periods we competed well. The game against South Kingstown, the effort wasn’t there until the third period so we challenged them to compete for 45 minutes today. The first two periods went well, we had some opportunities, made come corrections heading into the third period and were able to capitalize. Then the circus happened with all the penalties which made it tough to get back to playing 5-on-5 hockey,” Brannon said.

Brannon added: “You never want to get into a penalty-riddled game at that point because now you’re riding the same three to six guys. You don’t know who’s going in the box, out of the box, which penalties were expiring. It was one of the weirdest situations that I have been in.”

Although Cranston trailed 1-0 through two periods, the Falcons kept up with BVS and finished the day with just one fewer shot on net. Cranston goalie Jaedon Case finished with 21 saves in net.

“Hockey is a game of bounces. We thought we had some opportunities, we had some odd-man rushes, we had chances in their zone but the puck didn’t bounce our way. We had some good o-zone possessions and chances with the puck,” Brannon said.

The Falcons dropped to 3-3 but remain in second place in the conference. Cranston will take on undefeated Ponaganset on Friday, who is currently in first place on the other side of Division II.