The Emmaus ice hockey team was in need of a spark. The team has been on a recent slide, losing seven consecutive games dating back to early November.

Last Monday evening the Hornets thought they were finding their way. Trailing 2-0 midway through the second period, they scored two unanswered goals to tie the game heading into the final period. But Liberty had the answer. The Hurricanes scored the winner a little over three minutes in and held on for a 3-2 win at Lehigh Valley Ice Arena.

“Tonight was some of the best hockey I’ve seen the guys play all season,” said head coach Jamie Rieder. “They gave a lot of effort, and it came from everybody on the team. Toshan [Doodnauth] had probably his best game of the season back there in goal for us. It was tough losing in the end, but they gave it their all and I’m proud of their effort.”

Doodnauth made 31 saves and kept his team in striking distance all game.

“He had a real confident game tonight,” said Rieder. “He made some really big saves early on and that momentum just kept going. The defense played really well in front of him as well. If he can consistently make saves like he did tonight, it’ll keep us in a lot of games and give us the opportunity to win.”

The teams battled to a scoreless draw after one period, but both responded scoring two goals each in the second.

The Hurricanes scored twice within a six-minute frame with goals from Erik Sundlof and Colin Eagan to take what seemed like a commanding two goal lead. Even with 10 shots on goal before Liberty scored it’s second goal, the Green Hornets could not seem to break through.

But a little less than a minute later, Justin Hurlburt got Emmaus on the board, sending a wrist-shot that hit the top of the cross bar but crossed the line for a goal. Noah Brown tied the game with his sixth goal of the year with just 32 seconds left in the second period.

“Those goals were big for us,” Rieder added. “Going down 2-0 so quickly, we needed a spark, and those two did it for us.”

Liberty had more of the opportunities in the third period, and took advantage of it. The Hurricanes out-shot the Green Hornets 13-5 in the final frame and found the back of the net three minutes in thanks to a goal from Damian Dziadowicz.

Emmaus had some chances to tie it again late in the game, but could not finish. They take the ice again the last two Monday nights in January against Northampton and Phillipsburg to end the season.