A shorthanded goal in the third period proved the difference on Thursday, as Thomas Jefferson claimed a 2-1 victory against Greater Latrobe at the Kirk Nevin Arena in Greensburg.

The loss drops Greater Latrobe to 10-5-1, and the Wildcats remain in third place in the PIHL Class AA with 21 points. The Jaguars, conversely, improve to 8-6-0, and with 16 points, TJ is tied for fifth place.

Thomas Jefferson, the defending PIHL Class AA Penguins Cup champion, scored the lone goal of the opening period, as defenseman Nick Best staked his team to a lead approximately seven minutes in, powering his way past a pair of Wildcats, and depositing a shot past Greater Latrobe goalie JM Krajc.

Still trailing 1-0 at the intermission, the Wildcats found the equalizer less than a minute into the third. After killing off the remainder of a carryover penalty, the Wildcats were boosted by a pair of seniors, as defenseman Jack Beddick released a shot from the point, and Peyton Myers redirected it past TJ goalie Aidan Dougherty. Myers, the leading scorer for the Wildcats, collected his 12th goal of the season.

Less than five minutes later, the Wildcats had a golden opportunity to take their first lead of the night on the power play. The man advantage backfired, though, as the Jaguars forced a turnover, and Nathan Weiss feathered a cross-ice feed to Jake Stock, who finished the one-timer to give TJ the 2-1 advantage.

The Jaguars displayed their strong defensive game for the remainder of the contest, as they stifled the Wildcats to secure the victory.

In the setback, Krajc registered 25 saves for GL, while Dougherty recorded 22 saves to earn the victory for Thomas Jefferson.

Greater Latrobe next plays on Feb. 2, as the Wildcats will host Penn-Trafford. Thomas Jefferson, meanwhile, returns to action on Monday, welcoming Mars Area.