Shawn Sinclair scored just 16 seconds into overtime, propelling Franklin Regional to a 2-1 victory against Penn-Trafford at the Palmer Imaging Arena in Delmont on Monday. Max Rutkowski assisted on the game winner in the three-on-three overtime for the host Panthers.

With the victory, Franklin Regional improved to 10-5-2, and with 22 points, the Panthers moved into sole possession of fourth place in the PIHL Class AA. The Warriors gained a point by reaching overtime, giving them 18 on the season, as their record dipped to 7-7-4.

After a scoreless first period, the Panthers broke the ice at the midway point of the second, as Nick Matus tallied a short-side goal on a feed by Patrick Kochanowski from behind the net.

The Panthers maintained that lead into the third period, when PT’s Bryce Kropczynski scored his team-leading 16th goal on a low shot from distance.

Despite a pair of power plays in the third, one each way, neither team could capitalize, which set the stage for Sinclair’s heroics in extra time.

LISTEN BROADCAST

In the victory, FR netminder David Valentino registered 19 saves. On the other side, Tyler Funk recorded 27 stops for the Warriors.

Franklin Regional returns to the ice on Thursday with a road game against Armstrong at the Belmont Ice Complex in Kittanning. Penn-Trafford, meanwhile, will host the River Hawks next Monday at the Palmer Imaging Arena.