Zero tolerance
Butler goalie Schnur stellar in Tornado’s 1-0 hockey win

By Josh Rizzo Eagle Staff Writer 

MIDDLESEX TWP — Zach Schnur never had an opportunity to settle into his skates as the starting goalie for the Butler hockey team. 
An injury to the only other goalie on the Golden Tornado's roster, Jake Curry, pushed Schnur into the starting role.  
During a 1-0 win over Bethel Park Monday night at Ice Connection, the senior goaltender appeared comfortable in tough situations.  
Schnur, who is in his first year on the varsity team, stopped 21 shots to help the Golden Tornado improve to 4-0-1.
“I come out every game and know I have to give my team a chance,” said Schnur, who is second in the PIHL with a .98 GAA in five starts and has recorded two shutouts. “I can't win a game, they can. I just save the game.” 
Saving the game required Butler do a lot of defending. The Golden Tornado took seven penalties. 
Butler junior defenseman Sam Gross said they were determined to not let Bethel Park get good looks at the net. 
“It really helps because you want to play for him, you want to help him do well because he does so well for you,” Gross said.  
Cameron Barto and Trevor Gilliland took penalties 35 seconds apart six minutes into the first period. 
The Golden Tornado killed the 5-on-3 power play, but not before Antonio Esposito had a shot that clanked off the post. 
“Zach's our confidence right now,” second-year Butler coach Patrick Hammonds said. “He has been one of our hardest workers all year and the guys have respect for him. When we falter, he's there for us.” 
The Golden Tornado put plenty of pucks on net trying to help take the pressure off Schnur. Butler out-shot Bethel Park 32-21, including a 14-7 edge in the first period. 
William Lowe was excellent in net for the Black Hawks (4-1-1), making 31 saves. Lowe robbed Barto two minutes into the second period. 
Barto intercepted a pass at the blue line and skated in on Lowe, who made a glove save. 
“He broke his skate in warm-ups and didn't warm up,” Bethel Park coach Jim McVay said. “I told him he's not allowed to warm up next game.” 
Gross scored the game's lone goal on a power play in the third period. Bethel Park's Evan Oakley drew a five-minute major penalty for cross checking and a game misconduct for checking Brendan Ackelson into the boards with 11 minutes, 57 seconds remaining. 
Fifty-one seconds later, Jonathan Fair put a shot on net that bounced off Lowe's glove. Gross batted it out of the air and scored. 
The Black Hawks played the final 1:37 with an empty net. Bethel Park nearly evened the game when Tyler Kruszewski caught a pass on the back post and pushed his shot just wide. 
Butler's defense was able to dig in and keep the Black Hawks off the board. 
“Our defensive team structure has been something we've been working on for a long time,” Hammonds said. “It's something this team has bought into and has built an identity with. We talk a lot about the defense being the work zone. These guys are willing to work hard and do it as a team.” 
That's something Schnur appreciates as he tries to settle into his role for Butler. 
“It's faster,” Schnur said. “It's mind games you have to play with them. It's all mental. You just have to get in their head.”