Bonaguro, Providence force decisive game three with Fenwick

There’s no place like home for Providence.

The Celtics knotted up its Kennedy Cup semifinal series by hanging on for a 2-1 win over Fenwick at the Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park. The decisive game three will be played at Fenwick’s home rink, the Edge West, on Saturday, March 9 at 8:30 P.M.

”We feel more confident at home,’’ Providence forward Michael Bonaguro said. ”We just have to do that at their place now.’’

Bonaguro scored both of Providence’s goals. The sophomore started the scoring when he took a feed from Vince Kesic just outside the Fenwick blue-line and split the defense to go in on goalie Zachary Danna alone. Kesic faked forehand and lifted a back-hander over the sprawled Danna for a 1-0 lead with 11:45 remaining in the first period.

”He’s played great in this series,’’ Providence coach Nick Iaciancio said of Bonaguro. “He’ s working hard and getting on the body and he’s only a sophomore.’’

Providence dominated the action throughout the first two periods which was a turnaround from the first game which Fenwick (39-11-5) dominated. The Celtics (45-11-4) outshot the Friars 25-13 through the first two periods and were using their bodies to block shots and protect goalie Justin Salazar.

Just as importantly, the Celtics kept the Joey Scorpio line which includes Ben Kohen and Ian Murdoch under control for most of the game. That line produced three goals in the first game.

”They had the home ice advantage,’’ Fenwick coach Kurt Kabot said. ”They could make line changes when they wanted to. As a coach, I like the way they play the game. They play hard and disciplined and I like them besides us.

The Friars finally broke through in the third period when Murdoch shoved home a nice feed from Kohen to cut the lead to 2-1 with 2:15 to play.