JENKINS TWP. — During the regular season Wyoming Valley West forward Bo Johnson scored one goal.

But his second goal, which came in the second period of Wednesday’s NEPA Scholastic Hockey League playoff game, propelled his team to a win over Back Mountain.

Dan Polachek had a goal and two assists and Adam Harbaugh’s power-play tally proved to be the difference as Valley West defeated Back Mountain 6-3 to advance to the semifinals.

Valley West head coach Daniel Harrison called the win a “team effort” and singled out Johnson’s goal, which broke a 2-2 tie, for changing the momentum.

“He stepped up and sparked the team. That was his second goal of the season and that got us all going,” Harrison said.

Valley West gained the lead twice in the first period only to have Back Mountain battle back to tie it each time.

Polachek scored just 30 seconds into the game when he finished off a two-on-one rush with a shot under the crossbar. A turnover in the offensive zone by Valley West allowed Back Mountain to tie it three minutes later, but the Spartans would make it 2-1 on a power-play goal by Sal Gurnari followed by a save by goaltender Ken Vought on a one-timer in front to maintain the lead.

Back Mountain did manage to tie it up late in the first period and neither team found the back of the net in the second.

But the Spartans scored three unanswered goals in the third to take control.

Johnson’s goal, which made it 3-2, came off a faceoff win in the offensive zone. Polachek gained the puck and dished a pass to Johnson in the slot, who shot the puck inside the far post to make it 3-2.

Later in the period, Back Mountain took two penalties and Valley West struck again on the power play when Harbaugh took a pass from Polachek and one-timed into the net for a 4-2 lead.

Harrison said maintaining the lead in the final period was a critical test for his team.

“We had trouble losing leads in the third period this entire season,” he said. “To be in a tight game in the playoffs when it matters most, this was the best game we played all season. Everyone stepped up.”

The Spartans will now face top-ranked Susquehanna in the semifinals. After Wednesday’s performance, Harrison said his team is up to the task.

“Susquehanna is a very good team but they can be beat,” he said. “They continue to out-grind you and outwork you, but if you lay it on them and don’t give them anything, they can be beaten.

“As long as we play as a team, we have one of the best shots, if not the best shot, to win it.”

Back Mountain’s Brenden Jesse, center, gets mobbed by his teammates after scoring a goal against Wyoming Valley West Wednesday night at the Revolution Ice Centre in Jenkins Township.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_WVW-BkMtnHockey_2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgBack Mountain’s Brenden Jesse, center, gets mobbed by his teammates after scoring a goal against Wyoming Valley West Wednesday night at the Revolution Ice Centre in Jenkins Township. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Wyoming Valley West’s Nick Kreidler, center left, battles Back Mountain’s Trevor Kruczek for the puck in front of goalkeeper Ken Vought at the Revolution Ice Centre in Jenkins Township on Wednesday night.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_WVW-BkMtnHockey_1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Valley West’s Nick Kreidler, center left, battles Back Mountain’s Trevor Kruczek for the puck in front of goalkeeper Ken Vought at the Revolution Ice Centre in Jenkins Township on Wednesday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By Tom Venesky

TVenesky@timesleader.com

Reach Tom Venesky on Twitter @TomVenesky