Jon Pakutz's goal with eight seconds to play in overtime lifted Butler to a 2-1 win against Franklin Regional in the first round of the PIHL Class AAA playoffs last night at Belmont Arena in Kittaning.

Jared White won a faceoff in the Panthers' end and got the puck back to Pakutz, whose slap shot won the game for the Golden Tornado.

Jimmie Daugherty had given the Panthers (15-9-1) the lead in the first period on an unassisted goal. Butler's B.J. Tipton tied the game with 8:33 remaining in regulation.

Jared Holt stopped 36 of 37 shots for Butler (17-8), which advances to play Meadville Monday night at the Meadville Recreation Center.

Also in Class AAA

Bethel Park 4, Penn-Trafford 2: Michael Diethron had a goal and two assists as the Black Hawks out-shot the Warriors 42-17 en route to the win at the Canter Ice Arena. Bethel Park's Connor McLean broke a 2-2 tie with 1:42 remaning in the second period. Diethron added insurance for the Black Hawks (16-8-1). Jason Hedglen and Jacobus Bliek also scored for Bethel Park. Glen Bowersox and Devon McCusker scored for Penn-Trafford (16-10).

Class AA

Greensburg Central Catholic 1, Cannon-McMillan 0: Josh Kennedy scored the game's lone goal on a wraparound with 5:30 to play as the Centurions (11-9-1) shut out the Big Macs (11-9-1) at the Ice-O-Plex at Southpointe. Mark Stunja and Zach Cuttrell assisted on the tally. Greensburg Central Catholic's Jake Genes made 29 saves.

Class A

Forest Hills 4, Westmont-Hilltop 2: Ben Webb scored two goals and Bryan Parkinson a goal and two assists as the Rangers (16-5-2) overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Hilltoppers (9-12-1) at Planet Ice in Johnstown. Goals by Anthony DeMarco and Ryan Wilson gave Westmont-Hilltop the lead after one period. Kyle Single made 35 saves for the victory.