Goaltender Michael Smoker said it was just hockey, but the physicality, and sometimes chippy play, made for a hockey type of environment.

"That kind of stuff just happens sometimes in hockey," Smoker said. "Their bigger guys stepped up and started hitting, and we didn't back down."

Emmaus rose to the occasion, doing its talking on the scoreboard. Three goals in the first two periods was enough to defeat Pleasant Valley/Quakertown 3-1 Friday night at Lehigh Valley Ice Arena.

"We didn't expect all of the hitting, but we knew they never quit and they were going to give us their best shot," said Nate Kraemer. "We weren't expecting it, and we had to adjust to it as the game went along. Instead of using our speed to get by them, we had to end up playing the body and play their game."

Kramer, the captain, led by example with the opening goal on the power play a little more than two minutes in. Matt Heffelfinger ripped a shot that was blocked away and landed onto the path of a one-time shot from Kraemer. Kevin Foster was also charged with an assist.

Although the Green Hornets held much of the possession and a 30-14 shots on goal edge, Pleasant Valley/Quakertown kept itself in the game thanks to goalkeeper Devon Supper (27 saves), and defensemen diving in the way of Emmaus shots to make a block or two.

"We just kept throwing the puck on net and trying to get the rebounds," aidd Kraemer. "Their goalie did a great job of covering up. We realized we were getting rushes on net, we just had to keep at it."

Drew Phillipes added to his league-leading points mark with a goal, his 24th, in the second period. Phillipes raced onto a pass from David Bailey, and found himself open at the blue line. He passed it through an oncoming defender's legs, and finished smoothly after pulling the puck away from Supper.

Heffelfinger tallied the third just 48 seconds later. Emmaus once again held on because of good goalkeeping by Smoker (13 saves), and a solid defense in front of him.

Emmaus needs just one win in its final three games to clinch a spot in the Pure Division championship.