MARYLAND HEIGHTS – It was just a matter of time for Carter Warren.

The Summit forward scored 20 goals in 20 regular season games for the Falcons but hadn’t found the back of the net in the Falcons’ first three playoff games.

Warren changed that with a pair of goals to lead Summit to a 2-0 win over Clayton in game 2 of its Mid-States Club Hockey Association Wickenheiser Cup semifinal series at the Centene Community Ice Center on Saturday.

Summit (19-4-1 overall, 3-0-1 in the postseason) advanced the play either Parkway West or Oakville in the championship game on Thursday. The Falcons are seeking their third Wickenheiser Cup and first since 2014.

“Carter is obviously the most skilled on the team, but he's also the spiritual leader,” Summit assistant coach Don Hager said. “He knows how to get this team riled up, ready to go, and he holds himself to a high standard, and he demands his teammates meet that same standard. He does that day in, day out.”

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Blake Warren and Trenton Stark assisted on each of Carter Warren’s goals, while Brody Johnston made 26 saves.

Branden Turpin made 29 saves for Clayton (13-6-5, 1-0-3), the defending Wickenheiser Cup champion.

“We felt like we were one shot away the whole game,” Clayton coach Cory Cannon said. “We had our chances, especially in the second and third, but they're a tough team. We knew they're strong defensively. They don't give up a ton of goals. So, we knew it was going to be a tight game, and it was going to take one really good chance. And you know, their goalie stood up and made saves when he needed to.”

Carter Warren thought he had given Summit an early lead, but the would-be goal was waved off as the referee blew the play dead before the puck crossed the goal line.

But Carter Warren finally cashed in with just 39.6 seconds left in the first period, tipping in a feed from Blake Warren to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.

“I always know where my brother is at, so I didn't even have to look at him,” Blake Warren said.

The second period started and ended just like the first period did.

Turpin stonewalled Carter Warren on a breakaway just 18 seconds into the frame and continued to frustrate Summit’s attackers by turning away the next 15 shots on goal.

“He robbed me a couple times,” Carter Warren said. “I banged one home and the ref called it off, but … we battled through.”

Carter Warren once again found the back of the net late in the frame, chipping in a loose puck amid a scrum to give Summit a 2-0 lead with 1:52 left.

Even though Carter Warren hadn’t scored in Summit’s first three playoff games, the team captain was still a major offensive factor racking up seven assists.

“I think it's just the guys around me,” Carter Warren said. “They're great guys. They know where to be. They're in the right place at the right time, and I can move the puck to them and trust them.”

Johnston made 15 saves in the third period, including a dazzling glove save on a Charlie Thompson breakaway.

“That’s playoff Brody,” Carter Warren said. “I’ve never seen him look better.”

Carter Warren’s goals helped Summit shake off a disappointing end to game 1 against Clayton on Friday night as Ian Barnes scored for the Greyhounds with just 19 seconds left to force a 4-4 tie, making game 2 a winner-take-all in the best of three series.

Cannon was proud of what this group of seniors built for Clayton.

“These seniors are the last of the group that was here when we had a two-win regular season that have really helped build this program into what it is,” Cannon said. “These guys have left the legacy and we think we can continue on what they left.”

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