Seneca Valley stings South Fayette in 3OT thriller in Penguins Cup Class 3A final
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Monday, March 17, 2025 | 10:46 PM
Seneca Valley’s Marshall Hewitt celebrates the game-winning goal in the third overtime to beat South Fayette during the PIHL Penguins Cup Class 3A championship game Monday.
Seneca Valley’s Tyler Maxwell makes a save behind goaltender Christopher Nichols against South Fayette during the PIHL Penguins Cup Class 3A championship game Monday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
South Fayette goaltender Jackson Ankrum makes a glove save on Seneca Valley’s Braden Morin during the PIHL Penguins Cup Class 3A championship game Monday.
Seneca Valley goaltender Christopher Nichols makes a save on South Fayette’s Hudson Vennum during the PIHL Penguins Cup Class 3A championship game Monday.
Seneca Valley’s Marshall Hewitt celebrates his third-period goal against South Fayette with the student section during the PIHL Penguins Cup Class 3A championship game Monday.
South Fayette’s Eli Petter celebrates with Robert Chiappetta after Chiappetta tied the score against Seneca Valley late in the third period during the PIHL Penguins Cup Class 3A championship game Monday.
South Fayette goaltender Jackson Ankrum makes a save on Seneca Valley’s Andrew Malichky on a penalty shot during the PIHL Penguins Cup Class 3A championship game Monday.
Seneca Valley’s South Fayette’s Trevor D’Alessandro celebrates his goal against Seneca Valley during the PIHL Penguins Cup Class 3A championship game Monday.
Seneca Valley teammates celebrate with John Sroka III after his goal against South Fayette during the PIHL Penguins Cup Class 3A championship game Monday.
South Fayette’s Robert Chiappetta celebrates his game-tying goal against Seneca Valley late in the third period during the PIHL Penguins Cup Class 3A championship game Monday.
Seneca Valley with the trophy after beating South Fayette in the PIHL Penguins Cup Class 3A championship game Monday.
Seneca Valley’s Marshall Hewitt and his late-game heroics earned the Raiders a 3-2 victory over South Fayette in three overtimes Monday night and the program’s second PIHL Class 3A Penguins Cup title.
After 38 minutes and 31 seconds of overtime, Hewitt corralled the puck and skated to the center point, letting go of a wicked wrister above the shoulder of goalie Jackson Ankrum to end a playoff marathon.
“I just saw open ice, and I saw a screen on the goalie and just shot it, hoping it was going to go in,” Hewitt said.
Hewitt was ecstatic as the shot went over the shoulder and under the bar.
“It was great,” Hewitt said. “Probably one of the best feelings in my life, honestly.”
Seneca Valley captain Andrew Malichky said he was proud of the team.
“We’ve been building for this all year,” Malichky said. “I’ve watched these guys grow, and we really came together. It’s just great to see.”
Malichky was glad to see Hewitt seal the victory.
“He’s one of my best friends, and it’s just awesome to see him succeed,” Malichky said. “He works hard. He deserves it.”
Raiders defenseman Carter Hoehn talked about the challenges of playing 92 minutes of hockey.
“It’s exhausting,” Hoehn said. “Everyone, even all the way down the roster, everyone’s exhausted. You’re tired, and you’re just pushing through for everyone. You’re playing for your whole team. It’s a special experience. I’m so glad we pulled this one out.”
Ankrum made 63 saves, but Seneca Valley’s 66th shot gave the Riaders their first PIHL title since 2018.
Seneca Valley’s Chris Nichols made 48 saves while the Lions put 50 shots on goal.
“Our goalie is great,” Hewitt said. “I’ve known him for 10 years. He’s amazing. He’s always been that good. We call him Big Chris for a reason.”
Although the game took three overtimes, the outcome looked to be in the grasp of Seneca Valley in regulation as the Raiders took a lead with 9:02 left.
After 24 minutes of a 1-1 tie, Hewitt turned and threw the puck on net from outside of the right circle near the boards and the shot beat Ankrum to go up 2-1.
Backed against the wall, the Lions were down 2-1 when they pulled their goalie with two minutes to play.
South Fayette’s Trevor D’Alessandro dropped the puck at the top of the point to Robert Chiapetta. With the season on the line, Chiapetta blew it over the shoulder of Nichols with 1:11 left, sending the game to overtime.
This led to back-and-forth hockey in which both teams refused to make mistakes.
Both teams forced the opposing offense to the boards outside of the circles.
The Raiders were able to capitalize on the last available scoring opportunity.
“We knew they had some key players, so we figured if we don’t let them shoot, then they’re not going to score, and that’s what we did,” Hewitt said.
The Raiders packed the first punch in the game when John Sroka III turned the Lions over at the blue line, earning himself a breakaway. Sroka blew it by Ankrum to take a 1-0 lead.
Seneca Valley had a golden opportunity to go up tally another goal when Malichky blocked a shot and had a breakaway on a penalty kill. Malichky was pulled down by D’Alessandro and was awarded a penalty shot.
He came in on the left side of the circle, went backhand and switched to the forehand, but Ankrum got his pad out to stone him.
Early in the second period, Eli Petter head-manned the puck to D’Alsseandro, who got by the defense on a breakaway and knotted it up 1-1, blowing it by Nichols.
Nevertheless, the Raiders ended up being the last team to score.
The sold-out UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex erupted after Hewitt’s goal as the Raiders faithful took home the Pens Cup.
“The support’s been great all year,” Hewitt said. “The team, the students, it’s been awesome. They come to every game. The support is amazing.”
Hoehn said he loves his team.
“We love each other,” Hoehn said. “We’re a tight-knit group. We play for each other. We’ll die for each other. We’ll literally do anything for each other. I love them, and I can’t wait for next year. I’m so excited.”
Tags: Seneca Valley, South Fayette
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