Chartiers Valley hockey rallies to earn Penguins Cup playoffs berth

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, February 23, 2018 | 1:03 AM

The Chartiers Valley hockey team could have given up.

The team started 1-6 and was at the bottom of the PIHL Class A standings. But instead of throwing in the towel, the Colts dedicated themselves to being better.

Since Nov. 27, Chartiers Valley has gone 9-3-1 and qualified for the Penguins Cup playoffs.

“I have seen teams in those situations tank,” Charters Valley coach Paul Bonetti said. “But they have shown no quit. They made a commitment to get better. Losing can be contagious, but so can winning.”

The biggest change for the Colts was the effort on defense. Early in the season, Charters Valley was regularly giving up breakaways and off-man breaks. But a team effort helped find improved results on defense. Chartiers Valley allowed 6.2 goals per game over the first six games of the season.

In the final 14 games, the Colts allowed only two goals per game.

“At times we were not contesting along the boards in our own end as hard as we should,” Bonetti said. “But the kids bought in 100 percent with what we were trying to do.”

Adding to the effort on defense was a change in front of the net. The team has three goaltenders on the roster, and the staff made changes to see who would rise to the top.

Josh Griffith ended up in the starting role and became a catalyst for Charters Valley's winning ways. He finished the regular season with a 7-2 record, a save percentage of 90 and a goals-against average of 2.26 — the fifth lowest average in Class A.

Not bad for a freshman.

“I definitely was not expecting that,” Bonetti said. “You don't see many freshman starting goalies. I have to give him a lot of credit.”

Michael Sedlak finished 11th in points for Class A during the regular season. The senior finished with 22 goals and 17 assists — both team highs.

“He is kind of a sniper,” Bonetti said. “He can take shots from anywhere on the ice. He is a kid who never quits. Even if we are losing by five goals, he is never going to mail in a game.”

Cameron Stevenson was second on the team in points with 11 goals and 12 assists. Bonetti praised Stevenson's mind for the game.

“I believe he could be a coach in the future,” Bonetti said. “He is good at controlling the puck. He is also deceptively fast.”

Matthew Storar had 11 goals with seven assists during the regular season, while Luke Vaughn recorded 13 goals and four assists. Trevor Stevenson and Caleb Stevenson each finished with 15 points.

The Colts will look to continue their success into the Penguins Cup playoffs. While the team is 11th out of the 12 playoffs teams, Chartiers Valley holds wins over several teams ahead of them in the standings, including South Fayette, Fox Chapel, Westmont Hilltop and South Park.

“Bishop McCort is undefeated and a step ahead of the rest of the group,” Bonetti said. “Outside of a couple of teams, the rest of the teams are similar and can knock off anyone else.

“We will be ready to play anybody they put us up against.”

Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.