Despite loss in Penguins Cup final, Burrell hockey team still has something to play for

By: Josh Rizzo
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 | 7:52 PM

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Mike Morascyzk would have liked to lift the PIHL’s varsity Division 2 Penguins Cup championship trophy Tuesday night at UPMC Lemieux Complex. While the Buccaneers were denied making program history when Morgantown (W.Va.) picked up a 5-1 win, Burrell was comforted by having an opportunity to play in the first Division 2 Challenge Cup.

The inaugural event, which will be played at 10 a.m. Saturday at RMU Island Sports Center, is a chance to win the first state championship contested for Division 2. Burrell will meet the Pope John Paul II Patriots of Royersford in Montgomery County.

“It’s a shot to win something this year,” said Morascyzk, who is a Riverview student. “It was a tough loss on Tuesday. I know it’s the state championship for Division 2. We are looking forward to making history.”

Burrell (17-2-1-1-1) won the Blue Division in the regular season behind a powerful offense that produced 127 goals. Julian Kemp tied for a team-high 22 goals, along with Luke Mink and Morascyzk.

The Buccaneers’ success this season has come from applying constant pressure to their opponents. Burrell finished with a 42-31 edge in shots on goal against Morgantown.

“I think we ran into a hot goaltender,” Morascyzk said. “I think that’s why they have best-of-seven series (in the NHL). The puck wasn’t bouncing our way. I’d say we need to work on taking fewer penalties in the defense zone.”

Kemp scored the lone goal for Burell in the Pens Cup.

Buccaneers assistant coach Chantz Watkins said after the game he thought the Buccaneers generated a lot of scoring opportunities. Burrell just didn’t have much luck putting those shots in.

“I thought we did, but puck luck wasn’t with us today,” Watkins said.

Morascyzk said Burrell is looking forward to preparing for their opponents from out east. Since the playoffs started, the Buccs have been doing plenty of advance scouting.

“With Morgantown, we watched their game against Neshannock,” Morascyzk said. “We picked up on a lot of what they did. Hopefully, once we learn for sure who we are playing, I’m sure we’ll watch some videos on them and learn about their tendencies.”

Win or lose Saturday, Burrell will be heading to California for the club national championships next week.

Watkins said having that reward ahead of them helped ease some of the disappointment from the loss to the Mohawks.

“We are going to nationals on Tuesday,” Watkins said. “That’s what we were just talking about. This one stings. A lot of guys on the team lost last year, and they wanted it badly. They didn’t leave anything out there tonight. We’re looking forward to that game on Saturday.”

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