Early-season win over Morgantown gives Burrell confidence heading into Penguins Cup D2 final
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Friday, March 14, 2025 | 6:42 PM
Burrell defenseman Aaron Holm plans his next move during the first period of a PIHL Penguins Cup Division 2 semifinal against Deer Lakes on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at RMU Island Sports Center.
Burrell forward Mike Morasczyk (left) and Deer Lakes forward Ryan Grunden wait to see which way the puck will fall during a Penguins Cup Division 2 semifinal at RMU Island Sports Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Deer Lakes forward Blake Toback (left) looks to move Burrell forward Jacob Rose out of the way during a PIHL Penguins Cup Division 2 semifinal Thursday, March 13, 2025, at RMU Island Sports Center.
The first meeting between Burrell and Morgantown (W.Va.) during the PIHL varsity Division 2 season seems like a long time ago.
The Buccaneers went to Morgantown on Oct. 10 and rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to eke out a 6-5 win. Luke Mink scored the game-winner with 31 seconds left on the power play.
Second-seeded Burrell hopes it can recapture some of that magic during the Penguins Cup final next Wednesday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. Getting some insight into how the No. 1 Mohawks play was important for the Buccaneers.
“They are definitely a matchup we expected to see all season in the championship,” Buccaneers coach Drew Burkett said. “They run a lot of good systems and have good depth.”
The Bucs (17-2-1-1-1) got a taste of what they needed to win a championship last season and are seeking their first Penguins Cup Division 2 title. Burrell lost 6-5 in the final to Neshannock last year and fell to Ringgold in the 2019 title game.
Burrell forward Jacob Rose, who scored a key third-period goal in Burrell’s 5-2 win over Deer Lakes in the semifinals, said the loss made them more determined.
“I’m trying to get the people who lost last year the championship they deserve,” Rose said.
The Bucs’ offense is led by three 20-goal scorers: Julian Kemp, Mike Morascyzk and Julian Kemp tied for team-high honors with 22 goals in the regular season.
Morascyzk scored a key goal against Deer Lakes, putting in a short-handed tally with 4.5 seconds left in the first period to put the Buccaneers ahead 2-1.
When Burrell didn’t score in the second period, despite pressuring Deer Lakes heavily, the Bucs weren’t worried.
“We never gave up,” Morascyzk said. “That’s what makes this team special.”
Against Deer Lakes, Burrell held the Lancers under 20 shots thanks to a defense that has been intense all season.
Morgantown had only 13 shots on net during the team’s first meeting. It was a surprising showing from the Mohawks, who had four players score 20 or more goals in the regular season. Cooper Cox led Morgantown with 33 goals in the regular season and scored a hat trick during the Mohawks’ semifinal win over Neshannock.
“(Against Deer Lakes), I think all three games we had over 50 shots, and they had less than 20,” Burkett said. “We had less shots than we were used to. The guys moved the puck well.”
Morascyzk said the first meeting between the teams gives Burrell the confidence it can win.
“They are a good team,” Morascyzk said. “I think we can beat them.”
Tags: Burrell
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