Franklin Regional hockey a contender in PIHL Class AA
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Monday, December 18, 2017 | 11:00 PM
With most PIHL teams near or past the halfway point of the regular season, coaches have a good idea on the outlook of their team.
Franklin Regional coach Brian Kurtz believes his squad has been inconsistent but has the ingredients to win a third-consecutive Penguins Cup.
Through 11 games, the Panthers (7-3-0-1) top the Class AA standings with 15 points. Though Franklin Regional has played more games than those closest in the standings — Hempfield, Latrobe and Shaler — Kurtz is pleased with the Panthers' position.
“Our goals are still in line,” the fifth-year coach said. “We want to be in the playoffs, and we want to set ourselves up as one of the top seeds because we know how important that is.”
Last season, the Panthers secured the top seed in Class A and steamrolled their way to the title. During that championship run, Franklin Regional lost just once in the regular season. The Panthers have lost four games this year, but that was expected given the jump in classifications and the loss of a strong senior class to graduation.
The setbacks, including a 6-5 overtime loss to Latrobe in late November, could prove beneficial, Kurtz said.
“It's been good for the guys to get some of those adversity-type situations, because I think we're going to need it down the stretch,” he said. “There's not a big divide like in years past. We know the margin of error is very minimal this year.”
Following that deflating loss, in which the Panthers squandered a pair of leads, Franklin Regional responded with impressive wins against Mars and Quaker Valley, which has been a top team in Class AA this season.
Though the season has felt like a roller-coaster ride for Kurtz, many of his veteran players have provided a stabilizing presence in the lineup. Winger Oldrich Virag and center Nick Carretta have been reliable scoring threats as expected, with 19 and 17 points, respectively. Though the duo occasionally plays on the same line, including in the victory against the Quakers, they have also been split up to provide more lineup depth.
Goaltender Dan Soltesz, a three-year starter, has been rock solid. He has played every minute this season, boasting a goals-against average of 2.89.
Some players are still adjusting to their new roles, while others have taken their game to new heights. Mathieu Sliva, who scored six goals and 20 points last year, already has contributed eight goals and 18 points this season.
“This year, he's really elevated his game and has been a huge contributor for us,” Kurtz said of Sliva.
Additionally, Carretta, a senior and an assistant captain, noted he and some of the other mainstays in the lineup are trying to instill winning values in the newcomers.
“We all know it takes a lot of hard work to get back to those Penguins Cups and to win those and get to states,” Carretta said. “We all kind of know the competitiveness of it, and we're trying to get them (the new players) to the same competitiveness and same work ethic and everything that we need to get back to that point.
“That's one area where we have an advantage over other teams, because we've been through it all, and we've won it, so we know what it takes to do it again.”
Carretta also said the challenge of moving up in classification has been a motivating factor.
“The games (in Class A) were a little easy, especially with the skill of our team,” he said. “This year, the games are a lot more competitive, which makes it more fun. It makes us as a team better, as well.”
With no games on the schedule until Jan. 2 against North Hills, the Panthers have plenty of time to fine-tune things and recuperate.
“We're going to work on a few things, and take about a week and a half off and, hopefully, get away from the game, rejuvenate, and hopefully come back ready to go for the second half,” Kurtz said.
Just like the past two seasons, the goal for the Panthers remains the same.
“I think with this team, we definitely can get back there (to the Penguins Cup final), as long as all of us put in the time and get better every practice.
Sean Meyers is a freelance writer.
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