Gateway hockey team makes final push for Division 2 playoff berth

By: Michael Love
Sunday, February 9, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Gateway is closing in on the end of the PIHL Division 2 regular season, and the Gators find themselves in the heat of the chase for a spot in the PIHL postseason.

The Gators, who won four in a row and five of six heading into a key matchup Monday with Ringgold at Palmer Imaging Arena in Delmont, used the points from consecutive victories over Trinity, Sewickley Academy, Bishop Canevin and Wilmington to vault themselves into the a wild card spot for the Division 2 tournament with 27 points through 18 games (8-8-1-1).

“I think the focus for everyone is to just relax and to play their game and play the same way we’ve been practicing over and over again,” Gateway coach Justin Evans said.

“If they practice hard, good things will happen during the game. The players, especially the 10 seniors, are realizing that this season is quickly coming to a close, even with a potential trip to the playoffs, and that there are not many games left. They want to make the most of it. I’ve said to the guys that nobody who gave their best later regretted it. I don’t want them to hold anything back. I want them to go as hard as they can so they can look back on the season and know they did everything they could.”

Ringgold entered Monday’s game in the first wild card position with 28 points (8-6-2-0).

The Rams also had played two less games (16). Each team plays 20 regular-season games.

The top two teams from each of the three five-team divisions earn a spot in the eight-team playoffs with the final two spots going to the wild card winners.

Carrick was in the ninth spot with 21 points and five games left heading into its matchup last Thursday against Bishop Canevin.

“We’re in eighth and we have to make sure we keep winning because if we don’t and Carrick wins a few games, they could pass us up,” coach Evans said.

“It’s very tense in the locker room, but it’s really gratifying after a win because they know the hard work paid off.”

Neshannock and Connellsville are the leaders in Gateway’s division. Neshannock dealt Gateway a 5-4 loss on Jan. 13. Gateway rallied from a 4-0 deficit to tie it 4-4 before the Lancers got the game-winner with just six seconds left in regulation.

“Our (division) is really tight and four of the five teams could potentially make the playoffs,” coach Evans said.

“That’s how good the division is.”

Gateway, which won nine of 12 games after an 0-6 start, wraps up the regular season Feb. 25 against Connellsville.

The Gators players were feeling some positive vibes heading into a senior night matchup with Bishop Canevin on Jan. 27, one day after senior C.J. Evans, freshman Beau Ritson and junior Gavin Grant took part in a competitive and talent-filled PIHL Division 2 all-star game.

The Crusaders, locked into a Division 2 playoff spot, were looking for a spark after three straight losses.

But Gateway didn’t allow Bishop Canevin to get back on track and prevailed 7-5. It was a back-and-forth win which added to the special evening experienced by C.J. Evans, Ian Steiner, Aiden Darazio, Parker Williams, Connor Olson, Tommy Tuskan, Dakota Montedoro, Hayden Nadeau and Brendan Luptak.

“We had an amazing turnout with a lot of support, and it was an even bigger win,” coach Evans said.

“It was a great game. The senior ceremony before was pretty emotional, and that emotion carried over into the game. Our seniors were so fired up. The guys played really well. We knew we were playing a team that was higher up in the standings, and we also knew we couldn’t afford a loss if we wanted to make the playoffs.”

Gateway led 3-0 after the first period on goals from Evans, Ritson and Grant, the three all-stars.

Bishop Canevin rallied to score three of the next four goals to pull to within one before sophomore Canyon Hines found the back of the net to put the Gators up 5-3 heading to the third.

CJ Evans finished the game with four goals, and his third of the four, at even strength with 4:12 gone in the final period of regulation, extended Gateway’s lead to 6-3.

The Gators got 43 saves from Montedoro.

“Our leaders were excellent leaders,” Evans said. “We knew that Canevin was going to score. They have some really good players. Every time they would score to get back into the game, we had a counter. The best thing about that game is how we handled each situation and came together. We had an answer for everything they brought to us.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Gateway