Latrobe hockey hopes to make push for playoff seeding in final stretch

By: Dave Mackall
Monday, February 17, 2025 | 8:43 AM

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Some day, maybe Adam Ferguson will fulfill an ambition to join college hockey’s coaching ranks.

For now, he’s content with the high school level.

“I’m enjoying it, for sure,” said Ferguson, Latrobe’s second-year coach. “I’m enjoying my staff. I’m enjoying being around the players. I certainly can’t complain about how we’re playing.”

Despite a 5-2 loss to first-place Fox Chapel that ended an 11-game winning streak, the IceCats entered last week four points behind the Foxes in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League Class 2A standings with four games remaining.

Ferguson has faith in Latrobe’s chances of closing the regular-season on a high note. He is convinced he’s got the team to do it.

“Our goalie has played amazing,” Ferguson said of senior Brock Pflugh, who was 10-3 with a 2.15 goals-against average before last week. “He’s one of the big reasons that we went on that streak. He’s stolen some games with some saves. He’s won us some games we shouldn’t have won. He’s had a phenomenal year.”

At 29, Ferguson is learning the ways of the bench, the ebbs and flows of the game from a different vantage point. His first team at Latrobe last season posted a 13-7 record.

Not bad for a rookie.

His second team had taken a big jump this season.

“I learned how to lose a little bit last year. I learned a lot about how to deal with the kids and their behaviors in this age group,” Ferguson said. “You learn to deal with parents. You learn how to make your practice plans. It’s a lot of responsibility.

“It’s easy to doubt yourself, but my mentors and coaches, it’s nice to have that experience around you.”

As a player, Ferguson was a two-time PIHL all-star at Latrobe and was the second-leading scorer for its 2012-13 Pennsylvania Cup championship team. He went on to play right wing for the Saint Vincent club team.

Now he is watching others excel on the ice.

For instance, Latrobe sophomore Joey Crimboli was among the PIHL leaders in scoring with 34 points (21 goals, 13 assists) a year after leading the IceCats in points as a freshman.

Add to it that team captain Dylan Morris, following his senior season this year, will advance to play at the amateur juniors level in the National Collegiate Development Conference with the Boston Junior Rangers of the Eastern Hockey League.

“For the most part, the kids have said they’ve been having a lot of fun,” Ferguson said. “We’ve been keeping things relaxed. Our coaching style is that way, and they say they play better in that environment. Half of it is making sure they’re having fun, and if you make it fun, they’re going to show up.”

For Ferguson, it’s been a lot of fun, as well.

“Maybe a jump to college is in the future,” he said. “Maybe some day, but I’m happy where I’m at. Who knows what the future will hold? I’m just trying to win the next game.”

And the next …

“I’d like to see us win our final four games, for sure,” Ferguson said. “Especially after taking that loss (to Fox Chapel). It’s crucial we win out for our playoff seeding. That’s the goal, and then we’ll see where we stand from there.”

Tags: Latrobe