Neshannock edges Bishop Canevin to win PIHL Division 2 title

By: Paul Schofield
Tuesday, March 22, 2022 | 11:30 PM

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Gio Valentine went end-to-end and scored a power play goal with 9 minutes, 23 seconds left and Neshannock defeated Bishop Canevin, 2-1, in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League Division 2 championship Tuesday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry

It was the second consecutive title for Neshannock (15-4-2), while No. 1 seed Bishop Canevin (17-2-2) was denied its ninth title, the first eight coming in Class 2A.

Neshannock goalie Riley Mastowski stopped 34 shots on goals.

Neshannock took a 1-0 lead early in the second period when Micah DeJulia, falling down, put the puck past Bishop Canevin goalie Adam Serakowski, who made the initial save on a shot from the corner.

Bishop Canevin tied the score 1-1 with 2:58 left in the period when Ian Lecker scored off a feed from Cole Evans.

The Crusaders had a chance to break the tie early in the third period on a power play, but a shot went off the post.

A little later, Serakowski made a diving save on a breakaway attempt by Tommy Malvar.

Serakowski also made a huge save on Josh Michaels, who broke free down the middle with 11:00 left.

Bishop Canevin defeated Neshannock twice earlier in the season, 3-1 on Oct. 18 and 2-0 on Nov. 8.

But Neshannock won the big prize Tuesday night.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Neshannock