PIHL High School Hockey Notebook – 12/03/2012

By: Bruce Markey
Monday, December 3, 2012 | 7:14 PM

Welcome to another edition of “PIHL Notebook,” your weekly companion to “The PIHL Power Play” on the MSA Sports Network. Our first regular edition for 2012-13 will appear mostly familiar to returning readers from last year with a few minor tweaks. Our weekly hot list of streaking teams, “Melting the Ice” has tightened its criteria. You now need to go unbeaten in at least three straight to make the cut. Did your team complete the hat trick? Read on to find out. Conversely, “Scoreboard Watch” has been expanded to highlight the best game every day of the previous week. That means more teams and players get a mention, which is what this little article is all about. And as usual, we will bring you complete previews of upcoming MSA broadcasts for the week ahead.

So, without further ado, let’s light the lamp on another season of “PIHL Notebook.”

MELTING THE ICE:

Class AAA: North Allegheny (6-0-0), Seneca Valley (4-0-1), Canon-McMillan (2-0-1)

Class AA: Bishop Canevin (4-0-1), Hampton (3-0-0), Pine-Richland (3-0-0)

Class A: Quaker Valley (5-0-0), Freeport (2-0-1)

Open Class: Wheeling Park (6-0-0), Blackhawk (5-0-0), Indiana (3-0-1)
 

SCOREBOARD WATCH:

11/27/12 – Class A – Non-Section: Mars 8, Thomas Jefferson 6 … The Jaguars (4-2-0) sprinted out to a 3-1 lead in the first period, but the Planets (4-2-0) answered with a 5-1 second en route to the victory. Tommy Kimmick (2 G, 2 A) factored into all of Thomas Jefferson’s first period markers with two goals, one on the power play, and an assist. For Mars, Maxwell Master (3 G) tallied a hat trick over the final two periods, including the winner. Zach Uhlyar (2 G, 2 A) tried to get TJ back into it with a pair of late power play tallies, but his team simply ran out of time.

11/28/12 – Open Class – Non-Section: Indiana 12, Frazier 2 … The only varsity game on the docket Wednesday night proved to be a one-sided affair. The Little Indians (5-1-1) put this one in the bag with six goals scored in the opening 17 minutes, featuring a natural hat trick for Patrick Hunter (5 G, 1 PP, 1 A) that included the winner. Indiana also got three goals from Jess Bartholow, including one on the power play and one shorthanded, along with a trio of helpers from Dominick Glavach. The Commodores (2-5-0) scored both of their goals in the second on the power play courtesy of Jacob Boucher, with Cullen McGinnis assisting on both.

11/29/12 – Class A – Non-Section: Serra Catholic 5, Kittanning 4 … The Wildcats (3-2-1) scored early in the first and grabbed a 2-0 lead at the midpoint of the hockey game. However, the Eagles (2-3-0) got on the board 13 seconds later to begin a five-goal binge, including four before intermission, to secure the victory. Tyler Speis (2 G, 1 SH, 1 A) and Nicholas Vacsulka (1 G, 2 A) each registered three points along the way while Roman Kraemer (1 G, 1 A) notched the winner 6:48 into the third period. Christian Miller (1 G, 3 A) factored into all of Kittanning’s goals while Hunter Grafton (2 G, 1 PP, 1 A) picked up three points, including two goals less than three minutes after Kraemer ended the Serra Catholic scoring, but his team would get no closer. Of course, a lot of that had to do with goaltender Ian Ritchie, who made 34 saves.

11/30/12 – Class AAA – Non-Section: Norwin 4, Peters Township 3 … After a scoreless first period and a 1-1 tie through two, the Knights (4-3-0) and Indians (2-3-0) seemed destined for overtime as they literally alternated goals through the third until it was 3-3. Finally, at the 16:26 mark, Timothy Palmer decided to break the pattern and win it for Norwin with assists from Daniel Merz (2 G, 1 A) and Robert Romeo (1 G, 1 A). For Peters, Brady Cochrane scored twice while Brian Baker made 45 saves despite the loss in a game where his team was outshot 49 to 17.

12/1/12 – Class AAA – Non-Section: State College 6, Pittsburgh Central Catholic 5 (OT) … The only game on Saturday night was worth the price of admission as the Little Lions (3-1-0) erased three deficits before sending the Vikings (4-3-0) home disappointed 2:55 into overtime. Pittsburgh Central was up 2-0 at 7:07 of the first, but it was 2-2 by the 15:38 mark. The Vikings scored the only goal of the second, but State College tied it again early in the third before ultimately taking its first lead 5-4 at the 12:55 mark while shorthanded off the stick of Stefan Horgas (3 G, 1 SH, 2 A). Taylor Kirchner tied it for Pittsburgh Central on the power play a mere 23 seconds later, sending the game into the extra period, where Horgas would complete the hat trick and seal the victory. Mac Ross stopped 33 shots in the winning effort.

12/2/12 – Open Class – Non-Section: Wheeling Park 3, Harbor Creek 1 … It was a battle of 5-0-0 teams last night, and the Huskies (5-1-0) grabbed the early lead on a Hunter Emerson power play goal at 10:08 of the first. They would carry that into the third period, but the Patriots (6-0-0) clearly made their adjustments in the locker room. Nicco Catalano tied it at 4:52 before setting up Morgan Smith for the winner at 9:33. Smith would add an empty netter in the final minute off one of Ian McArdle’s two assists. Noah Clune stopped 16 shots for Wheeling Park while Tyler Manna stopped 35 of the 37 pucks he faced despite suffering the loss.

UPCOMING MSA BROADCASTS:

12/3/12 – Class AA – Non-Section: Chartiers Valley (3-1-0) @ North Hills (3-1-0) … This one promises to be an interesting contest. The Colts have won two straight and are led offensively by Anthony Franks (9 G, 5 A). On the surface, the Indians appear to be on the upswing after a lackluster 2011-12 campaign. They have won two straight, most recently 5-3 decision over defending Penguins Cup champion West Allegheny. On the other hand, all three wins have come against teams with losing records, though the 6-4 loss to Hampton was hardly embarrassing. North Hills is led offensively by Brett Berner (5 G, 3 A). Chartiers Valley goaltender Noah Stevenson (3-1-0, 3.50 GAA, 0.881 SV %) could be the X-factor here. He hasn’t exactly been slamming the door shut on the opposition, but has shown the ability to do so with a trip to the semifinals last March under his belt. The puck drops at 7:15 PM with Mike Azadian and Brandon Showers on the call.

That wraps up this edition of “PIHL Notebook,” but check back every Monday through March for the more recaps and previews. First, though, Adam Hoerner and Josh Rowntree host another episode of “The PIHL Power Play” on Wednesday night at 8:00. Joining us for the eighth season premiere will be representatives from each of the defending Penguins Cup champions. Your home for the 2013 Penguins Cup Playoffs is the MSA Sports Network!