PIHL High School Hockey Notebook – 12/10/2012
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Monday, December 10, 2012 | 7:11 PM
Welcome to another edition of “PIHL Notebook,” your weekly companion to “The PIHL Power Play” on the MSA Sports Network. As usual, we have your weekly thermometer of streaking teams in “Melting the Ice.” Plus, the “Scoreboard Watch” is packed with action this week, including the end of North Allegheny’s perfect start and a pair of overtime contests. Last but not least, we preview Thursday night’s doubleheader of MSA broadcasts. So, let’s light the lamp on this edition of “PIHL Notebook.”
MELTING THE ICE:
Class AAA: Seneca Valley (6-0-1), Canon-McMillan (3-0-2), Norwin (3-0-0)
Class AA: Bishop Canevin (6-0-1), Pine-Richland (5-0-0), Hampton (4-0-0), North Hills (3-0-0)
Class A: Quaker Valley (6-0-0), Mars (3-0-0), Thomas Jefferson (3-0-0)
Open Class: Wheeling Park (6-0-0), Blackhawk (6-0-0), Indians (5-0-1), Baldwin (3-0-0)
SCOREBOARD WATCH:
12/3/12 – Class AAA – Non-Section – Butler 7, Hempfield 4 … The Golden Tornado (3-3-1) got all the offense they would need with four goals in the opening 17 minutes and made it 7-1 by intermission, but the Spartans (0-6-1) at least kept things interesting with three goals in the third. Matthew Tomasovic scored twice in the first before completing the hat trick in the third while Tanner Gilliland and Tanner Chuba each scored twice for Butler. Joseph DiMartino and Dalton Scott each picked up two assists in the winning effort while Channing Gorscak picked up three points (2 G, 1 A) in the loss. Butler backstop Logan Rothbauer was plenty busy with 36 saves.
12/4/12 – Class AAA – Non-Section – Canon-McMillan 5, North Allegheny 2 … The Tigers (6-1-0) won their first six contests, but the Big Macs (5-1-2) scored the final three goals in this one to leave only one undefeated team in Class AAA (Seneca Valley). North Allegheny drew first blood just 1:42 in, but Canon-McMillan tied it at 9:08, a score which held up until CM took the lead at 14:18 of the second period. NA would tie it back up at 6:29 of the third, but Austin Tonkovich (2 G, 1 A) got the winner a mere 1:45 afterward. Carmen Dalesandro (2 G, 1 PP) also starred for the Big Macs while Martin Hubert (1 G, 1 A) managed two points for the Tigers. As for the goaltending, Ryan Christian turned aside 34 shots to earn the victory.
12/5/12 – Open Class – Section 3 – Indiana 5, Hollidaysburg 3 … This one turned out to be a roller coaster ride with plenty of offense. The Indians (7-1-1) led 2-0 after one period, but the Golden Tigers (5-2-0) fought right back and led 3-2 at the break. Do the math, though, and you will see Indiana answered with a 3-0 third period to ice the game. Give the game-winner to Austin Jasper at 14:09 of the final stanza while Camden Lydick (2 G, 2 A) paced the offense. For Hollidaysburg, William Power (2 G, 1 SH, 1 A) factored into all three tallies. Between the pipes, Austin Moody stopped 29 shots to pick up the win.
12/6/12 – Open Class – Non-Section – Baldwin 4, Altoona 3 (OT) … Chalk up a nice come from behind victory for the Highlanders (4-1-0), but no buzzer-beaters here. After a 1-1 first, the Mountain Lions (2-3-0) struck early and late in period two to grab a 3-1 advantage. Baldwin waited for its chance then grabbed it with two quick strikes 44 seconds apart midway through the third to force overtime. Brian Dee would not keep anybody waiting long for the deciding goal, though, capping the comeback at 1:42 of the extra frame. Anthony Alaimo (1 G, 1 A) was the only multi-point performer on the winning side. Adam Keller (1 G, 1 A) matched his output for Altoona while Adam Badorrek scored twice. Both goaltenders performed admirably with Catcher Cumming making 35 saves despite the loss while Ryan Beerman’s 19 stops proved to be enough.
12/7/12 – Class A – Non-Section – Thomas Jefferson 5, Bishop McCort 4 (OT) … The Jaguars (6-2-0) seemed to have this one in the bag early, leading 4-1 through one period. The Crimson Crushers (0-7-0) gradually fought back, though, with late goals in the second and third to force overtime. To be precise, Daniel Formica tied it at 13:29 of the final frame, but Tommy Kimmick completed the hat trick for Thomas Jefferson at 4:44 of overtime to end Bishop McCort’s hopes of earning its first win this season. Kevin Ringling set up three goals for TJ while Connor Bunn (2 PPG, 1 A) paced the BM attack. Both goalies were plenty busy, but winner Nick Ripepi outdid counterpart R.J. Slifko 38 saves to 35.
UPCOMING MSA BROADCASTS:
12/13/12 – Class AAA – Non-Section – Norwin (6-3-0) @ Upper St. Clair (2-1-1) … As you saw above, the Knights have been on fire with three straight victories, the most recent one coming by a 7-5 count at Butler on Thursday night. But if the team has been hot, Dan Merz has been on fire. As in keep the extinguishers handy lest he burn down rinks across Western Pennsylvania. Merz has a staggering 20 goals, including seven on special teams (3 PP, 4 SH), and 28 points, leading the class in both categories. As for the Panthers, they are coming off a 4-4 tie with Section 1 rival Canon-McMillan on Thursday. Austin Cassidy leads the team with eight goals and 10 points. Upper St. Clair definitely boasts the goaltender with the better stat line in Michael Ambrose, who has started all four games and posted a 1.95 GAA, 0.922 save percentage and two shutouts. The puck drops at 6:40 PM with Don Rebel and Sam Hall on the call.
12/13/12 – Open Class – Section 2 – Central Valley (0-6-0) @ Blackhawk (6-1-0) … This one features teams at opposite ends of the standings, but don’t count the Warriors out. Five of their six losses have come by three goals or less, and only Harbor Creek shut them out by a 7-0 count way back on November 1. Anthony Molinaro leads Central Valley in goals (3), assists (3), points (6) and penalty minutes (17). As for the Cougars, they have been nothing short of dominant since losing their opener to Morgantown, outscoring the opposition 50-10 during their current winning streak. Daren Braudis leads Blackhawk in goals (19), assists (11), points (30), power play goals (8) and penalty minutes (24). Between the pipes, it has been Grant Rombold getting most of the minutes, but despite a 4-0-0 record, his 2.40 GAA and 0.844 save percentage have room for improvement. The puck drops at 6:45 PM with Mike Azadian and Mark Schaas on the call.
That wraps up this edition of “PIHL Notebook,” but check back every Monday through March for more news from around the league. In the meantime, Adam Hoerner and Josh Rowntree host another episode of “The PIHL Power Play” on Wednesday night at 8:00. Joining us this week will Norwin sniper Dan Merz, North Hills head coach Brandon Dudt-Mulzet and Frazier head coach Matt Olbrys. Your home for the 2013 Penguins Cup Playoffs is the MSA Sports Network!
