PIHL Notebook – 12/21/2015

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, December 21, 2015 | 10:13 AM

Welcome to another edition of “PIHL Notebook,” your weekly companion to “The PIHL Power Play” on the MSA Sports Network. First up, “Melting the Ice” provides your weekly thermometer of streaking teams around the league. Meanwhile, this week’s “Scoreboard Watch” includes overtime action in Class AAA and Class AA while a Division 2 newcomer continues its hot streak. Last but not least, we round things out with a preview of this week’s MSA broadcast, a classic match-up of South Hills rivals in Class AAA. So, let’s light the lamp on this edition of “PIHL Notebook.”

MELTING THE ICE (Records listed indicate current unbeaten streak):

Class AAA: Peters Township (7-0-4); Canon-McMillan (5-0-2); Butler (3-0-0); Pittsburgh Central Catholic (2-0-1)

Class AA: Latrobe (6-0-0); Moon (5-0-1); Quaker Valley (4-0-0); Hampton (3-0-0)

Class A: West Allegheny (12-0-0); Montour (7-0-1); Franklin Regional (3-0-0)

Division 2: Beaver (7-0-0); Elizabeth Forward (4-0-0); Kennedy Catholic (3-0-0)

SCOREBOARD WATCH:

Class AAA

12/14/15 – Peters Township 2, Erie Cathedral Prep 1 (OT) … The Indians (7-0-4) came within five seconds of their fifth tie of the season, but Conner Gielarowski buried the winner against the Ramblers (5-5-2). After a scoreless first period, Erie Cathedral Prep got on the board at 4:49 of the second thanks to Joe Kelly. Peters kept its fans on the edge of their seats before Zach Gielarowski tied it at 14:27 of the third. The Indians held the edge in shots by a 38-17. Caden Shell made 16 saves to pick up the victory, but stick taps for Erie’s Jacob Kucharski stopping 36 pucks.

Class AA

12/17/15 – Armstrong 2, Mount Lebanon 1 (OT) … The Blue Devils (6-7-0) struck late in the first period, getting a goal from Nathan Enterline at the 13:48 mark. The lead held until early in the third when the River Hawks (10-3-0) tied it courtesy of Giovanni Romeo at 1:18. It only took 53 seconds into the extra session for Zach Kutch to net the winner. Armstrong controlled the shots 31-22. Taylor Smouse made 21 saves to earn the victory, but credit Ryan Wetherington with 29 stops for Mount Lebanon.

Class A

12/17/15 – Greensburg Salem 6, Sewickley Academy 4 … The two teams tied 1-1 in the first and third periods, but the Golden Lions (2-10-0) buried four in the second to key their victory over the Panthers (1-11-0). The middle frame included a hat trick from William Rapone, who finished with five points (3 G, 1 PP, 2 A). The winner came off the stick of Ryan Collette at 12:09 with the man advantage. He would add an empty netter to cap the scoring at 16:55 of the third. Salem also got three assists from Garrison Andolina. Multiple point scorers for Sewickley were Andrew Beck (1 PPG, 1 A), Joey Straka (1 PPG, 1 A), Willie Paul (1 PPG, 1 A), and Don Gex (2 A). The Golden Lions outshot the Panthers 36-26.

Division 2

12/17/15 – Kennedy Catholic 3, OLSH 0 … The Golden Eagles (4-8-0) broke open a scoreless game courtesy of William Piacitelli at 6:35 of the second period, and that would prove enough to defeat the Chargers (6-6-1). Kennedy added insurance when Piacitelli set up Max Hamilton on the power play at 1:08 of the third, and then Piacitelli capped the scoring at 6:19. Shots were dead even at 28 apiece with Michael Morneweck picking up the shutout.

UPCOMING MSA BROADCASTS

12/21/15 – Class AAA – Canon-McMillan Big Macs vs. Upper St. Clair Panthers @ Ice Castle … The Big Macs (6-2-3) are riding a seven-game unbeaten streak as noted above while the Panthers (2-7-2) are coming off back-to-back losses. Canon-McMillan brings the number three offense in the class with 42 goals, led by Luke Lavella (11 G, 3 PP, 1 GW, 7 A). The Big Macs also rank in the top half defensively, led by iron man goaltender Conor Hartnett (2.31 GAA, 0.924 SV%, 1 SO). Upper St. Clair is led offensively by defenseman Matt Finn (3 G, 2 PP, 8 A) while Adam Seeton (2-6-2, 3.59 GAA, 0.871 SV%, 1 SO) has decent numbers considering the win-loss column. The puck drops at 8:20 PM with Don Rebel and Kevin Zielmanski 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, Josh Rowntree and Kevin Zielmanski host another episode of “The PIHL Power Play” this Wednesday night at 8:00. Joining us this week will be Butler forward Connor Scott and Kennedy Catholic head coach Steve Covelli. Your home for the 2016 Penguins Cup Playoffs is the MSA Sports Network!