PIHL Notebook – 02/01/2016

By: Bruce Markey
Monday, February 1, 2016 | 1:36 PM

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 the three major classifications plus an important game in the Division 2 bubble battle. Last but not least, we round things out with a preview of upcoming MSA broadcasts, including two games featuring North Allegheny in Class AAA as they battle Peters Township and Seneca Valley this week. So, let’s light the lamp on this edition of “PIHL Notebook.”

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

Class AAA: Pittsburgh Central Catholic (6-0-2); North Allegheny (6-0-0); Erie Cathedral Prep (4-0-1)

Class AA: Bishop Canevin (5-0-1); Plum (3-0-1); Quaker Valley (3-0-0); Hampton (2-0-1)

Class A: Montour (12-0-1); Freeport (4-0-0); Serra Catholic (2-0-1)

Division 2: Beaver (12-0-0); Meadville (7-0-0); Indiana (5-0-0); Carrick (4-0-0)

SCOREBOARD WATCH:

Class AAA

1/25/16 – Pittsburgh Central Catholic 7, Shaler 6 (OT) … The Titans (3-13-1) controlled a wild first period 4-3. After a scoreless second, the Vikings (10-4-2) took the third 3-2. However, the goal that sent the game into overtime came from Shaler’s Michael Fuchs at the 14:41 mark. Central’s Jake Tepe then buried his fourth goal of the night 2:01 into the extra frame to win it. Tepe would add an assist, Sam Delucia contributed three points (2 G, 1 A), and three other players had two apiece. Alex Ficorilli led the Titans with three points (1 G, 2 A) while four of his teammates put up two each. The Vikings dominated shots 44-24.

Class AA

1/28/16 – Armstrong 4, Hampton 4 (OT) … The Talbots (11-6-1) took the first period 2-0, the River Hawks (13-4-1) edged the second and third 2-1 each, but it all added up to a non-decision in this Eastern Conference showdown. A pair of Armstrong power play goals had them up 4-3 at 6:01 of the third, but Luke Cirlingione tied if for Hampton three minutes later before the goalies took center stage. Luke Gross (1 PPG, 2 A) paced the River Hawks while Cirlingione (2 G, 1 A), Justin Weinbrenner (3 A), and Jordan Zabroski (1 G, 1 A) led the Talbots. Armstrong took the shots category 40-29, but Connor Andrews made 36 saves for Hampton.

Class A

1/28/16 – Wheeling Central Catholic 6, Wheeling Park 5 (OT) … The Patriots (4-13-0) led 2-1 after one period, but the Maroon Knights (9-8-0) led 4-3 after two. That set the stage for a special teams show in the third. Jason Gwynn struck shorthanded for Wheeling Park just 50 seconds in. Cole Edgerton gave Wheeling Central the lead back at 3:19 on the power play, but Gwynn tied it back up on the man advantage at 13:37. It would be Edgerton again at 3:58 of the overtime, though, his fourth goal of the night. He also contributed one assist while his brother Luke put up four points himself (1 G, 3 A). Keeping the family night theme alive, Jefferson Gwynn (1 G, 2 A) was the only other multi-point performer. The Knights edged out the shots column 35-32.

Division 2

1/28/16 – Trinity 5, Kennedy Catholic 4 … In a game heard right here on the MSA Sports Network, the Hillers (5-10-1) got two very important points, vaulting over the Golden Eagles (5-11-0) in the standings and moving within three points of Central Valley for the third and final playoff spot in Class C. Trinity was up 1-0 after one period and 4-1 after two, but still had to hold off a third period charge by Kennedy to escape with the victory. Credit Jesse Kagle with the winner at 8:02 of the third. Ashon Burgess led the Hillers with three points (1 G, 2 A) while Noah Schroder (1 G, 1 A) and Tyler Piatt (2 A) put up two apiece. William Piacitelli (3 G, 1 A) was brilliant as usual for the Golden Eagles, but Darrin Smith (1 G, 3 A) matched his point total in this one while Max Hamilton and Colton Attisano each contributed two assists. Trinity held the advantage in shots 32-29.

UPCOMING MSA BROADCASTS

2/2/16 – Class AAA – North Allegheny Tigers vs. Peters Township Indians @ Ice-O-Plex at South Pointe … The Tigers (10-4-1) are one of the hottest teams in the class with six straight victories, bolstered by the number three defense with 45 goals allowed. The Indians (10-2-4) might be coming off a loss, but they also top the class with 32 goals allowed. Joseph Hubert (8-3-0, 2.63 GAA, 0.906 SV%) has played most of the minutes in net for North Allegheny while Erik Chidester (7 G, 2 GW, 17 A) leads the offense. Caden Shell (1.94 GAA, 0.926 SV%, 1 SO) has been the iron man goalie for Peters while the attack has run through Matt Amelio (5 G, 1 PP, 17 A). The Indians narrowly won the previous meeting 3-2 on November 9. The puck drops at 7:00 PM with Bob Orwkis and Kyle Dawson on the call.

2/4/16 – Class AAA – Seneca Valley Raiders vs. North Allegheny Tigers @ Baierl Ice Complex … We already told you about North Allegheny, so let’s get straight to Seneca Valley. The Raiders (10-7-0) are coming off back-to-back wins, lead the class with 65 goals for, and are fourth with 49 allowed. Alexander Crilley (15 G, 3 PP, 1 SH, 5 GW, 12 A) has set the tone up front. Despite playing fewer minutes than his counterpart, Dylan Sloat (6-1-0, 2.07 GAA, 0.923 SV%) has put up the better goaltending numbers. Seneca Valley controlled the previous meeting 6-3 on November 19. The puck drops at 8:00 PM with Randy Gore of the North Allegheny Sports Network 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” this Wednesday night at 8:00. Joining us this week will be Wheeling Central Catholic forward Kyle Wensel and Seneca Valley head coach Anthony Raco. Your home for the 2016 Penguins Cup Playoffs is the MSA Sports Network!