PIHL notebook: Top seed in Class AAA to be decided

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, February 18, 2018 | 5:36 PM

The PIHL regular season is drawing to a close, and most teams have at least one game remaining. Several matchups carry significant playoff implications.

The top seed is up for grabs in Class AAA, and the final playoff spots in each classification are not decided.

Melting the ice

Class AAA: Cathedral Prep and Butler (four-game win streaks) — With one game left on its schedule, Cathedral Prep is in contention for the top seed. The Ramblers beat Bethel Park, 7-3, last week, and defeated North Allegheny, Peters Township and Canon-McMillan during their surge. Cathedral Prep has 25 points, which is tied for second, one point behind Seneca Valley. The Ramblers conclude their schedule at home against Plum on Thursday. Butler defeated defending champion Peters Township, 4-2, last Monday. The Golden Tornado also beat Central Catholic, Bethel Park and North Allegheny during its streak. The Golden Tornado can clinch fifth place with a victory in their final game at Canon-McMillan on Tuesday.

Class AA: Latrobe (three-game win streak) — The South/East Division has been tightly contested all season, but the IceCats finally created some separation. Latrobe has won three in a row: a 4-3 win against Franklin Regional last Monday, preceded by lopsided victories against Upper St. Clair and Shaler Area. Latrobe's 26 points ranks second in the classification, behind Armstrong's 30.

Class A: Bishop McCort (19-game win streak) — Only Freeport stands in the way of a perfect regular season for the Crimson Crushers. Bishop McCort beat Fox Chapel, 5-2, last Monday. Five teams in the classification already topped 30 points, but Bishop McCort clinched the top seed a couple of weeks ago. The Crimson Crushers play the Yellowjackets in Johnstown on Tuesday.

Division 2: Moon (six-game win streak) — The Tigers already wrapped up their regular season, and they finished with six consecutive wins, including a pair of games last week — 5-0 against Elizabeth Forward on Monday and 4-3 against Trinity on Thursday. The Tigers also knocked off Central Valley, Kennedy Catholic, Ringgold and Elizabeth Forward during their winning streak. With just one loss all season and 34 points, the Tigers ran away with the top seed for the Division 2 playoffs.

Upcoming games

Monday: Thomas Jefferson vs West Allegheny at 8:30 p.m. at the Baierl Ice Complex in Warrendale — The winner determines who finishes second to Bishop McCort in Class A. The teams hold similar offensive and defensive numbers. TJ has netted 111 goals and allowed 48, and West Allegheny has produced 126 goals and surrendered 58. Both teams enter the season finale surging, as the Jaguars have won seven in a row, and the Indians are on a four-game streak.

• Tune in to the PIHL Power Play Show on Wednesday, as hosts Josh Rowntree and Kevin Zielmanski talk with players and coaches, and also highlight the latest news around the league.

Sean Meyers is a freelance writer.