Quaker Valley Falls to WC Bayard Rustin in PA Cup ‘A’ Finals

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, March 22, 2014 | 6:54 PM

It might seem cliché, but a quick start in the playoffs is often talked about as a key in championship games. In the Pennsylvania Cup Class A title game at the Pergola Ice Arena at Penn State University, a fast start by Bayard Rustin was the difference as the Knights defeated Quaker Valley 5-2 to capture their 2nd PA Cup title and first since 2009.

Less than two minutes into the game, Bayard Rustin led the Quakers 2-0 and that was a lead that QV could never overcome. Sophomore forward Brett Christie took a pass from J.R. Barone and went forehand-backhand to beat Parker Sherry just : 42 into the contest.

Junior defenseman Michael Grande would beat Sherry on a pretty unassisted goal only: 59 later and the Quakers trailed 2-0 with just 1:41 elapsed. QV would answer back as Jimmy Perkins would net his 49th goal on the season, finding a Scott Weston rebound and beating Knights net minder Jason Grande at 3:44 to make it a 2-1 game.

But Barone, the Bayard Rustin senior forward and one of two Knights to face Quaker Valley in the PA Cup Championship in 2012, would score the next two goals to give the Knights a 4-1 after the 1st period. Barone would convert on a power play at 8:34 when his shot from the top of the left circle deflected off of a Quaker Valley defender to beat Sherry.

Then with just : 09 left in the opening period, Barone would beat Sherry for his 18th goal of the season after picking up the rebound of a Harrison Layne shot.

Cameron Peterkin, the hero of Quaker Valley’s dramatic overtime against Freeport in the PIHL semifinals, would pull the Quakers to within two, when he picked up a Connor Quinn rebound and beat Grande at 12:02 of the second period for his 17th goal of the season. Both teams would have several good scoring opportunities in the second period, as the Knights hit the post twice and Grande made a beautiful glove save on Perkins to keep the game 4-2. The teams would play 4-on-4 hockey, three times during the period as each would negate a full power play chance by taking a penalty.

Quaker Valley had a chance on the man advantage early in the 3rd period as Armen Asdourian was whistled for tripping at 2:34. But the Quakers would be unable to convert. Senior captain Ryan Lottes had a great shorthanded opportunity in the period for Quaker Valley, as he deked his way down the right wing and his strong wrist shot eluded Grande but hit the crossbar and the score remained 4-2. Senior Shawn Polidore, who played extremely well defensively for Bayard Rustin, would salt away the victory for the Knights by beating Sherry with a slap shot through a screen at the 13:58 mark of the third period to make the final score 5-2. Barone would pick up an assist on the goal to finish the game with four points for the Knights. Barone followed up the Bobby Clarke Award as the Flyers Cup 2014 Class A MVP by picking up the Management Science Associates star of the game with his two goal – two assist performance.

After winning its 3rd consecutive Penguins Cup with an 8-2 victory over Thomas Jefferson, Quaker Valley once again came away with a silver medal in the PA Cup Championship game. After losing last year to West Chester East 6-5, the Quakers finish the 2013-2014 campaign at (24-2).

The Quakers have a record of (49-3) over the last two seasons, to go with two PIHL gold medals and two silver medals as the PA Cup runner-up. Bayard Rustin, which captured its 4th Flyers Cup championship in six years, ends the season at (20-3-2). Freshman goalie Jason Grande, who made 20 saves to get the win for the Knights, finished the year unbeaten at (17-0-2).

Score by Periods:
WC Bayard Rustin :  4 – 0 – 1 = 5
Quaker Valley Quakers  :  1 – 1 – 0 = 2

Bladerunners Scoring Summary:

1st Period:
WC Bayard Rustin – Brett Christie (J.R. Barone) 0:42
WC Bayard Rustin – Michael Grande (unassisted) 1:41
Quaker Valley – James Perkins (Scott Weston) 3:44
WC Bayard Rustin – Barone (Christie, Armen Asdourian) 8:34 (PPG)
WC Bayard Rustin – Barone (Harrison Layne, Christie) 16:51

2nd Period:
Quaker Valley – Cameron Peterkin (Connor Quinn) 12:02

3rd Period:
WC Bayard Rustin – Shawn Polidore (Barone) 13:58

Shots on Goal:
WC Bayard Rustin:  9 – 7 – 4 = 20
Quaker Valley  :  7 – 10 – 5 = 22

Mt. Lebanon Ice Arena Play of the Game:
Two Bayard Rustin goals by Brett Christie & Michael Grande : 59 apart in the 1st period to give the Knights a 2-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.

Management Science Associates Three Stars of the Game:
#3 – Jimmy Perkins (Quaker Valley) – 1 Goal
#2 – Brett Christie (WC Bayard Rustin) – Goal, 2 Assists
#1 – J.R. BARONE (WC Bayard Rustin) – 2 Goals, 2 Assists

Power Plays:
WC Bayard Rustin (1-6)                       Quaker Valley (0-4)
                                                                                 
Goalies:
WC Bayard Rustin – Jason Grande  (22 Shots – 20 Saves)  Quaker Valley – Parker Sherry  (20 Shots – 15 Saves)