Stellar season meets abrupt ending with playoff loss for Quaker Valley hockey

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, March 16, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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High school hockey teams operate on a lengthy schedule that runs for the better part of a half year.

Players must skate on high-octane throughout the fall and winter months.

The current PIHL season began Sept. 30 for the Quaker Valley hockey team, which won 17 consecutive games through the end of February.

But the suddenness of a season’s end hit the Quakers hard March 3 in the quarterfinal round of the PIHL Class A playoffs.

Avonworth edged QV, 6-5, despite a valiant comeback attempt by the Quakers in the third period.

“Obviously, we’re disappointed to go out the way we did,” QV’s veteran coach Kevin Quinn said. “We had a group we felt could do something special. Even with just two seniors, we still should have accomplished more in the postseason.

“The team is strong and has grown a lot throughout their time together. We intend to bounce back from this and make a push again next year.”

Ben McHenry, a junior forward, was the catalyst offensively against the Antelopes with a hat trick plus one assist.

Junior defenseman Jacob Keisel added a goal and two assists, and junior forward Jace Vasbinder tacked on another goal and assist.

The Quakers’ goal-scorers were complemented by junior defenseman Luke Koehler, who contributed two assists, and junior forwards Colin York and Max Modrovich, who were credited with one assist apiece.

QV goalkeeper Landon Buterbaugh turned back 31 of 37 shots against the Antelopes, who improved to 17-4 overall.

“It was a disappointing end,” Buterbaugh said. “Not the way we wanted it to go, but I’m proud of the progress we made throughout the year, and I’ll forever enjoy the memories we all made as a team.

“My favorite memories were always the bus trips home after a game with the whole team.”

Buterbaugh was 11-1 during the regular season with a 1.75 goals-against average and .930 save percentage.

A four-year starter and four-time all-star, Buterbaugh will pursue a stint in junior hockey after playing in the NAT1HL Top Prospects program later this month.

QV senior defenseman Liam Welge intends to continue his education to eventually become a pilot.

“(Buterbaugh and Welge) are outstanding young men off and on the ice,” Quinn said. “They both had great careers at QV and will be sorely missed.”

The Quakers had 13 juniors, five sophomores and top freshman Matthias Lezama on their roster in 2024-25. Sophomore forward Charlie Pyle was among the team’s top seven scorers.

“We return a very strong group and will return a senior goalie in Ian Lorang,” Quinn said. “We are going onward. It’s the only way to go.”

Lorang posted a 6-1 record this year with 118 saves on 125 shots, a 1.00 GAA, .944 save percentage and four shutouts. He allowed just seven goals in seven games.

One of the season’s highlights for the Quakers and their coach took place Dec. 2 when they won the 500th game in program history, a 6-2 decision against Chartiers Valley at Mt. Lebanon Ice Arena.

Quinn has been QV’s coach for 28 years, including the past 27 at the varsity level.

Modrovich, Vasbinder, McHenry, Keisel, Buterbaugh and Lorang were selected for this year’s PIHL All-Star showcase event.

The Quakers finished with a 19-2-1 record.

Quaker Valley routed West Allegheny, 10-0, in the first round of the Penguins Cup playoffs before suffering the tough loss to Avonworth in the quarterfinals.

The Quakers utilized an explosive offense with an efficient defense in outscoring the opposition by 90 goals with a season-ending 124-34 scoring difference.

Modrovich paced the Quakers offensively with 22 goals and a team-high 29 assists for 51 points. Vasbinder hit the back of the net the most times with 24 goals to go along with 17 assists.

Lezama accounted for 17 goals and 14 assists, and McHenry connected for 17 goals and 19 assists (including five goals and two assists in the playoffs).

Pyle contributed seven goals and 19 assists, and Keisel added 13 goals and nine assists.

Eight other QV players scored at least once in 2024-25 with Hunter Kronk and Charles D’Antonio netting five goals each and York tacking on four.

D’Antonio registered a hat trick in the playoff win against WA.

Liam Welge, Kieran Cain and Jack Watson finished with two goals each, and Koehler and Tristan Bemis added one goal apiece.

The Quakers top defensive pairs consisted of Keisel-Koehler and Watson-Welge.

“Jacob Keisel and Luke Koehler paired up and provided solid defense as well as producing on offense,” Quinn said. “Jack Watson and Liam Welge were so solid all year on both ends of the ice.”

QV allowed one goal or fewer in 13 games this season.

Tags: Quaker Valley