Trio of PIHL all-stars helps Bethel Park remain in contention in Class 3A standings

By: Ray Fisher
Saturday, January 20, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Three Bethel Park hockey players — forwards Ethan Cooley and Anthony Karner and defenseman Zach Mazzacone — earned all-star status this season.

Cooley, Karner and Mazzacone, all seniors, were selected to play for the PIHL Class 3A all-star team.

All three were proud of their selections.

“It’s a great accomplishment for these three players,” coach Mike Schall said. “We are excited to see them recognized for their efforts this year. They are part of a large senior class. They came into our summer sessions with a different mindset. They have been great leaders for our team this year.”

Cooley, the team captain, led the Black Hawks in scoring in mid-January with four goals and 16 assists, good for 20 points.

“I’m extremely excited to play in the all-star game,” Cooley said. “Past years have looked like a blast and I’m excited to take part.

“My initial reaction to being selected was pretty surprising. We’ve been playing extremely well lately, and the all-star game adds on to that excitement as something else to look forward to.”

Karner, an assistant captain, was next with eight goals, five assists and 13 points.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to play in a game against the league’s best,” Karner said. “From what I’ve seen in the past, it’s a really cool event and I’m looking forward to it.

“Honestly, I was surprised that I was selected just because my point totals aren’t as high as most other all-stars.”

Mazzacone, also an assistant captain, helped spark a Bethel Park defense that had allowed 36 goals in 13 games.

“I’m very exited to play in the all-star game,” he said.

As of Jan. 12, Bethel Park was involved in a tight race in the Class 3A division.

Seneca Valley held onto first place with an 11-3 record (22 points), followed by North Allegheny (8-3-2) in second place with 18 points, with Peters Township (8-4-1), Bethel Park (8-4-1) and Upper St. Clair (7-2-2-1) tied for third with 17 points.

“The division is extremely tight this year,” said Schall, who was named as an assistant for the Class 3A all-stars. “We are looking to continue to work hard and improve one practice and one game at a time. We have a great group of young men who are coming together as a team.”

Cooley and Karner were complemented in the scoring column at that time by senior forwards Will Alborg (5g, 7a), with three power-play goals, and Doug Hartman (7g, 3a), who paced the squad in goals scored, junior defenseman Vincent Klingensmith (5g, 2a) and senior forward Ryan Tierney (4g, 3a).

The goaltending tandem of sophomore Kevin Teamann and senior Reilly Gusky accounted for the Black Hawks’ eight victories.

Teamann racked up seven wins and had a 2.73 goals-against average and .887 save percentage. Gusky was 1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .926 save percentage.

Mazzacone’s defensive teammates include junior Joe DePasquale, seniors Mason Devett-Raeder and Jude Kozak, and sophomores Caden Busch, Keilen Jones and Erik Husa.

Two leading reserves on defense are Vincent Klingensmith, a junior, a Jeremy Caldwell, a freshman.

The senior class is represented on the team by Cooley, Karner, Mazzacone, Alborg, Hartman, Tierney, Gusky, Devett-Raeder and Kozak, as well as Noah Pichora, Tyler Kellgren, Kylan Bednar and Ryland Jones.

The all-star trio was looking forward to finishing the 2023-24 season on a positive note.

“I think we are all excited for the home stretch,” Karner said. “Coach Schall has been emphasizing the phrase, ‘Finish Strong,’ and the team is really starting to buy in to how we want to play.

“The ultimate goal is to bring back the winning culture that Bethel Park hockey has been known for in the past.”

Tags: Bethel Park