PIHL High School Hockey Notebook – 12/17/2012

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, December 17, 2012 | 6:05 PM

Welcome to another edition of “PIHL Notebook,” your weekly companion to “The PIHL Power Play” on the MSA Sports Network. As usual, we have your weekly thermometer of streaking teams in “Melting the Ice.” Plus, the “Scoreboard Watch” includes the latest chapter in the classic Bethel Park/Mount Lebanon rivalry along with a trio of overtime contests. So, let’s light the lamp on this edition of “PIHL Notebook.”

MELTING THE ICE:

Class AAA: Canon-McMillan (5-0-2), Bethel Park (4-0-0)

Class AA: Bishop Canevin (6-0-1), North Hills (4-0-0), Plum (3-0-0)

Class A: Quaker Valley (8-0-0), Mars (4-0-1), Serra Catholic (3-0-0), Freeport (3-0-0)

Open Class: Blackhawk (8-0-0), Indiana (6-0-1), Ford City (3-0-0), Greensburg Salem (4-0-0)

SCOREBOARD WATCH:

12/10/12 – Class AAA – Non-Section – Bethel Park 6, Mount Lebanon 1 … The Blue Devils (2-6-0) struck early with a goal from George Farrell at 4:13 of the first period. The Black Hawks (4-2-0) answered back on the power play at the 10:00 mark, and it was 1-1 through 17 minutes of action. Bethel Park would then get the last goal it would need just 1:28 into the second courtesy of Ryan Kusmira (2 G, 2 A) but the road team would add three more before intermission just to be safe. Kusmira would later close out the scoring at 13:46 of the third. Christian Siak also starred for the Hawks with a power play goal and three assists. Give credit to Mount Lebanon’s Clay Wyda, who made 44 saves despite suffering the loss, but Austin McGinty’s 13 stops would prove enough at the other end.

12/11/12 – Class A – Non-Section – Westmont Hilltop 2, Mars 2 (OT) … The Planets (6-2-1) have had the Hilltoppers’ (5-2-1) number in recent years, but Westmont took steps toward changing that here. Mars got the early lead at 7:58 of the first thanks to Trevor Tisdale (1 G, 1 A), but Timothy Smith and Josh Cavrak (1 G, 1 A) made it 2-1 in favor of the home team less than four minutes later. After a scoreless second and more of the same well into the third, Westmont appeared headed for victory, but Nicholas Berteotti spoiled that party at 11:24, and both teams settled for one point each. Christian Knapp made 20 saves for the Planets, but Sebastian Ragno outdid him with 22 stops.

12/12/12 – Open Class – Section 3 – Indiana 14, Connellsville 0 … The only varsity game on the docket this night saw the Indians (8-1-1) put up six goals in the first and second periods, not to mention outshoot the Falcons (0-7-0) by a 59-5 count. Key performers included Patrick Hunter (4 G, 1 SH, 4 A), who netted the winner, Dominick Glavach (3 G, 1 A), who recorded a natural hat trick, and Thomas Petro (2 G, 1 SH, 2 A). The busiest man on the ice for Connellsville was obviously goaltender Thomas Clark with 45 saves.

12/13/12 – Class AA – Section 1 – North Hills 8, West Allegheny 7 (OT) … North Hills (5-1-0) overcame a trio of three-goal deficits before finally defeating defending Penguins Cup champion West Allegheny (1-5-1) for the second time this season. West A scored the only three goals of the opening period. North Hills took the second period by a 3-2 count, but still trailed at the break. West A struck again early in the third, but NH ripped off the next four goals to finally take a 7-6 lead at the 15:43 mark. The home team would not go quietly, though, tying it off the stick of Mason Ervin (1 PPG, 1 A) with just one second left. Finally, Tiernan McGrath would net the winner 2:30 into the extra frame. For the winning team, credit goes to Brett Berner (3 G, 1 PP, 2 SH) and Tyler Heisel (2 G, 1 PP, 2 A) among others. Despite the loss, Jess Ligas (3 G, 2 PP, 1 SH, 1 A) and Sean Weber (1 G, 4 A) were among those putting up big numbers.

12/14/12 – Open Class – Section 1 – Morgantown 2, Wheeling Central Catholic 2 (OT) … The Mohawks (6-1-1) have been on fire, but the Maroon Knights (2-6-1) staged a late comeback to earn a surprising point. Morgantown netted late first and second period goals from Cullen Gookin and Caleb Richards respectively. Ben Duplaga finally got Wheeling Central on the board with a power play marker at 4:08 of the third before Michael Tighe tied it at 15:17. Morgantown got 19 saves from Jacob Hough, but the hero of this game was John McFardland, who more than tripled that workload with 61 stops.

12/16/12 – Open Class – Non-Section – Harbor Creek 7, Wheeling Central Catholic 0 … The only varsity contest today did not end nearly as well for Wheeling Central as the Huskies (7-1-0) scored early and often. Tyler Carr got the only goal Harbor Creek would need just 3:57 into the contest, but his team would add three more in the first period and another three in the second to close out the scoring. Hunter Emerson picked up a hat trick along the way, including a shorthanded tally, while Nick Rocco scored twice, one in each special team situation. Tyler Manna’s 10 saves got him the shutout, but again Mr. McFarland deserves a round of applause with 59 stops.

UPCOMING MSA BROADCASTS:

12/17/12 – Class AA – Non-Section – Bishop Canevin (6-0-1) @ Hampton (5-1-0) … This one poses an interesting matchup between two section leaders. The Crusaders remain undefeated as noted above, with Patrick Large leading the way in goals (9) and points (14), not to mention power play (4) and shorthanded markers (2). Bishop Canevin also ranks second in the class with 13 goals allowed, thanks in large part to goaltender Nikita Meskin (4-0-0, 2.00 GAA, 0.924 SV %, 1 SO). Meanwhile, the Talbots rank second in the class with 43 goals scored. Zach Kosick leads the team in goals (13), assists (10), points (23), power play goals (3) and penalty minutes (12). As for Hampton’s defense, it is currently tied for fourth with 17 goals allowed. Backstop Cam Raidna (5-1-0, 2.77 GAA, 0.867 SV %, 2 SO) has earned every decision thus far. The puck drops at 7:10 PM with Steve Nagler and Lee Mohn on the call.

12/18/12 – Class AAA – Section 2 – Seneca Valley (6-1-1) @ North Allegheny (7-2-0) … First place in the section heading into the holiday break is on the line as the Raiders and Tigers clash for the first time this season. Seneca Valley just suffered its first loss at the hands of Bethel Park, but maybe coming back to earth before this one is just what the doctor ordered. Keep your eye on sniper Luke Reed (8 G, 2 PP) and setup man Peter Kippin (9 A, 15 PTS). Between the pipes, Tanner Pfeffer (3-1-1, 2.33 GAA, 0.900 SV %) and Ian Fraer (3-0-0, 3.14 GAA, 0.910 SV %) have split the duties thus far. As for North Allegheny, 15 goals allowed leads the class, and Bradford Thornburgh (5-2-0, 1.87 GAA, 0.914 SV %, 2 SO) has seen most of the minutes. Among the skaters, Joseph Griffin (11 G, 12 PTS, 10 PM, 1 PPG) leads the way in several categories. The puck drops at 6:30 PM with Bob Orkwis and Alex Richert on the call.

12/20/12 – Class A – Non-Section – Thomas Jefferson (6-3-0) @ Freeport (5-1-1) … The Jaguars just saw Quaker Valley snap their three-game winning streak while the Yellowjackets have made their way onto the hot list. For TJ, it continues to be about the offense, with 60 goals ranking second only to the Quakers at present. Tommy Kimmick (16 G, 2 SH) and Zach Uhlyar (16 A, 31 PTS, 4 PPG) lead the way statistically. With Freeport, defense has been the cornerstone, and it’s again QV as the only team outdoing them with 15 goals allowed. Dominic Digiacobbe (3-1-0, 2.75 GAA, 0.908 SV %) has gotten most of the minutes, though it may not be time to fully anoint him as the chosen successor to Cody Lee. In any event, a shootout clearly favors the Jags while a close game should play to the Jackets’ strengths. The puck drops at 8:15 PM with Josh Rowntree and Brandon Showers 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” on Wednesday night at 8:00. Joining us this week will be Blackhawk forward Daren Braudis, Butler head coach Mike Guentner and Deer Lakes head coach Todd Luniewski. Your home for the 2013 Penguins Cup Playoffs is the MSA Sports Network!