PIHL Notebook – Class B & C Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, October 26, 2015 | 12:01 PM

Welcome to another installment of “PIHL Notebook” as we wrap up our season preview four-pack with a look inside Division II, Class B and Class C.

Things are a bit more streamlined here than last season. There are no “B Teams” like Peters Township has fielded the last few years. Power house Harbor Creek folded, and longtime member Morgantown is gone as well. There are no tiers or conferences. Just two classifications with eight teams slated to make the postseason. Far as we know, all five Class B teams will make it, so for them the regular campaign is purely about seeding. The eight teams occupying Class C will battle it out for the other three spots.

Carrick, which put up historic PIHL numbers a year ago, but fell short of the Division II championship, moves up to Class B, where gold medalist Indiana is among the returning programs. John Marshall is the lone West Virginia team in this group, Keystone Oaks moves down from Class A, and Kennedy Catholic enters the fray out of nowhere, having not fielded a JV or Middle School squad in 2014-15. Can the Indians defend their title? Can the Cougars reach the top of the mountain this time? The months ahead will tell the story of who wants it most in Division II.

(Teams listed in order of 2014-15 point percentages)

CLASS B

Carrick Cougars

2014-15 Regular Season: 20-0-0, 40 PTS, 212 GF, 18 GA

2014-15 Playoffs: Lost in Final

2014-15 Three Stars: Anthony Manuel (34 G, 7 PP, 1 SH, 4 GW, 31 A); Vincent Maccarone (34 G, 3 PP, 2 SH, 4 GW, 30 A); Mark Granatire (25 G, 5 PP, 2 SH, 2 GW, 39 A)

Indiana Little Indians

2014-15 Regular Season: 13-5-2, 28 PTS, 97 GF, 60 GA

2014-15 Playoffs: Won Division II Championship

2014-15 Three Stars: Luke Lewandoski (24 G, 4 PP, 1 SH, 4 GW, 19 A); Thomas Petro (10 G, 1 PP, 2 SH, 2 GW, 21 A); Zane McElheny (13-5-2, 2.91 GAA, 0.887 SV%, 1 SO)

Beaver Bobcats

2014-15 Regular Season: 12-8-0, 24 PTS, 80 GF, 58 GA

2014-15 Playoffs: Lost in Semifinals

2014-15 Three Stars: Ryan Hartman (12 G, 3 PP, 20 A); Antoni Chirgott (18 G, 4 PP, 4 GW, 13 A); Robbie Halvin (8-5-0, 2.45 GAA, 0.930 SV%, 1 SO)

Meadville Bulldogs

2014-15 Regular Season: 11-8-1, 23 PTS, 86 GF, 63 GA

2014-15 Playoffs: Lost in Semifinals

2014-15 Three Stars: Bryan Ray (17 G, 5 PP, 3 SH, 3 GW, 12 A); Trevor Johnson (12 G, 2 PP, 14 A); Cody Passilla (11 G, 1 PP, 1 SH, 1 GW, 9 A)

Blackhawk Cougars

2014-15 Regular Season: 11-9-0, 22 PTS, 71 GF, 54 GA

2014-15 Playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals

2014-15 Three Stars: Grant Rombold (23 G, 3 PP, 2 SH, 3 GW, 15 A); Devon Gabauer (6 G, 2 PP, 2 GW, 11 A); Corey Steinle (11-9-0, 2.70 GAA, 0.922 SV%, 2 SO)

CLASS C

OLSH Chargers

2014-15 Regular Season: 10-10-0, 20 PTS, 67 GF, 99 GA

2014-15 Playoffs: Lost in First Round

2014-15 Three Stars: Tyler Cerankowski (9 G, 2 PP, 3 GW, 10 A); Ethan Weisser (3 G, 1 PP, 1 GW, 14 A); Paul Heflin (9 G, 1 PP, 1 SH 1 GW, 7 A)

Elizabeth Forward Warriors

2014-15 Regular Season: 9-10-1, 19 PTS, 67 GF, 77 GA