Trib HSSN PIHL Player of the Week: Jack Duggan, Sewickley Academy

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, February 10, 2019 | 11:39 PM

Entering Sewickley Academy’s game against Beaver last Monday, only one Panther had more than 10 goals this season. Thanks to a five-goal performance from senior forward Jack Duggan, that number is now two.

Duggan’s five-goal, two-assist performance in a 12-3 win not only was his best game of the season, but it earned him this week’s TribLIVE High School Sports Network PIHL Player of the Week.

“Jack had a strong game for us. He played extremely well,” Sewickley Academy coach Chris Chiusano said. “He had a lot of really good scoring opportunities and made some of them himself. It was fun to watch and a boost to our team.”

Duggan scored two of Sewickley Academy’s first three goals before adding the Panthers’ sixth and final two goals. He assisted the Panthers’ ninth and 10th goals.

With the win, Sewickley Academy kept pace with Fox Chapel for fifth place in the North Division of Single-A. The Panthers and Foxes both have two games left. They split two regular-season matchups.

“It was a good opportunity for guys to get some scoring chances against Beaver,” Chiusano said.

Part of the game for Duggan was helping set up teammates who don’t normally see a ton of ice time, Chiusano said.

“Jack looked to pass the puck and make some plays that don’t show up on the scoresheet and make plays for some guys to give them chances,” Chiusano said.

It helps Sewickley Academy’s roster to produce behind the team’s top scorer, Matthew Hajdukiewicz, who gets a lot of attention from other teams. That can open things up for Duggan and others.

“Matthew is obviously a standout on our team and is a fantastic player. He draws a lot of attention, and teams focus on him,” Chiusano said. “It’s good to have a great player like Jack to shoulder some of the load when teams do put a lot of focus on Matthew.”

Duggan has 21 points on the season on 12 goals and nine assists. He’s a player younger guys look up to and can learn from, his coach said. Not only that, but Chiusano said he’s simply a good athlete.

“He’s a great athlete and an All-WPIAL soccer talent. He translates some of those skills to the ice,” Chiusano said. “He likes to get in behind the net in the (offensive) zone and down low and put some holds on guys. He’s also extremely competitive and doesn’t like to lose. He’ll do whatever he can to help the team win.”

That competitive attitude is important for the Panthers.

“It’s a good thing that he brings to the team, and it’s a good example to the other guys on the team on how to compete every night,” Chiusano said. “We never have to worry about Jack’s level of compete.”

The Panthers already clinched a playoff spot in Class A and will look to fix some things during their final two regular-season contests, the first of which is Monday against Meadville.

The game will be streamed live on the TribLIVE High School Sports Network, with puck drop set for 7:15 p.m.

PIHL Honorable Mentions (Week of Feb. 4):

In Triple-A, Bethel Park’s JC Bele had a hat trick in a win over Cathedral Prep on Thursday. … In Peters Township’s 8-3 win against Mt. Lebanon on Monday, Ryan Luppe scored three goals, and Jeremy Anthos had a goal and three assists. Torrey Schwartz also had a hat trick for the Indians.

Last week’s PIHL Player of the Week, Upper St. Clair’s Devin Rohrich, continued his strong run with a four-goal, two assist effort in an 8-3 win against Penn-Trafford on Monday. … Shaler goaltender Darren Rasimczyk stopped 59 shots against Pine-Richland in a 5-2 loss. … Moon’s Lukas Konecsni stopped 24 of the 25 shots in the Tigers’ 7-1 win over Plum on Thursday.

In Single-A, West Allegheny’s Nick Bandi, a defenseman, scored three of WA’s first four goals in a 5-3 win over Meadville. … Westmont Hilltop’s Hunter Partsch scored four goals, including the winner, in a victory over Kiski Area. … Indiana’s Ben Nettleton had four assists in a win over Greensburg Salem on Thursday.

In D2, McDowell’s Dominick Bartell had three goals and an assist Tuesday against Central Valley. … Burrell’s Tyler Stewart had three goals and four assists Monday in an 11-2 win over Knoch. … Carrick goalie Sean Dugan stopped 37 of the 38 shots in a win over Connellsville on Thursday that kept Carrick’s hopes of a home playoff game alive.

Kyle Dawson is a freelance writer.

Tags: Bethel Park, Burrell, Carrick, Indiana, Peters Township, Sewickley Academy, Shaler, Upper St. Clair, West Allegheny