PIHL High School Hockey Notebook – 01/07/2013

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, January 7, 2013 | 3:39 PM

Welcome to another edition of “PIHL Notebook,” your weekly companion to “The PIHL Power Play” on the MSA Sports Network. We have your weekly thermometer of streaking teams in “Melting the Ice.” Plus, the “Scoreboard Watch” includes a battle of Open Class powers and a thrilling tie in Class AAA. Finally, our preview of upcoming MSA broadcasts includes a key divisional contest in Class A. So, let’s light the lamp on this edition of “PIHL Notebook.”

MELTING THE ICE:

Class AAA: North Allegheny (3-0-0), Pittsburgh Central Catholic (2-0-1)

Class AA: Chartiers Valley (3-0-1), Moon (3-0-0), Latrobe (3-0-0), Pine-Richland (3-0-0)

Class A: Quaker Valley (10-0-0), Mars (6-0-1), Freeport (6-0-0)

Open Class: Blackhawk (9-0-0), Ford City (6-0-0), Morgantown (4-0-1), Harbor Creek (4-0-0), Baldwin (3-0-1), Wheeling Park (3-0-0), Altoona (3-0-0)

SCOREBOARD WATCH:

1/2/13 – Open Class – Section 3 – Ford City 7, Indiana 5 … The Indians (9-2-1) took the first and third periods by 2-1 counts, but the Sabers dominated the second 5-1 to pull off the victory. Ford City’s night included three power play goals while Indiana scored once with the man advantage along with a shorthanded marker. Patrick Hunter scored twice, Thomas Petro picked up three assists and Austin Moody made 40 saves in the losing effort. Josh Oliver and Joe Cippel each contributed a goal and two assists to the victory, Jesse Valasek netted the winner and Adam Cogley turned aside 26 shots.

1/3/13 – Class A – Non-Section – South Fayette 5, Greensburg Central Catholic 4 … The Lions (2-8-1) led 4-1 through two periods, but had to survive a three-goal rally from the Centurions (0-11-0) in the third to hang on for the win. Anthony Vallelunga recorded a hat trick, including the winner, and set up another goal for South Fayette while Nicholas Blocher made 27 saves. For Greensbur Central, Nicholas Benjamin scored twice and picked up one assist while William Potter managed 39 stops.

1/4/13 – Class AAA – Section 4 – Pittsburgh Central Catholic 4, Shaler 4 (OT) …  The Vikings (7-5-1) held a 4-2 advantage when the Zamboni hit the ice, but the Titans (5-4-2) staged a late comeback to secure an important point in the section race. Anthony Parrucci scored all of Pittsburgh Central’s goals, two of them on the power play, Chris McCambridge picked up two assists and Brian Burger made 37 saves. Meanwhile, Shaler scored twice with the man advantage in period three to force the tie, with Joseph Darrow getting the final goal. Matthew Bour and Luke Grossman each notched a pair of helpers while Theodore Vincent registered 30 stops.

UPCOMING MSA BROADCASTS:

1/10/13 – Class A – Section 1 – Serra Catholic (6-4-0) @ Thomas Jefferson (7-5-0) … First place in the section will be on the line here as the Jaguars try to maintain that spot, though the Eagles have been hotter of late, going 4-1-0 in their last five compared to 2-3-0 for Thomas Jefferson. The home team continues to light it up offensively with Zach Uhlyar (19 G, 18 A) leading the way in most categories, but Tommy Kimmick has matched his goal total. For Serra Catholic, Tyler Speis has paced the team with 16 goals and 27 points while Roman Kraemer (12 G, 12 A) and Nicholas Vacsulka (11 G, 11 A) have provided plenty of support. Nick Ripepi (7-5-0, 4.57 GAA, 0.858 SV %, 1 SO) has picked up every decision in net for Thomas Jefferson while Ian Ritchie (6-4-0, 4.57 GAA, 0.837 SV %) has done the same for Serra Catholic.

1/10/13 – Open Class – Non-Section – Morgantown (8-1-1) @ Blackhawk (9-1-0) … The Mohawks boast the top defense in the class with a mere 11 goals allowed. Keying that effort has been goaltender Keegan Fall (6-1-0, 0.80 GAA, 0.956 SV %, 4 SO), whose performance makes it hard to bet against Morgantown come playoff time. Offensively, Connor Leone has been the sniper with 10 goals while Kienan Battin is pacing the team in assists (10) and points (15). For the Cougars, they still have not lost since their opener and boast the second-best offense in the Nailers Cup bracket with 79 goals. Daren Braudis continues to lead the team with 25 goals and 38 points while leading the class with nine power play tallies. Grant Rombold (7-1-0, 2.73 GAA, 0.841 SV %) has been solid between the pipes if not as spectacular statistically as Fall.

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 special guest Bob Orkwis host another episode of “The PIHL Power Play” on Wednesday night at 8:00. Joining us this week will be Ford City forward Jesse Valasek, Seneca Valley head coach Anthony Raco and Bishop Canevin head coach Kevin Zielmanski. Your home for the 2013 Penguins Cup Playoffs is the MSA Sports Network!