Shaler hockey team eyes return to PIHL Penguins Cup playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, September 20, 2018 | 9:30 PM

Shaler hockey coach Steve Stayduhar wants to makes sure all the numbers come out right.

The Titans’ hockey program recorded 89 goals and compiled a 10-11 record en route to a PIHL Class AA playoff bid last season.

Finding the offense to extend Shaler’s string of playoff appearances to three years will depend on the Titans creating goals. Shaler, which opens the season Oct. 1 vs. Hampton, saw eight of its top 10 point producers graduate.

“That’s a lot of goals to make up,” Stayduhar said.

What the Titans have going for them is enthusiasm and a commitment to being as efficient as possible.

“They get up and down the ice and play defense as a team,” Stayduhar said. “We did a bunch of workouts the whole summer, and each kid on average took over a minute off their mile time. We want to limit what other kids can do, but we are undersized. We are young and undersized.”

Junior forward Sam Stayduhar, who finished with 10 goals and seven assists, is the team’s top returning scorer. Forward William Junker (two goals), defenseman Spencer Platt (two) and Blake Kucharski are the only other players returning who scored varsity goals.

That’s led to Shaler take a more defensive approach to the preseason. When it comes to on-ice play, the Titans are relying on an experienced defensive core.

“We played with Bethel Park the way we wanted to play, because we don’t have a lineup filled with goal scoring,” Stayduhar said. “We tied with them 1-1. We kept the shots and penalties to a minimum. The same thing with Seneca Valley, but we beat them 3-2.”

Goaltender Darren Rasimczyk is Shaler’s lone senior. He appeared in two games last season as a backup to Wyatt Wolf.

Stayduhar is happy with his progress thus far.

“He’s doing good,” Stayduhar said. “Everyone else is a junior or younger. He’s working hard and is getting a whole lot better than last year.”

Shaler’s goal hasn’t changed with it how the roster has.

The Titans want to see gradual improvement and make another trip to the playoffs.

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Shaler