A-K Valley high school PIHL playoff preview capsules for March 14, 2024

By: Bill Hartlep
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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PIHL playoffs

Division 2

Semifinals

Burrell (17-3) vs. Deer Lakes (12-6-1)

8:45 p.m. Thursday at Robert Morris University Island Sports Center, Moon

Winner plays: Winner of Bishop Canevin (18-1)/Neshannock (15-3-1) in Division 2 championship game at 8:45 p.m. Monday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, Cranberry

Players to watch: Tyler Danko, Burrell; Zachary Nacey, Deer Lakes

Ice chips: Burrell opened the playoffs with an 8-2 victory over Morgantown. Tyler Danko had two goals and an assist, Jared Wall scored twice and Chantz Watkins, Connor Gloer, Ryan Burkett and John Lukac also added goals. Kooper Price made 19 saves. The Bucs were the second-place team in the Gold Division with 32 points, just behind Bishop Canevin (36). They defeated Deer Lakes, 7-4, on Nov. 13 and 7-3 on Jan. 11. Aidan Petroff led the Bucs scoring with 26 goals and 18 assists. Mike Morazcyzk added 21 goals and 20 assists. Danko and Lukac had 38 points each. Price was strong in net with a 2.58 goals-against average and .873 save percentage. … Deer Lakes topped Carrick, 5-1, in the first round. Zachary Nacey had two goals, Ryan Grunden had a goal and assist and Giovanni Porco and Mark Rauenswinter added goals. Aaron Haney made 19 saves to earn the victory in goal. The Lancers finished fourth in the Gold Division with 25 points. Grunden had 20 goals and 17 assists this season, and Nacey added 10 goals and 15 assists. Haney boasts a 2.38 GAA and .903 save percentage.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Burrell, Deer Lakes