Baldwin Beats Harbor Creek for PIHL Open Class Championship

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, March 6, 2014 | 12:34 AM

The Baldwin Highlanders (22-2-1) claimed their fourth PIHL Championship in school history and first in the Open Class as they jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in a 7-4 victory over the Harbor Creek Huskies (22-2-0) at the RMU Island Sports Center Olympic Arena on Wednesday night.

Anthony Alaimo and Brian Dee each scored two goals in the game for the Highlanders, which finish the season unbeaten in their last 20 games and on a 13-game winning streak.

Baldwin got off to a hot start, as Anthony Alaimo scored just 47 seconds into the game on a deflection of a Max Milan centering pass. Baldwin led 2-0 after the first period, getting a late goal from Milan in the final minute of the period.

The Highlanders got a huge goal in the opening stages of the second, as Alaimo got his second goal of the game on a tip-in from Dee. Ryan Markiewicz put Harbor Creek on the board on a 5-on-3 advantage with a wrist shot from the center slot, cutting Baldwin’s lead to 3-1. 

But Brian Dee scored on a breakaway midway through the second period, going top-shelf for a water bottle popping goal against Huskies’ Goalie Tyler Manna. Dee added another goal late in the period as Harbor Creek tired greatly in the final few minutes, giving Baldwin a 5-1 lead after two periods. 

Baldwin pushed their lead to 7-1 in the third on goals by Paul Knerr and Jake McCue. But Harbor Creek continued to play hard, as Nick Rocco and Logan Conboy scored power play goals. Daniel Gawne added the final score with 4 seconds remaining in the game, bringing the final score to 7-4. 

Alaimo and Dee each had three point nights, including two goals apiece. Milan had a goal and an assist for Baldwin. Matt Yough got the win for Baldwin between the pipes, stopping 26-of-30 shots.

Harbor Creek was led by Rocco with a goal and three assists. Manna, who posted a 1.50 goals against average in the regular season, stopped only 18-of-25 shots in the game. The Huskies finish 22-2 on the season and suffer their first loss since November 25th.

Scoring Summary:

Baldwin Highlanders : 2 – 3 – 2 = 7
Harbor Creek Huskies : 0 – 1- 3  = 4

First Period:
B:  Anthony Alaimo (Max Milan)  :47
B:  Milan (Alaimo)  16:45

Second Period:
B:  Alaimo (Brian Dee)  1:10
HC:  Ryan Markiewicz PP (Nick Rocco)  4:19
B:  Dee (unassisted)  7:32
B:  Dee (Paul Knerr)  16:28

Third Period:
B:  Knerr (Dakota Becker, Zach Winkowski)  3:21
B:  Jake McCue (unassisted)  7:59
HC:  Rocco PP (Logan Conboy, Jaime Colins)  9:49
HC:  Conboy PP (Rocco, Markiewicz)  15:42
HC:  Daniel Gawne (Rocco)  16:56

Tags: Baldwin, Harbor Creek