Penn-Trafford sending 4 players to PIHL All-Star games
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Friday, January 18, 2019 | 10:36 PM
The Penn-Trafford hockey team will be well represented at the PIHL All-Star Games later this month
Seniors Ben Leslie, Gavin Patrick and Jack Hughes, along with junior defenseman Seth Poziviak, will play in the Class AA game.
“I was an assistant coach the previous two years, and the most we ever had was two,” Penn-Trafford coach Chris Cerutti said. “It is really exciting for the players and parents to get four players into the all-star game.”
The trio of seniors have combined to be one of the most productive lines in the PIHL. Leslie, Patrick and Hughes have scored 43 of Penn-Trafford’s 64 goals. The Warriors are the fifth highest-scoring team in Class AA.
“With the numbers they are producing, there was no need to split them up,” Cerutti said. “They each can do something different. Gavin is a really skilled guy. Patrick is fast and can get to the open spot on the ice, and Jack gets into the goalie’s face and gets the rebounds.”
Leslie and Patrick were both all-stars in 2018.
Each of the seniors ranks in the top 10 for points in Class AA. Leslie is fourth with 17 goals and 15 assists. Cerutti said Leslie has improved thanks to putting work in during the offseason. He also spends several days of the week playing with the Armstrong Arrows amateur team.
“It keeps him mentally focused,” Cerutti said. “What has really grown for him is his hockey IQ. He knows where to be.”
Patrick leads the team with 17 assists to go along with 13 goals. Patrick is right behind him with 13 goals and 15 assists.
“I think (Patrick’s) speed has really helped him this year,” Cerutti said. “He has quick feet. Once he gets going one way, he is hard to stop. Playing with the other two really complement (Hughes’) game. He gets into the dirty areas and screens the goalie. They all complement each other.”
Poziviak has been a leader on the defensive end of the ice for Penn-Trafford. He has also been productive offensively — he is fifth on the team in points with seven goals and five assists.
“Seth has been solid the last two years and could have been in the all-star game last year,” Cerutti said. “He works well in the zone and makes the first play for our offense. He finds the open guy. Seth is extremely hockey smart. He is also the quarterback of our power play.”
The four all-star games are set for Jan. 27 at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center on Neville Island. The Division II game will kick off the showcase at noon. Class A will follow at 2 p.m., Class AA at 4 p.m. and Class AAA at 6 p.m.
All four games can be heard on the TribLive High School Sports Network.
The team’s all-stars will look to give the team a spark during the final stretch of the regular season. Penn-Trafford is sixth in the Southeast Division with 12 points. The team has a chance to better its position in the playoff hunt. Games with division rivals such as Franklin Regional, Latrobe and Plum remain.
“I think everyone is excited about the opportunity we have,” Cerutti said. “We need to focus on playing our best hockey and be ready for the challenge.”
Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.
Tags: Penn-Trafford
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