Keystone Cup Scholastic Showcase

CASTLE SHANNON - West Allegheny started the 2001-2002 season with a 1-4-1 start after a tough loss to Bishop McCort. The Indians knew they had a decent team and figured this may be their year if they could put the pieces together. Steel Valley had suprised many after two victories over Serra Catholic and a tie with McCort and this young Ironmen squad was looking to test its newfound confidence in the playoffs. The Ironmen came out pressing in the first period outshooting WA 13-6, but Phil Sweet kept them off the board. Meanwhile, Derek Keller found a Matt Knapp rebound and chipped it over Dave Kwolek to give the Indians a 1-0 lead at 11:27. Finally, at 2:03 of the 1st, Jim Barka trickled an Allen Zivic rebound past Sweet to tie the game at 1-1. On to the second and on the power play it was Josh Fuoco, taking a great pass from Knapp through traffic and burying a wrist shot to give the Indians a 2-1 lead, which they took to the intermission. In the third period, Steel Valley continued its onslaught on Sweet, who was equal to the task. Then Keller caught the SV defense pinching too much and stripped the puck and was in alone and beat Kwolek to give the Indians a huge goal and a 3-1 lead at 8:30. Steel Valley came right back as Gary Gerson scored at 3:20 to make it 3-2. With the Ironmen continuing to press for the tying goal, Tom Quinn stole the puck and scored on another breakaway at 2:40 for a big insurance goal and Matt Knapp sealed the victory with an empty netter with 21 seconds left as West Allegheny scored a big upset victory and a trip to Johnstown to face Bishop McCort next week.