Archbishop Carroll Patriots - 1981 AAA 2004 AA

Indiana 3 Kittanning 2 [OT] INDIANA – On the final night of the regular season, it is usually a tradition for Kittanning (8-13-1) to be preparing itself for a playoff run in Class AA and when the Wildcats made the homage down route 422 tonight, they were doing so to play for one reason or another, but most importantly for the crest on the front of the jersey. Kittanning has been to the playoffs for 9 out of the past ten years including Penguins Cup finals in 2003 and a year ago. For Head Coach Jon Yackmack, this was to be a season to build on the performance of a year ago, which was a tremendous overachievement, when each and every player who pulled the jersey over their head and shoulders gave their undivided attention to helping the Red and White reach the promised land, which fell one step short in the Penguins Cup to Pine Richland at Mellon Arena. Injuries to key players, along with a lack of commitment from players expected to lead the way [which became significant distractions] this season have landed the Wildcats out of the playoffs and to their first losing season since 1996. So the season that was to be isn’t and the Boys from the Belmont must build toward the future. Indiana (9-11-1) is the team and the Indiana Ice Center is the home ice that almost wasn’t a year ago and the future was much in doubt for a program with 13 consecutive winning seasons with 7 straight Penguins Cup playoff appearances. S& T Bank stepped up this season and gave the rink, formally known as the HOKS [House of King Samuel after long-time IUP and Indiana Hockey staple], financial stability and a future for HIS, IUP and the Indiana Youth programs. Indiana has been a world beater in this building over the years and has knocked off a nice resume of opponents including # 2 Latrobe, # 4 Franklin Regional and # 6 Montour, but tonight they will need a victory to slide into the playoffs as the 12th and final team in Class AA and win a victory would move on to face Montour sometime next week. With a loss, the Indians fall peril to a tiebreaker with South Park at 9-12-1, that is the best kept secret since the Colonel’s Special KFC recipe and not known to the average fan. Since South Park defeated Indiana, conventional wisdom would let one believe they would get the final spot or possibly decide it with a play-in game, but not in Gotham City, where the unknown is a way of life. Before a raucious standing room only crowd including the 06-07 version of the ‘Hockey Hooligans’ of I.H.S. Indiana struck first at 12:14 as Jonathon Ogden roofed a rebound of Joe Appolonia shot past a helpless Joey Mecurio for a 1-0 lead. With 2:46 to go in the opening period, Joe Appolonia found a loose puck to the right of Mecurio and made no mistake giving Indiana a 2-0 lead. Kittanning made its 8th shot of the game count with just :04.7 left to cut the lead to 2-1, as Evan Blodgett scored on a rebound in front of Kevin Dougherty. Shots were 16-8 in favor of the Indians. With 9:26 to go in the 2nd, Nick Troup undressed the Indiana defeseman and just missed on a backhand high over rhe crossbar. Kittanning went on the power play with 4:43 to go with a chance to tie the game, which grew to a one minute 5 on 3 at 3:42 for a full minute.and without too much of an attack Indiana was successful in killing it off. With :48 seconds to go Mecurio made a nice stop on # 16. Shots in the second period was 7-6 in favor of Indiana. On to the third period and with Indiana needing a win to ensure a playoff spot. Mecurio robbed Apolonia with a sprawling save at 12:03 and Kittanning came right back down the ice and tied the game with 11:47 to go as Zack Avi took a perfect feed from Nick Troup for an easy goal and a 2-2 deadlock. Kittanning would get an opportunity at 9:33 to take the lead on the power play and as Indiana killed the first penalty, they were assessed another at 7:33. Then Kittanning took a penalty at 6:45 to even things up. Joey Mecurio made a nice stop on Appolonia at 6:25 to keep the score tied. Nick Troup raced the length of the ice and was semi hauled down and nothing was called and no goal resulted. Moments later, with 4:35 to play Kittanning was whistled for a holding call giving the Indians an opportunity to take the lead. Joe Appolonia almost converted as he fished through the legs of the Wildcat defense, but Mecurio made the save. With 2:05 to go Indiana was called for goaltender interference and the Wildcats would have a chance to go ahead, but could not score sending the game to overtime. With 2:35 to go in OT, all that stood between Jonathon Ogden and a goal was the puck and the post and he could not get the handle. Moments later with 1:58 remaining in OT, TJ George kept the puck in the zone and Jay Pettina spotted a streaking Joe Appolonia who buried a shot between the 5-hole giving Indiana a thrilling 3-2 overtime win and a trip to the playoffs next week and sends South Park along with Kittanning home for the playoffs.

Knights Pull Stunner By JOSH STROPE Riding a wave of momentum, Wheeling Central went into WesBanco Arena and won its first West Virginia State Hockey Championship with a 6-3 victory against Morgantown on Wednesday. G.T. Blass finished as the game’s Most Valuable Player, scoring a hat trick to lead the Maroon Knights to the title. Fourth-seeded Wheeling Central took the hard route to claim the title, beating John Marshall in the opening game, followed by upsetting top-seeded Wheeling Park, before defeating the second-seed Mohawks. It was Tuesday’s victory against the Patriots that gave Wheeling Central the confidence it needed. ‘‘Beating Park was a big help, and there’s nothing more you can ask for than beating Park,’’ Blass said. “That’s our city rival, a great team the whole year. ‘‘We just worked hard, played our best, and came out with a W.’’ Much like the game against Park, Wheeling Central wasted no time getting on the scoreboard and letting Morgantown know it was there to win. After a pass across the goalmouth was deflected by a Mohawks defender, Blass found himself all alone and backhanded the puck through the legs of Morgantown goalkeeper Parker Lawrence a little more than two minutes in. Later in the first, with Morgantown on a power play, Shane Garan stuck out his stick and raced down the ice. Teammate Ryan Herron was beside him as the Maroon Knights found themselves on a two-on-none breakaway. Morgantown defenders caught up with Garan, but he was able to get the puck to Herron who finished for the shorthanded goal and a 2-0 Wheeling Central advantage. Morgantown was able to cut the lead in half on its next power play chance as Ryan David picked up a rebound and scored past Wheeling Central netminder Tommy Pie. But much like the first period, Wheeling Central scored early in the second to regain its two-goal advantage as Geno Catalano beat Lawrence gloveside for a 3-1 lead. The Mohawks responded two minutes later with a goal by Alexander Theeke. Theeke took a shot from the blue line that Pie couldn’t see, and the puck trickled past. ‘‘The second goal was rolling on the end, and I didn’t get a good look at it,’’ Pie said. But before Pie could let the goal get into his head, Blass scored his second goal of the game. Wheeling Central immediately went on the power play and Blass backhanded another goal as Wheeling Central went up 4-2 just 48 seconds after Morgantown once again closed the gap. ‘‘They picked me up right away and that was great. I thanked them,’’ Pie said. And in what became a familiar pattern, Wheeling Central scored 31 seconds into the final period as Blass netted his third goal and seemingly the Maroon Knights’ first title. ‘‘After every period, it’s tough coming off and having the zamboni come out,’’ Blass said. ‘‘You get kind of stiff, but you just got to come out with the same intensity every period, and it’s really important to get that first goal in the beginning of every period to set the tone.’’ Morgantown’s best chance to get back in the game came midway through the third period as the Mohawks had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:30. But Pie came up big, and the Maroon Knights defenders laid some big hits to kill off both penalties. Pie, whose nerves were at a high the day before, was more calm and collected and it showed, stopping 30 shots. ‘‘After beating Park, everything went down,’’ Pie said. ‘‘I was able to play my best out there.’’ Herron scored an empty-net goal, and Morgantown’s Ryan Wise scored a late tally to conclude the scoring. “It feels great. I can’t even explain it,’’ Blass said. Added Pie: “It’s the best feeling ever.’’ W.Va. State Hockey Championships Final (at WesBanco Arena) Wheeling Central 6, Morgantown 3 W — Goals: Blass 3, Herron 2, Catalano; Assists: Garan 3, Grubler 2, Herron, Taylor, Stahl. Goalkeeper: Pie (30 saves); M — Goals: David, Theeke, Wise; Assists: Adams, Arthurs, David, Taylor; Goalkeeper: Lawrence (22 saves).

Beginning next week, Pa Hockey will begin coverage of the 2007 Penguins Cup Playoffs that will culminate in the Pennsylvania High School Hockey Championships on April 7th at the Ice Works in Aston, Pa. Since 1975, the State of Pennsylvania has competed for State Championships and this year there will be great battles in Class A, AA and AAA for the crown. Pa Hockey will bring wire to wire coverage of the playoffs with Highlights, Game Summaries and of course of much anticipated previews. In addition, we have the complete history of Penguins Cup, Flyers Cup and Pennsylvania High School Hockey Championships. Only on Pa Hockey ! **** THE PENGUIN CUP PREVIEWS ARE NOW AVAILABLE**** Please check out all of the action at the bottom of the Pa Hockey Main Page for ***GAME SUMMARIES*** and Highlights [H] Penguins Cup Finals ~ Mellon Arena Saturday March 24th Class A Penguins Cup - Freeport 4 Quaker Valley 1 *Please see the Game Summary Attached to the score at the bottom of the page* Class AA Penguins Cup - Pine Richland 6 Thomas Jefferson 3 *Please see the Game Summary Attached to the score at the bottom of the page* Sunday March 25th Class AAA Penguins Cup - North Allegheny 2 Bethel Park 1 (2 OT)

Beginning next week, Pa Hockey will begin coverage of the 2007 Penguins Cup Playoffs that will culminate in the Pennsylvania High School Hockey Championships on April 7th at the Ice Works in Aston, Pa. Since 1975, the State of Pennsylvania has competed for State Championships and this year there will be great battles in Class A, AA and AAA for the crown. Pa Hockey will bring wire to wire coverage of the playoffs with Highlights, Game Summaries and of course of much anticipated previews. In addition, we have the complete history of Penguins Cup, Flyers Cup and Pennsylvania High School Hockey Championships. Only on Pa Hockey ! **** THE PENGUIN CUP PREVIEWS ARE NOW AVAILABLE**** Please check out all of the action at the bottom of the Pa Hockey Main Page for ***GAME SUMMARIES*** and Highlights [H] Penguins Cup Finals ~ Mellon Arena Saturday March 24th Class A Penguins Cup - Freeport 4 Quaker Valley 1 *Please see the Game Summary Attached to the score at the bottom of the page* Class AA Penguins Cup - Pine Richland 6 Thomas Jefferson 3 *Please see the Game Summary Attached to the score at the bottom of the page* Sunday March 25th Class AAA Penguins Cup - North Allegheny 2 Bethel Park 1 (2 OT)

Mt Lebanon 1 Meadville 1 (OT) Mt Lebanon - This was a who’s who night at the Mt Lebanon Rec Center, but with playoff implications soaring and the bat phone ringing every 30 seconds, we’ll save it for another time. Meadville (15-4-1) and Mt Lebanon (16-3-1) are part of a tiebreaker of tiebreakers of the century, but the Blue Devils really would like not like to even be a part of it since they are in control of their own destiny, with a full game lead on the Bulldogs, North Allegheny (16-4-1), McDowell (15-4-1), and Upper St Clair (14-4-1), who could all end up tied if the aforementioned schools take care of business AND Meadville is able to defeat the defending Pennsylvania State Class AAA champions. Mt Lebanon has not lost in the regular season since January 4th to Bethel Park 2-0 and rebounded from that game to tie the Hawks less than a week later 2-2. The Blue Devils have kept up their non-league slate to prepare themselves for the stretch run and it was in Meadville that coach Paul Taibi got the attention of his team with a midnight madness practice immediately after a sub-par performance against Sylvania Northview. Lebo has playing with fire ever since January in defense of their title. The great statement at center ice of the Mt Lebanon Recreation Center reads ‘Lebo State Champs 1976 and 2006’ which shows the history of a great program and building built in 1977. Meadville and Head Coach Jamie Plunkett are no stranger to these situations and the Bulldogs having been fighting inconsistencies throughout the season, that resulted in a loss to Upper St Clair and surrendering a 2-1 lead late to North Allegheny. The Bulldogs have been on both ends of the spectrum as exemplified by a 4-2 victory over # 1 Bethel Park last week in the annual Blackdog Cup. Desperation is a pretty good adjective to use As home ice advantage, a bye and a lot of tiebreaker situations are on the line as a result of this season ending game between the Bulldogs and Blue Devils and could have a huge impact on the Class AAA playoff landscape. Meadville came out flying in the first five minutes and had a couple of good chances on Robbie Behling, but could not find the net as the ice tilted to the Black and Red before a packed house at the Mt Lebanon Rec Center. The Bulldogs are a very good team when they get their half ice rotation going and they smother opponents with tenacious forechecking, which was on display in the opening period of this contest. With 4:23 remaining in the opening period, the Dawgs were whistled to put Mt Lebanon on the power play, which was unsuccessful. Mt Lebo’s shot blocking was on display late in the period as Meadville attempted to mount an attack late in the period, which ended scoreless. Shots were Mt Lebanon 7 Meadville 5 in the first 15 minutes. Mt Lebanon had its first real good scoring opportunity of the game as Jon Wilen was alone in the slot, but Meadville’s Aaron Nye blocked the shot at 10:42. 730 noonan backhand Meadville pp 622 behling nice save on tip by fedorka 417 jon wilen breakaway 408 mt lebo pp and increased to a 5 on 3 power play at 2:39 as Brooks Behling was hauled down on a breakaway. This was nullified just 6 seconds later when Lebo was whistled for an interference call, which could be a very big turning point of this hockey game. Lebo was whistled for another call creating a 4 on 3 for Meadville and a 30 second advantage to end the period as Mt Lebanon held the advantage in play and shots 10-5 in the second, but the Bulldogs held the lead going to the ice cut 1-0. Just 17 seconds into the 3rd period, Meadville took a penalty putting the Blue Devils on the power play. The Mt Lebanon power play, which looked close to scoring was a little out of sync as the Bulldogs penned them up in their own end and killed it off. Robbie Behling made a nice stop of a Luke Killmeyer backhand at 11:02 and the Dawgs went on the power play after the whistled, with a golden opportunity to extend their lead, but to no avail. An interference call on Meadville at 8:49, put the Blue Devils on the man advantage and then a scary moment as Mike Noonan and Scott Millhouse collided and the Blue Devils were accessed to even things up. Behling made a sprawling save on Pat Leone with 5:53 to play to keep the score 1-0. Meadville has struggled to hold leads late in games this season and Lebo stepped up their efforts as the game headed into the final five minutes. With 2:48 to play, the Blue Devils tied the hockey game as Mike Wagner pounced on a rebound and slid it through the 5-hole of Mike Licinski of a Taylor Phillips shot from the left point. Moments later, Lebo’s Scott Millhouse made a sliding stop of a Morgan Nickerson chance at 1:59. The game headed into overtime with a ton on the line. During the overtime period, both teams battled and limited one another’s scoring opportunities, which prompted Jamie Plunkett to pull goaltender Mike Licinski. Robbie Behling and Lebo 46 would hold off the Meadville attack and when the final buzzer rang, Mt Lebanon was elated, while Meadville was disappointed. The impact culminated with a Central Catholic victory over Upper St Clair 7-5, a McDowell victory over Canon McMillan 9-3, with a result of Mt Lebanon finishing 16-3-2 with the 2nd seed, North Allegheny 16-4-1 with the 3rd seed (winning tiebreaker over McDowell with 7-2 victory head to head), McDowell 16-4-1 (winning their first division title in over 20 years) edging out the Bulldogs for the 4th seed, Meadville 16-4-2 taking the 5th seed and Central Catholic 15-6-0 and Upper St Clair 14-5-1 will get the # 6 and # 7 seeds pending the outcome of the USC – Bethel Park finale. On this night, there is one thing that is very clear and that is that we should have some pretty interesting Class AAA games in two weeks barring no upsets. The matchups in round two with no upsets in round one will shake out with the Blackhawks taking on Seneca Valley (who narrowly lost to BP 4-2 last week with an ENG), Mt Lebanon and North Allegheny will take on either USC or Central Catholic and Meadville will travel to Erie to play McDowell. Round one will feature Meadville – Penn Trafford, Seneca Valley –Fox Chapel and Upper St Clair and Central Catholic will face Plum and North Hills, pending the outcome of the USC – Bethel finale. Let the games begin and make sure to check out the Pa Hockey previews of the 2007 Penguins Cup later this week!