Archbishop Carroll Patriots - 1981 AAA 2004 AA

Kittanning takes that next step in Double Overtime thriller! ROSTRAVER ~ The Dean of Western Pa Class AA coaching, Thomas Jefferson head coach Don Powell calls his team the ‘Young Piranhas’ because of their tenacity and intense work ethic. The Jaguars advanced to the Penguins Cup Semi-Finals against Kittanning with a big win over Canon McMillan last week and did so with a strong third period where the Jags shut down the Big Macs with great defensive play. TJ was looking to return to the Penguins Cup for the first time since 2000, when they completed the hat trick and won their third straight Pennsylvania Class AA State Championship. The coaching contingent for the Jaguars was on hand in Kittanning last Thursday night to get a look at the Wildcats for the first ever playoff meeting between the schools. Kittanning coach Jeff Smouse, on the other hand, must be living a dream after the exciting 3-2 win over Indiana before a packed house at the Belmont last week. The Wildcats motto all season has been ‘Unfinished Business’ and after losing to Indiana last year at Rostraver, Kittanning vowed to return to the big dance and this time they brought half of Armstrong County with them to take on a big throng of TJ supporters. The ‘Cats’ were looking to return to the Penguins Cup for the first time since 1991, when they carried the banner of Armstrong Central and defeated Meadville 7-4 at the Civic Arena before bowing to Council Rock in the State Finals, so for many a long-time Armstrong County hockey supporters, this is their version of ‘Unfinished Business’. For the first two periods of the Penguins Cup Class AA Semi Final, it was a defensive struggle as the teams matched blow for blow like a heavyweight boxing match or maybe a chess match was more indicative of what went on. As the Dean of AA Coaching Powell and the brain trust of Kittanning Jeff Smouse and ‘the Professor’ Al Stipp charted and plotted and matched lines and matched shits as well. The duel-taking place on the ice was just fantastic as Adam Toy and Danny Hartman, showed all of Western Pennsylvania why they were selected as Pa Hockey Top 25 selections and why Kittanning and Thomas Jefferson have been very successful this season, with great defense and excellent balance across three lines. Like a Broadway musical moving toward a climax the teams forged on after two periods in a 0-0 tie with Thomas Jefferson holding a slight advantage in shots 15-13. The third period was much like the first two as Toy and Hartman’s goaltending turned brilliant. In the middle of the third, Kittanning’s Dustin Kellner was slammed to the boards on a big collision behind the net and TJ broke out with a two on one as Brandon School moved up ice with great opportunity for the Jaguars and Kittanning got a huge break when the linesman using his discretion, blew the play dead since Kellner appeared hurt on the play. With 7:18 to play, the Jaguars were whistled for a penalty putting the Wildcats on the power play and a golden opportunity to score the games first goal…. and as fate would have it they did and it was Dustin Kellner walking out of the corner and beat Danny Hartman for a 1-0 Kittanning lead with 6:13 left. The Wildcats adjusted their fore check going to a 1-4 and frustrated the Jaguars, but TJ fought through the dreaded trap and forced a face-off in Kittanning’s end with a little over 4 minutes left. C.J. Parkinson showed great composure as he found Luke Wawrzeniak alone in front and Luke banged home a shot past Adam Toy to tie the game with 3:24 remaining. The game went into overtime and thanks to Adam Toy and Danny Hartman’s continued stellar goaltending neither team could score and there were many opportunities at both ends. The chess match continued as both teams fought to not make mistakes, while looking for that one opportunity to end it and Jessie Shriver just would not be denied as he outworked two Jaguars in the corner and threw the puck in front with under a minute left in Overtime # 2 and a big scramble ensued as it was Dustin Kellner, who found the loose puck and in one motion wristed one past Hartman sending the Kittanning Wildcats dancing onto the Penguins Cup with just 49.7 seconds remaining in the second extra session, ending what will go down as one of the Classic AA Playoff games in history. The Peters Machine shows why they may be the best team in the State at any level ! In 1996, Greensburg CC won their third State Championship under Butch Marrietta and for those who don’t remember the journey, the Centarians completed a magical run which included a win over an Indiana team, thought to be at the time one of the most dominating Class AA teams in State History. Indiana was coming off a 6-0 whitewashing in the Penguins Cup of Beaver, while GCC outlasted Erie Cathedral Prep in one of the best double overtime playoff games in State History. GCC went on to win the Class AA Penguins Cup and Class AA State Championship with an improbable comeback down 3-0 and beat Indiana 4-3 at Iceoplex. So when Greensburg CC handed Peters Twp a 4-3 loss earlier this season, I am sure coach Joe Dytka felt that the Centarians could slay the dragon AKA Peter Twp. Peters Twp head coach Mark Cooper is going to need some therapy sooner or later, because this group of Peters Twp Indians is gonna drive him nuts with all of their flight plans and the multiple personalities on the defending State Champions. There is no question that the Indians are the best team in Class AA and they have proven it, but winning a State Championship is a different story as one bad outing sends you home and no one knows that better than coach ‘Coop’. If he doesn’t believe me, just read the aforementioned story about Indiana again. Peter Twp had all of the suspects, prospects and players in uniform as they took the ice against Greensburg CC, maybe with a little payback in mind for their early season loss to the Centarians. The defending champs came out on all cylinders in the first period as Corey Bovalina banged home a rebound past Jake Genes at 13:08 to give the Indians a 1-0 lead. Mike Papciak extended the lead to 2-0 at 8:43 and Mike Sherer added another at 6:47 to give PT a commanding 3-0 lead at the end of one. On to the second, and after a goals was waived off for Peters Twp Christian Minella slammed home a shot from in close to make it 4-0 at 11:10 and Brandon Rubeo turned it into a rout with just 6:35 left in the second at 5-0 PT. Kyle Kittleberger stopped a couple of GCC chances and Peters Twp was well on its way to the Penguins Cup at the end of the second. Peters continued its onslaught in the third as Matt Clackson scored on the rebound at 11:29 and a backhand at 6:30, while brother Chris Clackson closed out the scoring late in the third period and Peters Twp sent the patrons home early with a convincing 8-0 shellacking of Greensburg CC. The win sets up a match up with Kittanning, which will be a rematch of sorts of an upset by Peters over Kittanning in 1998 in the Penguins Cup Semi-Finals, but this time Peters will be the favorite and Kittanning will be the underdog……..the Kittanning coaching brain trust may want to give coach Marrietta a call for some advice how to slay the dragon because judging by the performance by Peters Twp versus GCC, the well oiled machine is out to prove they are the best team in the state at any level.

ROSTRAVER ~ Mighty Hilltoppers pull off a big upset and defeat Mars 3-2 ! Mars has had a wonderful season in 2002-2003, out scoring their opponents in almost ridiculous fashion and has done so with great touch around the net and great puck movement. Head Coach Bob Finney’s team dare to go where no Planets team before them, as Mars picked up its first ever state playoff victory over Deer Lakes 10-5 to advance to the Penguins Cup Semi-Finals at Rostraver. The opponent would be division rival Westmont, who the Planets defeated twice this season 6-1 and 6-4 and beating them a third time would be a real feat for Mars. Westmont Hilltop has been here before and head coach Art McQuillan has watched many a Hilltopper season end at Rostraver over the past as 6 out of the past eight years have ended in Penguin Cup Semi – Final disappointment, not including 2002 when they lost to Serra Catholic at the Gardens. So the usual suspects with a couple of their friends as Bob the Bus Driver in his own superstitious way, like many of the Hilltopper faithful took their posts at the Rostraver Ice Garden, hoping for a little Irish luck for McQuillan lad and his band of merry men on St Patrick’s Day. Maybe Mars was supposed to be a little nervous in their first trip to the Semi-Finals, nut the Planets came out storming in the first period and took it to Westmont outshooting them 20-5, but Hilltopper goaltender Pat Krumenacher was outstanding helping his team kill off two of three penalties. The one he didn’t resulted in the games first score as Bobby Beckert stationed himself in front and took a nice feed from Bobby Finney and slammed it home for a 1-0 Mars lead. Westmont weathered the storm and held Mars off the board early in the second as the Planets continued their attack with 14 more shots in the middle frame. As legend woud have it, the mighty Hilltopper would get their chance as Mars was maybe too aggressive as Justin McClosky streaked down the left wing and blasted a big slapshot inside the far post to tie the game with 10:02 left in the 2nd. McCloskey showed why he had 37 goals on the regular season as he came right back a few shifts later and beat Bryan Ross on a long slapshot, which appeared to have deflected off a Mars defenseman and over the glove of the freshman goaltender at 6:36 to give Westmont a 2-1 lead, despite being outgunned 34-10 through two periods. Mars continued their attack on Westmont resulting in a Planet power play in the middle of the final period of regulation. Jim Roach found a wide open Bobby Beckert in tight at 8:04 and the big Mars Forward made no mistake beating Krumenacher through the 5 hole and tying the game at 2-2. Art McQuillan had to wonder as his team was whistled with a little over five minutes to play putting Mars on the power play, with a chance to regain the lead. But this wasn’t just any ole Hilltopper team, as David ‘don’t call me Corey’ Mock made a great play to penetrate the Planets defense and dropped a terrific pass to McCloskey, who buried a wrist shot past Ross and sent the Westmont faithful into an uproar on the near sidelines with a 3-2 lead. The mighty Hilltoppers could smell victory and Mars displayed their frustration by taking a few ill-advised penalties late and Westmont held on to go on to the Penguins Cup for the first time since 1998. ROSTRAVER ~ Serra continues mastery over Bishop McCort 4-1 ! Bishop McCort has been to the Penguins Cup finals 10 out of the last twelve seasons with five Class A State Championships and many great seasons, but coach John Bradley’s club has run into a real roadblock over the past three seasons in the form of the Serra Catholic Eagles, who have won three consecutive State Championships at the expense of the Crimson Crushers. The road to the Class A State Championship, which used to go through Johnstown has been detoured through onto Route 30 and through East McKeesport and Serra Catholic High School. Those pesky Eagles have been awesome this season, but head coach John Mooney knows every time his team suits up against McCort, that Serra will have a tussle, especially at playoff time. Serra defeated Freeport and has been scorching Class A for the entire second half of the season with the usual suspects Leppo, King and Lubasch, but also with a new breed of Eagles in Joey Manning, Ryan Noone and Ray Gillis, who have matured into a strong double threat for the Egales. CJ King opened the scoring at 10:40 beating the McCort defense and goaltender Ron Stenger on the wrist shot stick side to give Serra a 1-0 lead. The Crimson Crushers pressured Serra for the equalizer in the first period, including a 5 on 3 power play with two minutes left in the first, but met the same old frustration as Timmy Johnson stoned them included 10 shots on the two man advantage and the Eagles took a 1-0 lead to the break. On to the second and King rung McCort up again on the power play at 10:08 getting his own rebound and beating Stenger to give Serra a 2-0 lead. Joe Delic came back and got McCort on the board on a rebound goal with 7:27 left in the 2nd period. The Crimson Crushers were pressing for the equalizer but Serra caught them napping as King found Joey Manning behind the McCort defense and threaded a perfect pass to the speedy forward, who scored to give the Eagles a huge insurance goal with 3:43 left in the 2nd and a 3-1 lead. Bishop McCort would have an opportunity to get back in the game on a 4 minute power play at 12:51, but they could not beat Johnston, who stopped 33 of 34 shots and has made a career out of beating the Crimson Crushers. C.J. King closed it out with the hat trick with just 8 minutes remaining and Serra would move on to the Penguins Cup for the 4th straight year with an impressive 4-1 win over McCort.

ROSTRAVER ~ Mighty Hilltoppers pull off a big upset and defeat Mars 3-2 ! Mars has had a wonderful season in 2002-2003, out scoring their opponents in almost ridiculous fashion and has done so with great touch around the net and great puck movement. Head Coach Bob Finney’s team dare to go where no Planets team before them, as Mars picked up its first ever state playoff victory over Deer Lakes 10-5 to advance to the Penguins Cup Semi-Finals at Rostraver. The opponent would be division rival Westmont, who the Planets defeated twice this season 6-1 and 6-4 and beating them a third time would be a real feat for Mars. Westmont Hilltop has been here before and head coach Art McQuillan has watched many a Hilltopper season end at Rostraver over the past as 6 out of the past eight years have ended in Penguin Cup Semi – Final disappointment, not including 2002 when they lost to Serra Catholic at the Gardens. So the usual suspects with a couple of their friends as Bob the Bus Driver in his own superstitious way, like many of the Hilltopper faithful took their posts at the Rostraver Ice Garden, hoping for a little Irish luck for McQuillan lad and his band of merry men on St Patrick’s Day. Maybe Mars was supposed to be a little nervous in their first trip to the Semi-Finals, nut the Planets came out storming in the first period and took it to Westmont outshooting them 20-5, but Hilltopper goaltender Pat Krumenacher was outstanding helping his team kill off two of three penalties. The one he didn’t resulted in the games first score as Bobby Beckert stationed himself in front and took a nice feed from Bobby Finney and slammed it home for a 1-0 Mars lead. Westmont weathered the storm and held Mars off the board early in the second as the Planets continued their attack with 14 more shots in the middle frame. As legend woud have it, the mighty Hilltopper would get their chance as Mars was maybe too aggressive as Justin McClosky streaked down the left wing and blasted a big slapshot inside the far post to tie the game with 10:02 left in the 2nd. McCloskey showed why he had 37 goals on the regular season as he came right back a few shifts later and beat Bryan Ross on a long slapshot, which appeared to have deflected off a Mars defenseman and over the glove of the freshman goaltender at 6:36 to give Westmont a 2-1 lead, despite being outgunned 34-10 through two periods. Mars continued their attack on Westmont resulting in a Planet power play in the middle of the final period of regulation. Jim Roach found a wide open Bobby Beckert in tight at 8:04 and the big Mars Forward made no mistake beating Krumenacher through the 5 hole and tying the game at 2-2. Art McQuillan had to wonder as his team was whistled with a little over five minutes to play putting Mars on the power play, with a chance to regain the lead. But this wasn’t just any ole Hilltopper team, as David ‘don’t call me Corey’ Mock made a great play to penetrate the Planets defense and dropped a terrific pass to McCloskey, who buried a wrist shot past Ross and sent the Westmont faithful into an uproar on the near sidelines with a 3-2 lead. The mighty Hilltoppers could smell victory and Mars displayed their frustration by taking a few ill-advised penalties late and Westmont held on to go on to the Penguins Cup for the first time since 1998. ROSTRAVER ~ Serra continues mastery over Bishop McCort 4-1 ! Bishop McCort has been to the Penguins Cup finals 10 out of the last twelve seasons with five Class A State Championships and many great seasons, but coach John Bradley’s club has run into a real roadblock over the past three seasons in the form of the Serra Catholic Eagles, who have won three consecutive State Championships at the expense of the Crimson Crushers. The road to the Class A State Championship, which used to go through Johnstown has been detoured through onto Route 30 and through East McKeesport and Serra Catholic High School. Those pesky Eagles have been awesome this season, but head coach John Mooney knows every time his team suits up against McCort, that Serra will have a tussle, especially at playoff time. Serra defeated Freeport and has been scorching Class A for the entire second half of the season with the usual suspects Leppo, King and Lubasch, but also with a new breed of Eagles in Joey Manning, Ryan Noone and Ray Gillis, who have matured into a strong double threat for the Egales. CJ King opened the scoring at 10:40 beating the McCort defense and goaltender Ron Stenger on the wrist shot stick side to give Serra a 1-0 lead. The Crimson Crushers pressured Serra for the equalizer in the first period, including a 5 on 3 power play with two minutes left in the first, but met the same old frustration as Timmy Johnson stoned them included 10 shots on the two man advantage and the Eagles took a 1-0 lead to the break. On to the second and King rung McCort up again on the power play at 10:08 getting his own rebound and beating Stenger to give Serra a 2-0 lead. Joe Delic came back and got McCort on the board on a rebound goal with 7:27 left in the 2nd period. The Crimson Crushers were pressing for the equalizer but Serra caught them napping as King found Joey Manning behind the McCort defense and threaded a perfect pass to the speedy forward, who scored to give the Eagles a huge insurance goal with 3:43 left in the 2nd and a 3-1 lead. Bishop McCort would have an opportunity to get back in the game on a 4 minute power play at 12:51, but they could not beat Johnston, who stopped 33 of 34 shots and has made a career out of beating the Crimson Crushers. C.J. King closed it out with the hat trick with just 8 minutes remaining and Serra would move on to the Penguins Cup for the 4th straight year with an impressive 4-1 win over McCort.

KITTANNING ~ As the big Blue Jeep pulled up to the Belmont Ice Complex a little over a half an hour before last nights Indiana – Kittanning playoff game….the reaction was …..to put it lightly…..look at this ! While the Belmont holds nearly 1200, there were infinitely more than that in the building as a crowd of an estimated 1400-1500 showed up for the ‘Route 422’ rivalry between the Wildcats and the Indians. To find a parking space was a rarity as my partner in crime Ron Steedle and I pulled into a nice muddy creek bed to get the Jeep nice and dirty, so when Western Pennsylvania wins its 8th consecutive Pennsylvania Class AA State Championship, I can watch Breakaway’s Jeff Nolan wash it wearing the jersey of the Western Pa team……….and if its Kittanning that happens to do it we’ll all convene back in the parking lot of the Belmont. Stay tuned for details on that wager! And it was Miss Jane’s ‘Romper Room’ night as the who’s who were out in full force as the Thomas Jefferson coaching staff of Don Powell, John Fedorek, Tom Pandolfo and Mark Heinauer, joined GCC’s Joe Dytka and film crew to scout the game with Ole’s regulars Max & Tim [14:60 Forever!], Jimmo Greenbaum, Larry Montebell, Ed ‘Jake’ Jacobs, long time Kittanning/Armstrong Central coach Joe Ritchey, coach former Armstrong Central stud Jon Yackmack [who led the last trip to the State Finals out of the Belmont] and recent Indiana stud Casey Haines [who is now entertaining Junior A offers amazingly as just a sophomore in high school….I guess he won’t need to play for our recently aforementioned midget AAA team, who denies kids an opportunity for State Playoff glory in exchange for practice]. I am sure Indiana coach Dom Glavech would have loved to have put Casey Haines in the lineup last night to help his struggling offense find the net, but Casey donned a red Indiana jersey to participate with the 2003 version of the ‘Hockey Hooligans’, who were dwarfed by the town of Kittanning, who showed up to root for the home team. As the national anthem was sung, it was great to hear people actually singing along with the young lady from Kittanning H.S., which is something missing from the ‘Suburbanite’ society we live in today and gave me goosebumps. This is probably why some of us really enjoy attending hockey games at places like the Belmont or Meadville or Johnstown or Indiana or Erie, where the community really support the hockey programs and turn out in droves to watch them play [Personally, Mr Steedle and I get to double my pleasure coaching the kids in the Keystone State (MIDGETS) games, now in the 7th year]. Indiana reached the Penguin Cup Finals last season for the second time in their history and did so by defeating Kittanning 6-0 at Rostraver. The Indians then missed a golden opportunity to advance to the State Finals falling short in its comeback 3-2 to eventual champion Peters Twp. Kittanning, on the other hand, vowed after the Indiana loss to return to the big dance and coach Jeff Smouse really wanted to play Indiana along the way to prove that his team is ready to take that next step toward West Chester. To do it, the Wildcats will need great goaltending from Adam Toy to steal a couple along the way, in the tradition of great Armstrong/Kittanning goaltenders like Eric ‘Zip’ Zimmerman or Brett Frederick or more recently Aaron Stanley, who have excelled in playoff competition. As the opening faceoff approached, you couldn’t help notice the loose attitude of Indiana and the nervous look on the faces of the California bleached Kittanning Wildcats. In fact, rumors has it if Kittanning advances to Neville Island for the Penguins Cup….that Max and Tim will get a bleach-job [I’d love to see that one]. Indiana wasted no time from the opening faceoff as Dane Bertinazzi who shot one down low, which Toy had to be sharp on as he just got his skate on and deflected into the corner at 14:14. The Indians came right back and struck first as Bryan Schlemmer bang home a rebound at 11:33 for a 1-0 lead. Indiana was all over Kittanning, outshooting them 16-5 in the opening period as Toy came up big on Zach Diamond at 11:14. Luke Heller almost tied the game at 10:10, but Mike Mentsch turn it aside. The Indians had a golden opportunity to take a two goal advantage on a power play with 3:24 remaining, but got whistled for a lazy tripping call in the offensive zone just 21 seconds into the man advantage, which was a huge mental mistake and testimony of the emotions of the opening period. So Kittanning dodged a big bullet and took advantage right off the bat in the second period as Eddie Germy made a heads up play finding Luke Heller, who snapped a shot inside the post to tie the game at 14:30 at one apiece. At this point, Indiana went back to work and continued pressuring the Wildcats but Adam Toy continued to sparkle as he stopped Jayson Vaughn at 10:36 and made a sliding save on Bertinazzi at 6:06. A simple series of two little plays may have changed the complexion of this hockey game as twice Kittanning defenseman Patrick Schneider was able to clear the zone after considerable Indiana pressure and gain some territorial ice for Kittanning towards the end of the 2nd period. The results of that play and a little laziness by the Indiana backline would be a huge break for the Wildcats, as super sophomore Eddie Germy kick the puck out in front to linemate Joel Shriver, who banged it home and gave Kittanning its first lead 2-1 with 2:30 left. Indiana almost tied in on the ensuing faceoff as Aaron Smith had a partial break but shot high over Toy. The Wildcats went on the power play and won the faceoff back to Michael Mecurio, who blasted one down low past Mentsch for a 3-1 lead, a power play goal and sent the Kittanning faithful into a frenzy with just 1:17 remaining and one period away from Rostraver. On to the third period and while Indiana was looking for a spark, Kittanning was looking for the knockout punch. Indiana went on the power play with 9:29 remaining and the best chance to score was Kittanning’s Luke Heller on the breakaway, but Mentsch dove out and poke checked the puck away at 9:01. The next rush up the ice resulted in another penalty and a 5 on 3 for Indiana, but Adam Toy was brilliant stopping several Indiana chances, the best on Zach Diamond on a sliding save across the crease at 7:38. Kittanning was able to kill the penalties, but Corey Mills banged home a rebound at 6:05 off a big scramble in front and the Indians were back in it 3-2. Indiana just dominated the final minutes with a 16-3 shot advantage in the 3rd and 40-14 on the night, but Adam Toy kept them out the rest of the way and paved the road to Rostraver with a 3-2 victory and a date with Thomas Jefferson next Tuesday night.

KITTANNING ~ As the big Blue Jeep pulled up to the Belmont Ice Complex a little over a half an hour before last nights Indiana – Kittanning playoff game….the reaction was …..to put it lightly…..look at this ! While the Belmont holds nearly 1200, there were infinitely more than that in the building as a crowd of an estimated 1400-1500 showed up for the ‘Route 422’ rivalry between the Wildcats and the Indians. To find a parking space was a rarity as my partner in crime Ron Steedle and I pulled into a nice muddy creek bed to get the Jeep nice and dirty, so when Western Pennsylvania wins its 8th consecutive Pennsylvania Class AA State Championship, I can watch Breakaway’s Jeff Nolan wash it wearing the jersey of the Western Pa team……….and if its Kittanning that happens to do it we’ll all convene back in the parking lot of the Belmont. Stay tuned for details on that wager! And it was Miss Jane’s ‘Romper Room’ night as the who’s who were out in full force as the Thomas Jefferson coaching staff of Don Powell, John Fedorek, Tom Pandolfo and Mark Heinauer, joined GCC’s Joe Dytka and film crew to scout the game with Ole’s regulars Max & Tim [14:60 Forever!], Jimmo Greenbaum, Larry Montebell, Ed ‘Jake’ Jacobs, long time Kittanning/Armstrong Central coach Joe Ritchey, coach former Armstrong Central stud Jon Yackmack [who led the last trip to the State Finals out of the Belmont] and recent Indiana stud Casey Haines [who is now entertaining Junior A offers amazingly as just a sophomore in high school….I guess he won’t need to play for our recently aforementioned midget AAA team, who denies kids an opportunity for State Playoff glory in exchange for practice]. I am sure Indiana coach Dom Glavech would have loved to have put Casey Haines in the lineup last night to help his struggling offense find the net, but Casey donned a red Indiana jersey to participate with the 2003 version of the ‘Hockey Hooligans’, who were dwarfed by the town of Kittanning, who showed up to root for the home team. As the national anthem was sung, it was great to hear people actually singing along with the young lady from Kittanning H.S., which is something missing from the ‘Suburbanite’ society we live in today and gave me goosebumps. This is probably why some of us really enjoy attending hockey games at places like the Belmont or Meadville or Johnstown or Indiana or Erie, where the community really support the hockey programs and turn out in droves to watch them play [Personally, Mr Steedle and I get to double my pleasure coaching the kids in the Keystone State (MIDGETS) games, now in the 7th year]. Indiana reached the Penguin Cup Finals last season for the second time in their history and did so by defeating Kittanning 6-0 at Rostraver. The Indians then missed a golden opportunity to advance to the State Finals falling short in its comeback 3-2 to eventual champion Peters Twp. Kittanning, on the other hand, vowed after the Indiana loss to return to the big dance and coach Jeff Smouse really wanted to play Indiana along the way to prove that his team is ready to take that next step toward West Chester. To do it, the Wildcats will need great goaltending from Adam Toy to steal a couple along the way, in the tradition of great Armstrong/Kittanning goaltenders like Eric ‘Zip’ Zimmerman or Brett Frederick or more recently Aaron Stanley, who have excelled in playoff competition. As the opening faceoff approached, you couldn’t help notice the loose attitude of Indiana and the nervous look on the faces of the California bleached Kittanning Wildcats. In fact, rumors has it if Kittanning advances to Neville Island for the Penguins Cup….that Max and Tim will get a bleach-job [I’d love to see that one]. Indiana wasted no time from the opening faceoff as Dane Bertinazzi who shot one down low, which Toy had to be sharp on as he just got his skate on and deflected into the corner at 14:14. The Indians came right back and struck first as Bryan Schlemmer bang home a rebound at 11:33 for a 1-0 lead. Indiana was all over Kittanning, outshooting them 16-5 in the opening period as Toy came up big on Zach Diamond at 11:14. Luke Heller almost tied the game at 10:10, but Mike Mentsch turn it aside. The Indians had a golden opportunity to take a two goal advantage on a power play with 3:24 remaining, but got whistled for a lazy tripping call in the offensive zone just 21 seconds into the man advantage, which was a huge mental mistake and testimony of the emotions of the opening period. So Kittanning dodged a big bullet and took advantage right off the bat in the second period as Eddie Germy made a heads up play finding Luke Heller, who snapped a shot inside the post to tie the game at 14:30 at one apiece. At this point, Indiana went back to work and continued pressuring the Wildcats but Adam Toy continued to sparkle as he stopped Jayson Vaughn at 10:36 and made a sliding save on Bertinazzi at 6:06. A simple series of two little plays may have changed the complexion of this hockey game as twice Kittanning defenseman Patrick Schneider was able to clear the zone after considerable Indiana pressure and gain some territorial ice for Kittanning towards the end of the 2nd period. The results of that play and a little laziness by the Indiana backline would be a huge break for the Wildcats, as super sophomore Eddie Germy kick the puck out in front to linemate Joel Shriver, who banged it home and gave Kittanning its first lead 2-1 with 2:30 left. Indiana almost tied in on the ensuing faceoff as Aaron Smith had a partial break but shot high over Toy. The Wildcats went on the power play and won the faceoff back to Michael Mecurio, who blasted one down low past Mentsch for a 3-1 lead, a power play goal and sent the Kittanning faithful into a frenzy with just 1:17 remaining and one period away from Rostraver. On to the third period and while Indiana was looking for a spark, Kittanning was looking for the knockout punch. Indiana went on the power play with 9:29 remaining and the best chance to score was Kittanning’s Luke Heller on the breakaway, but Mentsch dove out and poke checked the puck away at 9:01. The next rush up the ice resulted in another penalty and a 5 on 3 for Indiana, but Adam Toy was brilliant stopping several Indiana chances, the best on Zach Diamond on a sliding save across the crease at 7:38. Kittanning was able to kill the penalties, but Corey Mills banged home a rebound at 6:05 off a big scramble in front and the Indians were back in it 3-2. Indiana just dominated the final minutes with a 16-3 shot advantage in the 3rd and 40-14 on the night, but Adam Toy kept them out the rest of the way and paved the road to Rostraver with a 3-2 victory and a date with Thomas Jefferson next Tuesday night.