Bishop McCort Crimson Crushers - 1994-1995-1996-1997-1999 A

VALENCIA - Pine Richland has been to the Penguin Cup semi-final round each of the past five years and was looking for a return trip again to atone for a loss in the Penguin Cup last season. The Rams would have to do it without Randy Bauer, who was attending a meaningless practice for his amateur team (he has already committed to the Forge for next season). Latrobe, on the other hand, was still basking over their OT victory over arch rival Greensburg CC last week in the first round. The Wildcats were looking to go where no Latrobe team has ever gone. Pine Richland pressured in the first period and outshoot Latrobe 14-8, but could not beat Matt Bloom. Then with 3:43 remaining in the first, Nick Loughner gathered a loose puck and beat Danny Mills on the wraparound to make it 1-0. On to the second period and Pine Richland continued its onslaught on Bloom but were held off the board. The Rams may have been pressing tooo much as Josh Fajt caught their defense sleeping as he took a Matt Makoski pass and scored on the breakaway to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead. The Rams were not done yet as Ryan Tessmer deflected a J.R. Swan shot past the Latorbe keeper with just :10 seconds left to cut the lead to 2-1 at the break. Pine Richland came out flying in the third as Bloom made a great save on Adam Fodor at 14:01. The Rams continued to try to get the equalizer as Jon Schwerer hit the post with a little over 6 1/2 to play. A couple of near misses ensued as PR could not buy a goal. Then with the goalie pulled, Josh Fajt found the empty net to help Latrobe close out the scoring and send the Wildcats to the Penguin Cup Semi-Finals for the first time in their history since 1981 !