Seneca Valley Raiders

CASTLE SHANNON – The Trinity hockey program has not been exactly a Class AA power over the years, but under the guidance of Larry Marks the team is a far cry from the 1-18-1 record in 2001-2002. The Hillers entered the 2004 Penguins Cup playoffs for the second straight year and while making the playoffs was a big deal last year, Trinity was looking for its first ever playoff victory. The Hillers have a short bench and have relied heavily on players like Jeff Hildebrand, Chris Graff, Greg Bandzuch, Josh Kelly and Matt Warco, who have provided over 80 % of Trinity’s scoring throughout the season. South Park has been to the Penguins Cup playoffs for 16 years and has yet to capture a Penguins Cup in 31 years, which is amazing given the talent that has been developed in the program over the years. The closest call believe it or not was way back in 1976, when the Eagles lost 3-2 to Gateway, who went on the next day to lose to Abington in the Class AA State Championship. The best South Park team may have been in 1997, when the Eagles were SHIHL AA Champions and could not overcome a early deficit against eventual Pa State AA Champions Erie Cathedral Prep and lost 5-3 at Rostraver. Head coach Bob Juha’s team down the stretch looked more like a team heading out of the playoffs as the Eagles have struggled to score goals when they need them and a prime candidate for a first round exit if they didn’t change things in a hurry. Trinity slowed the pace of the game down in the first period to perfection with smart play and good puck control, which kept the short Hiller bench fresh. South Park’s Matt Nichol appeared to score the opening goal at 9:57, but was waived off for the net was dislodged. The Hillers struck first late in the period as Chris Graff poked home a rebound and Trinity was on top 1-0 with 48 seconds left in the period. The Hillers extended their lead to 2-0 at 13:49 of the second as Chris Graff’s wrist shot through a screen handcuffed Ian Artim and the Eagles looked to be in trouble. Artim made a huge save on Jeff Hidebrand at 9:56 to keep South Park within reach. The momentum swung South Park’s way after a power play at 4:48, but Mick Alexander made two diving stops on Matt Lutrell and Michael Englert with 4 ½ minutes remaining. On the unsuing face-off this playoff game would take on a complete momentum switch. Dennis Fleming’s wrist shot from the right point found its way through traffic and bounced past Mick Alexander and South Park was finally on the board with a power play goal at 4:15. The Eagles were flying now and Tim Ryan took a great cross ice pass from Matt Slogan and tied the game deking Alexander at 2:55. Both teams had great chances late in the period to take the lead but Jared Miley’s shot rang off the post ay 2:02 and Josh Kelly just missed on a wide open chance at 1:53. Trinity had the first opportunity of the third period as Josh Kelly had a partial break, which was stopped by Ian Artim at 14:40. Alexander robbed Don Remlinger with a glove save at 12:57 after the Trinity defenseman lost his edge and fell. South Park just kept coming and Tommy Vaughn found Larry Locante alone in front, who beat Alexander between the legs to give the Eagles their first lead 3-2 at 10:40. South Park took a very undisciplined penalty at 8:01 and Trinity went to work on the power play in an attempt to tie the game. The Hillers were all over the South Park goal but could not score but the Eagles somehow kept them out after a big scramble in front of Ian Artim at 6:39. This would be all South Park would need as Tim Ryan took a nice chip pass from Slogan and beat Alexander on a breakaway to give the Eagles a 4-2 lead with 5:06 remaining. Matt Slogan would put the nail in Trinity’s coffin as the lanky forward scored on a wrist shot with 3:20 left. Greg Badzuch’s goal with 2:16 remaining brought the Hillers within two, but it was too little too late and the Eagles earned a 5-3 victory and a date with arch-rival Peters Township next week in the Elite 8 Class AA Penguins Cup.