Baldwin Highlanders - 1975 & 1988 AAA

Mt Lebanon 4 Bethel Park 3 2006 Penguins Cup Semi-Finals CASTLE SHANNON – Mt Lebanon (23-0-0) and Bethel Park (18-4-1) return to the Penguins Cup Semi-Finals where a year ago the Blackhawks defeated Lebo 4-0 on their way to their 5th State Championship over Malvern Prep at the Hersheypark Arena. Mt Lebanon won both meetings this season 5-1 and 2-0, which in the scheme of things attributed to their tremendous 23 win perfect regular season in which they only yielded 13 goals, but in a one game elimination playoffs adds to the drama of the defending State Champions against the # 1 seed. Ralph and Alf’s Ice Castle is filled to he brim in a circus atmosphere for as two schools who are old rivals from the South Hills engaged right in the backyards of both teams. Mt Lebanon is looking to advance to their 5th Penguins Cup [2004, 2001, 1985 and 1976] and capture their first state title since 1976 and 3rd Penguins Cup. Mt Lebanon has been the discussion of a lot of discussions for one of the greatest high school teams of all-time, but must win the State Championship to even be considered in that company and Bethel Park, the defending State Champions is a big hurdle despite any regular season records, regular season games, rankings, dialog or anything else. Many great teams have had great seasons shortened and knowing coaches Paul Taibi and Jim ‘Mort’ McVay, the only discussion is the next shift and one step, which is this hockey game between Bethel and Lebo. Bethel Park goaltender Pete Constatino made the games first great save at 12:46 diving to stop Jon Wilen in a scoreless opening minutes. The Blue Devils went on the power play at 11:53 and it didn’t take long as Josh Mandic buried a wrist shot up over the glove side at 11:37 from the off wing for a 1-0 lead. A Bethel Park power play with a little over 8 minutes to go and the Hawks capitalized as Bryan Brown scored on a Tim O’Brien rebound at 7:59 to tie the score at 1-1. The Hawks struck again less than a minute later as Jeffrey Konyk unloaded a slapshot which beat Matt Vaughn inside the far post at 7:10 for a 2-1 BP lead. The Hawks were presented with a golden opportunity at 2:32 with another power play and without star forward Mandic for 10 minutes. The Blue Devils killed the penalty and stuck fast as Matt Bartkowski took a picture perfect pass from Jesse Root and beat Constatino to the stick side with 23 seconds left to tie the game at two apiece. Shots on goal in the opening period were 8-5 in favor of Bethel Park. The game slowed from the frantic pace of the opening period, but Lebo’s Jon Wilen scored on a rebound after a great individual effort by James Cichra, who took the puck through the BP defense at 9:20 to give the Blue Devils a 3-2 lead. The Hawks went on the power play and at 8:14 as Bryan Brown deflected the puck and scored on his own rebound of a shot from David Spadacene. Lebo got the next opportunity on the man advantage at 6:06 and Mt Lebanon scored after some pin point passing as Matt Bartkowski found Shane Ferguson at 4:15 to give the Blue Devils a 4-3 lead. Shots on goal in the second period were 14-4 in favor of the Blue Devils. With 12:05 left in regulation, Bethel Park went on the power play with an opportunity to tie the game, but could not score. At 8:07, Lebo went on the man advantage and Bethel survived with great penalty killing. The Hawks took an uncharacteristic undisciplined penalty at a critical time with 5:12 remaining and Bethel Park survived against thanks to great goaltending of Pete Constatino. Mt Lebanon was able to hold on for a nailbitting 4-3 victory and advance to the Penguins Cup against NA. Mt Lebanon outshot Bethel Park 26-19 on the evening.