Baldwin Highlanders - 1975 & 1988 AAA

Central Catholic 1 Mt Lebanon 0 HARMARVILLE - Since Tom Pandolfo took over the Central Catholic program he has adopted a little different philosophy than the Vikings are used to and pretty similar to what we saw at North Allegheny, which brought the Tigers to two consecutive Penguins Cup. By his own admission, coach Pandolfo demands more from his players than one could expect normally, which rubs people the wrong way sometimes, but is necessary if you have goals and aspirations, which many of the Central Catholic folks are interested in. And in that world, some players looking for more personal glory with travel programs may take the highway, which is fine and some have. To live in the world of the Bethel Park’s, Meadville’s and the Paul Taibi era at Mt Lebanon means your program has pride and character to commit to the goal of winning a state championship, which includes going over and above to make it happen. So the recent trip to Chicago to play in the Loyola Thanksgiving Tournament may have been a revelation for the Vikings. While several players chose no to go the ones who did battled to a respectable 2-1 mark against Providence [7-3 loss], Naperville Central [5-3 win] and Loyola Maroon [Non-Prep Varsity]. And coach Pandolfo has come out of this experience knowing what players will give him quality minutes come January, February and playoffs, which looks pretty good so far with a 5-1 mark. Mt Lebanon’s State Championship season had similar undertones a year ago as Lebo 66, which was the nickname of the Blue Devils, when their top line players were off traveling around the globe in Scoutsville, and when it came to rug cutting time, Lebo was able to count on players like Jon Wilen or Scott Millhouse or as it turned out in the Penguins Cup Sean McDermott. Yes, we could assume that a very important cog in the championship aspirations, are those 2nd or 3rd liners who gain valuable leadership experience during the season. The Blue Devils are a work in progress that has vaulted them to a 5-1 start thus far in 06-07. This season has been a little different animal for head coach Paul Taibi and the absence of offense has turned the attention to defense and goaltending. Last weekend’s trip to Cleveland was a prime example of 2-0 win over Gilmour Academy or the 2-1 win over St Ignatius, which is how Mt Lebanon is going to be able to get it done in March. If anyone doesn’t think that can happen just ask Tom Pandolfo, whose North Allegheny team yielded one goal in the 2005 Pennsylvania State Playoffs to Bethel Park and was sent packing after the Penguins Cup. So while character or character’s if you will are on Mt Lebanon’s side, with the absence of the Ralph and Alf road show, the emperor King Tut, leader of the Blue Devils and twisted professor of Egyptology [and DJ on the side] has turned to his Dr Denton [Doctor of Psychiatry and serves as King Tut’s psychoanalyst, though he does tend to fall asleep during sessions, possibly Sunday night Lebo practice sessions]. Dr Denton’s role in this plot is spearheaded by the play of his offspring Robbie Behling, who has been stellar between the pipes for Mt Lebanon this season and had a coming out party against Pandolfo’s former team, the North Allegheny Tigers last Friday night stopping 27 shots in the 2-0 Lebo victory. After a flurry of penalties in the opening period, the game settled into a little bit of flow after two Viking power plays resulted in a 7-1 CC shot advantage thru the first half of the first period. Mt Lebanon finally was able to counter with a few scoring chances but Central goaltender Phil Salerno made several nice saves as the shot gap evened out through the 1st to 9-7 in favor of Central Catholic. The Vikings carried the play in the second period adding six more shots to their total, while the Blue Devils only could counter with two bringing the shot totals to 15-9 in favor of CC. Mt Lebanon worked hard and created some scoring chances, but failed to get off shots and get the shots they had on goal. Dr Denton and King Tut are with this program and we seem to have coach Pandolfo’s and coach Taibi’s attention as well. After Batman’s psuedo nap aided by the expert analysis of the Milk Man Dave Dorsey, we readied ourselves for an action packed third period. Robbie Behling afforded his team an opportunity to steal another game and this story looked to be writing a familiar script for Mt Lebanon at 0-0 as the Blue Devils went on the power play with 14:31 to go in regulation. King Tut’s fiendish play with the aide of Dr Denton drew excitement from the far sideline as the Lebo faithful, many of whom are well aware of Lebo 66 lore had to like how this one was playing out. Mt Lebanon’s struggles at even strength this season have welcomed power plays, but coach Pandolfo’s Vikings had other ideas as Chris Urso’s shorthanded attempt at 13:48 was stopped by Behling and then C.J. Burke was stopped twice by Behling at 13:20. Then it looked like a little Lebo 66 action as the Blue Devils had a 3 on 2 with 11:49 to go but failed to get a quality shot off. Moments later at 11:27, Burke was stopped by Behling again and we were still scoreless. Ah the suspense, almost too much for Batman to handle as the Bat Phone rang and it was Alfred from the Batcave and Aunt Harriett who came on the line……..at 8:18, the Blue Devils would have yet another power play and Robbie Behling would again have to come up big stopping stopping Chris Urso twice shorthanded from point blank range avoiding disaster after doing a double camel on the goal line and falling to the ice. Coach Pandolfo had to be scratching his head and I know coach Taibi was because I same him, but Lebo was still alive and still had a chance to steal this game despite being outshot 27-11 on the evening. Then the character and pride I spoke about from the onset came to life with 2:49 to go as C.J. Burke, on a tremendous individual effort walked out from behind the net and lofted a wrist shot high past the stick side of Behling and into the net on Central’s 26th shot and Burke leap high in the air after it hit the twine giving Central Catholic a thrilling 1-0 victory at the Harmarville Blade Runners before quite a few spectators. These two teams may meet again down the road and it could make for a thriller in the playoffs!

Courtesy of North Allegheny The Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils defeated the Tigers, 2-0, at Bladerunners in Warrendale on Friday night. The game was a rematch of last year's PIHL final won by Lebo, 3-1. NA outshot the Blue Devils, 27-18, but could not beat Lebo goalie Rob Behling. Mt. Lebanon scored two power plays for the difference in the contest. In the first period, Lebo took advantage of an early penalty to senior captain Dan Gaertner to take the lead. Mike Roman scored just 1:40 into the game to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 advantage. The Tigers had a chance later in the period when Mt. Lebanon was called for too many men on the ice. Junior defenseman Corey Sheran came close to tying the game but his blast from the blue line went just wide. Lebo took a 1-0 lead to the first intermission despite being outshot, 12-6, by NA. In the second period, the Tigers took another early penalty, but good stops by NA senior goalie Adam Lutty and good defense by junior Josh Herbert kept Lebo off the board. The Tigers had several power play opportunities but could not beat Behling. Late in the period, senior Mike Peterson was sent off for interference. Lebo was able to take a 2-0 lead when top scorer Sean McDermott scored a second power play goal. The Blue Devils took a two-goal advantage into the second intermission. In the third period, it was NA with the early power play. The Tigers came close again when Gaertner tipped a shot by Peterson just wide of the goal. Later in the period, Lebo caught the Tigers in a line change and went in on a two-on-none break. Lutty was able to make the save and cover the rebound to keep the game at 2-0. The Tigers had a golden opportunity to get back in the game when they got a 5 on 3 advantage for a minute and a half but could not score. With just 1:44 remaining, the Tigers pressured the Lebo goal as senior defenseman Brad Schwartzmier made a great play to keep the puck in the Lebo zone. Even with Coach Jim Black pulling the goalie for the extra attacker, the Tigers could not score. Mt. Lebanon went home with a 2-0 victory.

INDIANA This Game Summary was provided by the Indiana Hockey Club Wednesday, November 29, 2006 PIHL AA Conference Record: 3-3-0 Indiana 6 : Peters Township 5 The Indiana High School Varsity Ice Hockey team defeated rival Peter Township in an exciting overtime win. John Ogden had two goals during regular playing time while adding the overtime game-winning goal for a hat trick. Single goals came from Troy Gaydosh, Steven Geisel, and Lance Lewandowski. Indiana’s Joe Appolonia lead the team in assists with three while Ryan Rivosecchi and TJ George added one a piece. Wes Lyons stopped 9 of 11 shots, while Kevin Dougherty finished the game stopping 16 of 19 shots faced. Scoring Indiana Period 1: 1 Period 2: 3 Period 3: 1 OT: 1 Final: 6 Peters Township 1: 2 2: 1 3: 2 Final: 5 Home: Indiana Goaltender: Wes Lyons Total shots faced/saves 11/09 Kevin Dougherty Total shots faced/saves 19/16 Scoring/Assists Troy Gaydosh/ unassisted Period: 1 Time: 4:29 Steven Geisel/ unasssisted Period: 2 Time: 9:54 John Ogden/ Joe Appolonia & Ryan Rivosecchi Period: 2 Time: 5:52 Lance Lewandowski/ unassisted Period: 2 Time: 3:09 John Ogden/ Joe Appolonia & TJ George Period: 3 Time: 5:33 John Ogden/ Joe Appolonia Overtime 4:31 Visiting: Peters Township Goaltenders: Mike McLean Total shots faced/saves 40/34 Scoring/Assists Colin Fawcett / Eric Zalewski Period: 1 Time 11:40 Eric Zalewski/ Colin Fawcett Period 1 Time: 4:03 Chris Papciak /Eric Zalewski Period 2 Time: 12: 51 Chris Papciak/ unassisted Period 3 Time: 10:45 Chris Papciak/ unassisted Period 3 Time: 1:33

Mars 2 Freeport 2 KITTANNING – Freeport’s hockey program has been an enigma in Class A since coming back into existence in 1995. The Yellow Jackets had only two winning season in their first 12 years of play, but in 05-06 Freeport posted a 14-7-1 mark only to be edged out by Sewickley Academy 3-2 denying the Yellow Jackets their 2nd opportunity to advance to the Penguins Cup semi-finals and their first appearance since the 2002 Serra-Freeport game which left a real sour taste in many people’s mouths. Coach Dave Hepler has a very good nucleus of returning players including the leadership of his son Zack Hepler, who established himself in the Chicago Showcase for Team Pittsburgh as one of the premier defensemen in all of Interscholastic Hockey. Throw in Patrick Spangler, Beau Zack and goaltender Tim Zahumensky and the Yellow Jackets appear to be on course to improve on their performance from a year ago. Mars is off to a 3-0 start and appears to be breathing down the necks of defending Pennsylvania Class A champions Quaker Valley’s neck ranked # 2 in the latest Pa Hockey Elite 8 poll. With wins over Bishop McCort and a convincing win over Serra Catholic, it has many in the Class A uttering that Eric Glover’s Planets will be one of those teams to consider for Penguins Cup contention. After the season’s first month, it would only be guessing at this point and their may be a few more surprise schools in the hunt come March as 8 schools will qualify and try to claim Class A’s top prize. The opening period before a very nice turnout at the Belmont was end to end action with close checking and was scoreless through the first 13 ½ minutes. Freeport would get an opportunity on the power play in the and scored with just :01 left on the clock as John Reichenbach’s shot from the left face off circle beat the Planet’s goaltender Greg Lewis to give the Yellow Jackets a 1-0 lead at the end of the opening period. Freeport came out flying in the second period and Patrick Spangler had a great chance on a breakaway with 12:06 to go but lost the handle and never got a decent shot off. Mars would have a power play with 9:10 left, but the Yellow Jackets killed it off. Shane Gallagher had an opening with 5 ½ left in the period, but his backhand would go off the side of the net, but the Jackets would get another chance with the man advantage, prompting a timeout from Mars coach Eric Glover, who sensed a key moment in this game. Glover’s strategy must have paid off at 3:19 as Mike Heltman stole the puck and sped away on the breakaway, which was stopped by Tim Zahumensky, but the Planets Jake Robash pounced on the rebound and chipped it over the Freeport goaltender to tie the game at 1-1. The Yellow Jackets took a penalty with a little over two minutes left prior to the ice cut and Mars would have a chance to take the lead. With :27 seconds to go in the second period, Mars defenseman Stephen Tracy’s slap shot found its way past the Yellow Jacket goaltender to give the Planets a 2-1 lead on a power play goal. In the third period, the pace picked up a bit as did the physical play. Mars had a good chance to widen their lead but Zahumensky stopped Robash on the backhand with 6:21 to go. A Planet’s power play with 5:33 to go went by the wayside and Freeport got another power play with :55 left and the Yellow Jackets tied the game with :07 as Shane Gallagher scored after a scramble in front of the net on a rebound. The teams battled through overtime with chances at both ends but Tim Zahumensky and Greg Lewis were equal to the task and the game ended in a 2-2 tie in a very entertaining hockey game.

South Park 2 Kittanning 1 KITTANNNING – The Kittanning hockey program earned their 500th victory in 2006 which was a monumental accomplishment and when you look at the big picture people like the Montebells, John Ford, Joe Ritchey and the recently passed George Capone are the builders who have a piece of the history of a great program with players such a Pat McCue [who was in the house tonight from Augusta, Georgia] that has been the home of many memories and very good seasons. For head coach Jon Yackmack, very good can only get better if the Wildcats take that next step and capture a Penguins Cup, which was only one step away a year ago, but the pretty big step was in the form of Pine Richland, who seems to be the main obstacle in Class AA again this season. After a 4-2 start, Kittanning will need to focus every night on the task at hand. Unfortunately for Kittanning there are many other obstacles to contend with as the Class AA chase has been joined by a herd of teams from the beginning of this season. South Park hopes to be one of those teams that would like to join in the fun this season and Ray Sabatini’s squad appears to be one of those roller coaster teams who will make this season fun to watch. A 9-8 loss to Greensburg Salem, a 4-3 win over Peters Twp and a disappointing loss 7-2 to Elizabeth Forward and a 6-4 win over Cathedral Prep in Erie has landed the Eagles at 3-2 and in Kittanning looking for a little respect and possibly an upset victory. After a physical and scoreless opening period, Kittanning started to turn up the heat in the second period and South Park goaltender Shane Bickar decided to turn this contest into a goaltending clinic early in the period. Bickar robbed Nick Troup at 7:17 from point blank range. The Eagles struck first with 5:35 remaining in the second period as Chris Ondek scored from on the rebound beating Joey Mecurio to give SP a 1-0 lead. The goal by South Park evened the playing field and put Kittanning on their heels as South Park began to attack the Wildcats. The home team started to show frustration as South Park stood with Kittanning blow for blow. With :22 seconds left in the period, the Eagles were whistled for interference behind the play, which would carry over to the final period. The Wildcats held a 22-11 advantage in shots. On to the third period and Kittanning nearly tied it with 10:17 to go as Evan Blodgett’s shot from the left point rang off the pipe. The Wildcat’s woes deepened as Nick Troup was whistled for a misconduct at the end of the 2nd period. Coupled with Joey Ford and Jurgen Koster were missing to reindeer practice [tis the season you know] with the under .500 Hornets [read the editorial for more info]. With three and a half to go Kittanning turned up their game a notch with several quick shots on Shane Bickar to no avail. Bickar robbed Colin McKelvey on a rebound with 3:03 to go and then South Park turned the pressure into a chance at the other end and Chris Ondek found the loose puck to the left of Mecurio and buried a wrist shot high over the glove hand side to give the Eagles a pretty comfortable 2-0 advantage. Interestingly, Shane Bickar played on the Mr Haney’sU-18 Hornets, but has parted ways with the Kool-Aid society and now can play for South Park. Bickar stopped McKelvey and Zack Avi from on the doorstep with a minute and a half to go. Kittanning would have a 6 on 3 for the final :45 seconds as the Eagles were whistled for being a little over agressive. Colin McKelvey finally broke the ice with :30 seconds to go with a wrist shot on the ice just inside the post. With a 6 on 3 still and 30 ticks Kittanning pressed for the equalizer but could not get it and the Eagles escaped stealing a thrilling 2-1 victory sending the stunned Kittanning faithful to the parking lot. The Wildcats outshot SP 41-16 and 19-5 in the third period.