Upper St. Clair Panthers - 1980 - 1987 - 2011 AAA

AAA

Ø  North Allegheny (15-4-2) appears to be the favorites of the 2013 Penguins Cup AAA and has been for the 17 weeks of the 2013-13 Season. The Tigers are geared more for the 17 minute periods more than any team in the playoffs with balance, defense and timely scoring.  

Ø  Peters Township (17-4-0) is red hot and has been AAA’s best team in the 2^nd half of the regular season. The Indians have front end closers led by Trevor Rectenwald and goaltending if Brian Baker and appears poised for a run at the title.  

Ø  Bethel Park (16-5-0) is the defending champions and owns a lot of close victories over Penguins Cup contenders. Chris Siak and Derek Lesnak will lead the charge and will likely have to beat both NA and PT to accomplish their goal.    

Ø  Canon McMillan (11-6-4) has more offensive firepower than any AAA team and if they find defensive hockey and goaltending can go on a run to win the Penguins Cup

Ø  State College (14-7-0) is a red hot team with 50 goal scorer Stefan Horgos and the question is can the Little Lions overcome travel and the field to achieve a Penguins Cup for the first time.

Ø  Seneca Valley (14-6-1) is back in the Penguins Cup fold led by the goaltending of Tanner Pfeffer and is an interesting darkhorse in a strong field.

AA

Ø  Canevin (16-1-2) owns wins over Latrobe and Pine Richland this season in between an excellent season and the Crusaders three lines and no frills play is very strong for 51 minutes making them an interesting favorite.

Ø  Pine Richland (14-4-1) has logged into the 2^nd favorite of the Class AA Field with depth and scoring tandum of Dillon Kessy and Zach Richey who seem unstoppable for opponents.

Ø  Latrobe (16-3-0) has goaltending of Shane Brudnock and scoring of Josh Singley, Brendan Johns and Dalton Hunter and the question is the depth to go the distance in the playoff over 3 games.

Ø  Chartiers Valley (14-4-1) like Latrobe has great goaltending of Noah Stevenson and scoring with Anthony Franks and Cullen McMahon and will need its depth to shine in the playoffs to win it.  

A

Ø  Quaker Valley (22-0-0) is the defending State Champions and has not looked back with depth, goaltending and balanced scoring and for the Quakers to lose along the way will be a major upset.

Ø  Mars (17-3-1) is clearly the 2^nd best team in Class A and will need to concentrate on getting a 3^rd shot at QV as the field is capable of beating the Planets.

Ø  Freeport (16-5-1) has a Hepler and goaltending and scoring like 2007, but I am not sure they can surprise Quaker Valley, but could be a team who gets a shot at them in the PC Final

Ø  Westmont Hilltop (14-7-1) is a team that has beaten some very good teams in 12-13 and may be a year away from the Penguins Cup, but if the Hilltoppers play well who knows.

Ø  Kittanning (13-8-1) has a goaltender in Cam Langham who can steal games and scoring duo of Christian Miller and Hunter Grafton and will need them to produce to have a shot

Salesianium 7 Roman Catholic 5 Highlights: Salesianium builds 7-0 lead and holds off five goal rally in the 3rd period [all 5 goals by Wilson]. Bryson with 2G1A for Roman Catholic.  

Holy Ghost Prep 11 Archbishop Carroll 0 Highlights: Kevin Clifton with Hat Trick and Dylan Cerebe with 2 G 3 A for Firebirds in Flyers Cup opener

Father Judge 5 Cardinal O'Hara 3 Highlights: Guy Roby with 1 G 2 A and Michael Gibson with a pair for Crusaders

LaSalle 11 Salesianium 1 Highlights: Jaquay with HT and Romano with 1 G 3 A as Explorers roll to Semis

Malvern Prep 3 St Joseph's Prep 2 OT Highlights: Porkka scores at 9:47 of OT to help Friars advance to Semis