Peters Twp Indians - 2014 AAA 2002-2003-2005 AA

I have talked to many of you in the rinks about the potential for change in the PIHL and in April there will be a slate of people who run for the office of the Executive Board. I will NOT be one of those people nor am I interested in being in any paid position, but I am consulting with this group of people as to what needs to happen to FIX the 7-year mess created by the Villans. People who say I use Pa Hockey as a forum to bash the PIHL are very misinformed and those who characterize anything I write as a rant, don’t really understand either. I will not go into a long dissertation about what’s wrong because everyone knows it, everyone complains about it and now its time to do something about it. I will not be releasing Part 2 of the Solution as that will be in the hands of the people who run for office and it has to do with one thing and that is saving people a lot of money and simplifying hockey to allow more kids to participate in hockey and potentially saving some of the programs that are dying in Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey. Remember one thing, there are NO promises and the people who are currently running the PIHL have had 7 years and have done a mediocre job at best because they are all about the money and NOT about providing a service to the member teams; The Alignment Philosiphy is simple. 1) Return Interscholastic Hockey to Class AAA, AA and A + 2) create a long term solution to allow ALL pure scholastic programs to compete for the Penguins Cup and Pennsylvania High School Hockey Championship and 3) simplify the scheduling process and reduce travel. Class AAA will be an Open Classification with the top 16 schools and schools must commit for a two (2) year period. Class AA and A will be classified by enrollment and have a cut-off of 400 using PIAA Enrollment Numbers. Below is the proposed alignment for the 2007-2008 season (Please keep in mind this scenario takes into account Solution – Part 2): PENNSYLVANIA INTERSCHOLASTIC HOCKEY LEAGUE - CLASS 'AAA' STANDINGS- ALIGNMENT PROPOSAL NORTHEAST CONFERENCE PIHL AAA EAST CENTRAL CATHOLIC 634 PIHL AAA EAST FOX CHAPEL 651 PIHL AAA EAST GATEWAY 610 PIHL AAA EAST NORTH HILLS 705 PIHL AAA EAST PENN-TRAFFORD 630 PIHL AAA EAST PINE-RICHLAND 522 PIHL AAA EAST PLUM 606 PIHL AAA EAST SHALER 798 SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE PIHL AAA WEST BALDWIN 622 PIHL AAA WEST BETHEL PARK 810 PIHL AAA WEST MCDOWELL 945 PIHL AAA WEST MEADVILLE 416 PIHL AAA WEST MT LEBANON 729 PIHL AAA WEST NORTH ALLEGHENY 1044 PIHL AAA WEST SENECA VALLEY 938 PIHL AAA WEST UPPER ST. CLAIR 571 Schedule would be 22 Games including 14 Divisional (7x2) and 8 Inter-Conference & Schools would be required to obtain 15 Ice Slots Top 8 Schools by Winning Percentage would be in the Penguins Cup Playoffs. PENNSYLVANIA INTERSCHOLASTIC HOCKEY LEAGUE - CLASS 'AA' STANDINGS- ALIGNMENT PROPOSAL NORTHEAST CONFERENCE PIHL AA LAUREL ALTOONA 974 PIHL AA LAUREL GREENSBURG C C 214 PIHL AA LAUREL GREENSBURG SALEM 475 PIHL AA LAUREL HEMPFIELD 812 PIHL AA LAUREL HOLIDAYSBURG 532 PIHL AA LAUREL INDIANA 422 PIHL AA LAUREL LATROBE 555 PIHL AA LAUREL STATE COLLEGE 1264 PIHL AA EAST BUTLER 1044 PIHL AA EAST CONNELLSVILLE 757 PIHL AA EAST FRANKLIN REGIONAL 514 PIHL AA EAST HAMPTON 399 PIHL AA EAST KISKI AREA 588 PIHL AA EAST KITTANNING 311 PIHL AA EAST NORWIN 653 PIHL AA EAST WOODLAND HILLS 779 SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE PIHL AA SOUTH ALLDERDICE 709 PIHL AA SOUTH CANON MCMILLAN 581 PIHL AA SOUTH CARRICK 551 PIHL AA SOUTH ELIZABETH FORWARD 389 PIHL AA SOUTH PETERS TOWNSHIP 534 PIHL AA SOUTH RINGGOLD 468 PIHL AA SOUTH SOUTH PARK 332 PIHL AA SOUTH THOMAS JEFFERSON 401 PIHL AA WEST AMBRIDGE 424 PIHL AA WEST CANEVIN 168 PIHL AA WEST CATHEDRAL PREP 440 PIHL AA WEST CHARTIERS VALLEY 467 PIHL AA WEST MONTOUR 436 PIHL AA WEST MOON 488 PIHL AA WEST TRINITY 467 PIHL AA WEST WEST ALLEGHENY 415 Schedule would be 22 Games including 14 Divisional (7x2) and 8 Conference & Schools would be required to obtain 15 Ice Slots Top 16 Schools (8 in each conference and play cross bracket by winning percentage) by Winning Percentage would be in the Penguins Cup Playoffs. STANDINGS- ALIGNMENT PROPOSAL 2007-2008 SEASON NORTHEAST CONFERENCE PIHL A EAST BISHOP MCCORT 189 PIHL A EAST CONEMAUGH VALLEY 107 PIHL A EAST FERNDALE 85 PIHL A EAST JOHNSTOWN 391 PIHL A EAST WESTMONT-HILLTOP 268 PIHL A EAST WINDBER ?? PIHL A LAUREL BISHOP GUILFOYLE 135 PIHL A LAUREL DERRY 366 PIHL A LAUREL FOREST HILLS 337 PIHL A LAUREL LIGONIER VALLEY 376 PIHL A LAUREL RICHLAND-CAMBRIA 209 PIHL A LAUREL SOMERSET 376 SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE PIHL A SOUTH DEER LAKES 257 PIHL A SOUTH FREEPORT 260 PIHL A SOUTH KNOCH 384 PIHL A SOUTH MARS 319 PIHL A SOUTH SERRA CATHOLIC 103 PIHL A SOUTH VALLEY 277 PIHL A WEST BEAVER 285 PIHL A WEST CENTER 267 PIHL A WEST QUAKER VALLEY 224 PIHL A WEST QUIGLEY 58 PIHL A WEST SEWICKLEY ACADEMY 115 PIHL A WEST STEEL VALLEY 316 Schedule would be 21 Games including 15 Divisional (5x3) and 6 Conference & Schools would be required to obtain 15 Ice Slots Top 12 Schools (6 in each conference and play cross bracket by winning percentage) by Winning Percentage would be in the Penguins Cup Playoffs. Division Winners would receive a bye and be re-seeded by Winning Percentage in Round 2

Indiana 3 Kittanning 2 [OT] INDIANA – On the final night of the regular season, it is usually a tradition for Kittanning (8-13-1) to be preparing itself for a playoff run in Class AA and when the Wildcats made the homage down route 422 tonight, they were doing so to play for one reason or another, but most importantly for the crest on the front of the jersey. Kittanning has been to the playoffs for 9 out of the past ten years including Penguins Cup finals in 2003 and a year ago. For Head Coach Jon Yackmack, this was to be a season to build on the performance of a year ago, which was a tremendous overachievement, when each and every player who pulled the jersey over their head and shoulders gave their undivided attention to helping the Red and White reach the promised land, which fell one step short in the Penguins Cup to Pine Richland at Mellon Arena. Injuries to key players, along with a lack of commitment from players expected to lead the way [which became significant distractions] this season have landed the Wildcats out of the playoffs and to their first losing season since 1996. So the season that was to be isn’t and the Boys from the Belmont must build toward the future. Indiana (9-11-1) is the team and the Indiana Ice Center is the home ice that almost wasn’t a year ago and the future was much in doubt for a program with 13 consecutive winning seasons with 7 straight Penguins Cup playoff appearances. S& T Bank stepped up this season and gave the rink, formally known as the HOKS [House of King Samuel after long-time IUP and Indiana Hockey staple], financial stability and a future for HIS, IUP and the Indiana Youth programs. Indiana has been a world beater in this building over the years and has knocked off a nice resume of opponents including # 2 Latrobe, # 4 Franklin Regional and # 6 Montour, but tonight they will need a victory to slide into the playoffs as the 12th and final team in Class AA and win a victory would move on to face Montour sometime next week. With a loss, the Indians fall peril to a tiebreaker with South Park at 9-12-1, that is the best kept secret since the Colonel’s Special KFC recipe and not known to the average fan. Since South Park defeated Indiana, conventional wisdom would let one believe they would get the final spot or possibly decide it with a play-in game, but not in Gotham City, where the unknown is a way of life. Before a raucious standing room only crowd including the 06-07 version of the ‘Hockey Hooligans’ of I.H.S. Indiana struck first at 12:14 as Jonathon Ogden roofed a rebound of Joe Appolonia shot past a helpless Joey Mecurio for a 1-0 lead. With 2:46 to go in the opening period, Joe Appolonia found a loose puck to the right of Mecurio and made no mistake giving Indiana a 2-0 lead. Kittanning made its 8th shot of the game count with just :04.7 left to cut the lead to 2-1, as Evan Blodgett scored on a rebound in front of Kevin Dougherty. Shots were 16-8 in favor of the Indians. With 9:26 to go in the 2nd, Nick Troup undressed the Indiana defeseman and just missed on a backhand high over rhe crossbar. Kittanning went on the power play with 4:43 to go with a chance to tie the game, which grew to a one minute 5 on 3 at 3:42 for a full minute.and without too much of an attack Indiana was successful in killing it off. With :48 seconds to go Mecurio made a nice stop on # 16. Shots in the second period was 7-6 in favor of Indiana. On to the third period and with Indiana needing a win to ensure a playoff spot. Mecurio robbed Apolonia with a sprawling save at 12:03 and Kittanning came right back down the ice and tied the game with 11:47 to go as Zack Avi took a perfect feed from Nick Troup for an easy goal and a 2-2 deadlock. Kittanning would get an opportunity at 9:33 to take the lead on the power play and as Indiana killed the first penalty, they were assessed another at 7:33. Then Kittanning took a penalty at 6:45 to even things up. Joey Mecurio made a nice stop on Appolonia at 6:25 to keep the score tied. Nick Troup raced the length of the ice and was semi hauled down and nothing was called and no goal resulted. Moments later, with 4:35 to play Kittanning was whistled for a holding call giving the Indians an opportunity to take the lead. Joe Appolonia almost converted as he fished through the legs of the Wildcat defense, but Mecurio made the save. With 2:05 to go Indiana was called for goaltender interference and the Wildcats would have a chance to go ahead, but could not score sending the game to overtime. With 2:35 to go in OT, all that stood between Jonathon Ogden and a goal was the puck and the post and he could not get the handle. Moments later with 1:58 remaining in OT, TJ George kept the puck in the zone and Jay Pettina spotted a streaking Joe Appolonia who buried a shot between the 5-hole giving Indiana a thrilling 3-2 overtime win and a trip to the playoffs next week and sends South Park along with Kittanning home for the playoffs.

Knights Pull Stunner By JOSH STROPE Riding a wave of momentum, Wheeling Central went into WesBanco Arena and won its first West Virginia State Hockey Championship with a 6-3 victory against Morgantown on Wednesday. G.T. Blass finished as the game’s Most Valuable Player, scoring a hat trick to lead the Maroon Knights to the title. Fourth-seeded Wheeling Central took the hard route to claim the title, beating John Marshall in the opening game, followed by upsetting top-seeded Wheeling Park, before defeating the second-seed Mohawks. It was Tuesday’s victory against the Patriots that gave Wheeling Central the confidence it needed. ‘‘Beating Park was a big help, and there’s nothing more you can ask for than beating Park,’’ Blass said. “That’s our city rival, a great team the whole year. ‘‘We just worked hard, played our best, and came out with a W.’’ Much like the game against Park, Wheeling Central wasted no time getting on the scoreboard and letting Morgantown know it was there to win. After a pass across the goalmouth was deflected by a Mohawks defender, Blass found himself all alone and backhanded the puck through the legs of Morgantown goalkeeper Parker Lawrence a little more than two minutes in. Later in the first, with Morgantown on a power play, Shane Garan stuck out his stick and raced down the ice. Teammate Ryan Herron was beside him as the Maroon Knights found themselves on a two-on-none breakaway. Morgantown defenders caught up with Garan, but he was able to get the puck to Herron who finished for the shorthanded goal and a 2-0 Wheeling Central advantage. Morgantown was able to cut the lead in half on its next power play chance as Ryan David picked up a rebound and scored past Wheeling Central netminder Tommy Pie. But much like the first period, Wheeling Central scored early in the second to regain its two-goal advantage as Geno Catalano beat Lawrence gloveside for a 3-1 lead. The Mohawks responded two minutes later with a goal by Alexander Theeke. Theeke took a shot from the blue line that Pie couldn’t see, and the puck trickled past. ‘‘The second goal was rolling on the end, and I didn’t get a good look at it,’’ Pie said. But before Pie could let the goal get into his head, Blass scored his second goal of the game. Wheeling Central immediately went on the power play and Blass backhanded another goal as Wheeling Central went up 4-2 just 48 seconds after Morgantown once again closed the gap. ‘‘They picked me up right away and that was great. I thanked them,’’ Pie said. And in what became a familiar pattern, Wheeling Central scored 31 seconds into the final period as Blass netted his third goal and seemingly the Maroon Knights’ first title. ‘‘After every period, it’s tough coming off and having the zamboni come out,’’ Blass said. ‘‘You get kind of stiff, but you just got to come out with the same intensity every period, and it’s really important to get that first goal in the beginning of every period to set the tone.’’ Morgantown’s best chance to get back in the game came midway through the third period as the Mohawks had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:30. But Pie came up big, and the Maroon Knights defenders laid some big hits to kill off both penalties. Pie, whose nerves were at a high the day before, was more calm and collected and it showed, stopping 30 shots. ‘‘After beating Park, everything went down,’’ Pie said. ‘‘I was able to play my best out there.’’ Herron scored an empty-net goal, and Morgantown’s Ryan Wise scored a late tally to conclude the scoring. “It feels great. I can’t even explain it,’’ Blass said. Added Pie: “It’s the best feeling ever.’’ W.Va. State Hockey Championships Final (at WesBanco Arena) Wheeling Central 6, Morgantown 3 W — Goals: Blass 3, Herron 2, Catalano; Assists: Garan 3, Grubler 2, Herron, Taylor, Stahl. Goalkeeper: Pie (30 saves); M — Goals: David, Theeke, Wise; Assists: Adams, Arthurs, David, Taylor; Goalkeeper: Lawrence (22 saves).

Indiana 3 Kittanning 2 [OT] INDIANA – On the final night of the regular season, it is usually a tradition for Kittanning (8-13-1) to be preparing itself for a playoff run in Class AA and when the Wildcats made the homage down route 422 tonight, they were doing so to play for one reason or another, but most importantly for the crest on the front of the jersey. Kittanning has been to the playoffs for 9 out of the past ten years including Penguins Cup finals in 2003 and a year ago. For Head Coach Jon Yackmack, this was to be a season to build on the performance of a year ago, which was a tremendous overachievement, when each and every player who pulled the jersey over their head and shoulders gave their undivided attention to helping the Red and White reach the promised land, which fell one step short in the Penguins Cup to Pine Richland at Mellon Arena. Injuries to key players, along with a lack of commitment from players expected to lead the way [which became significant distractions] this season have landed the Wildcats out of the playoffs and to their first losing season since 1996. So the season that was to be isn’t and the Boys from the Belmont must build toward the future. Indiana (9-11-1) is the team and the Indiana Ice Center is the home ice that almost wasn’t a year ago and the future was much in doubt for a program with 13 consecutive winning seasons with 7 straight Penguins Cup playoff appearances. S& T Bank stepped up this season and gave the rink, formally known as the HOKS [House of King Samuel after long-time IUP and Indiana Hockey staple], financial stability and a future for HIS, IUP and the Indiana Youth programs. Indiana has been a world beater in this building over the years and has knocked off a nice resume of opponents including # 2 Latrobe, # 4 Franklin Regional and # 6 Montour, but tonight they will need a victory to slide into the playoffs as the 12th and final team in Class AA and win a victory would move on to face Montour sometime next week. With a loss, the Indians fall peril to a tiebreaker with South Park at 9-12-1, that is the best kept secret since the Colonel’s Special KFC recipe and not known to the average fan. Since South Park defeated Indiana, conventional wisdom would let one believe they would get the final spot or possibly decide it with a play-in game, but not in Gotham City, where the unknown is a way of life. Before a raucious standing room only crowd including the 06-07 version of the ‘Hockey Hooligans’ of I.H.S. Indiana struck first at 12:14 as Jonathon Ogden roofed a rebound of Joe Appolonia shot past a helpless Joey Mecurio for a 1-0 lead. With 2:46 to go in the opening period, Joe Appolonia found a loose puck to the right of Mecurio and made no mistake giving Indiana a 2-0 lead. Kittanning made its 8th shot of the game count with just :04.7 left to cut the lead to 2-1, as Evan Blodgett scored on a rebound in front of Kevin Dougherty. Shots were 16-8 in favor of the Indians. With 9:26 to go in the 2nd, Nick Troup undressed the Indiana defeseman and just missed on a backhand high over rhe crossbar. Kittanning went on the power play with 4:43 to go with a chance to tie the game, which grew to a one minute 5 on 3 at 3:42 for a full minute.and without too much of an attack Indiana was successful in killing it off. With :48 seconds to go Mecurio made a nice stop on # 16. Shots in the second period was 7-6 in favor of Indiana. On to the third period and with Indiana needing a win to ensure a playoff spot. Mecurio robbed Apolonia with a sprawling save at 12:03 and Kittanning came right back down the ice and tied the game with 11:47 to go as Zack Avi took a perfect feed from Nick Troup for an easy goal and a 2-2 deadlock. Kittanning would get an opportunity at 9:33 to take the lead on the power play and as Indiana killed the first penalty, they were assessed another at 7:33. Then Kittanning took a penalty at 6:45 to even things up. Joey Mecurio made a nice stop on Appolonia at 6:25 to keep the score tied. Nick Troup raced the length of the ice and was semi hauled down and nothing was called and no goal resulted. Moments later, with 4:35 to play Kittanning was whistled for a holding call giving the Indians an opportunity to take the lead. Joe Appolonia almost converted as he fished through the legs of the Wildcat defense, but Mecurio made the save. With 2:05 to go Indiana was called for goaltender interference and the Wildcats would have a chance to go ahead, but could not score sending the game to overtime. With 2:35 to go in OT, all that stood between Jonathon Ogden and a goal was the puck and the post and he could not get the handle. Moments later with 1:58 remaining in OT, TJ George kept the puck in the zone and Jay Pettina spotted a streaking Joe Appolonia who buried a shot between the 5-hole giving Indiana a thrilling 3-2 overtime win and a trip to the playoffs next week and sends South Park along with Kittanning home for the playoffs.

Knights Pull Stunner By JOSH STROPE Riding a wave of momentum, Wheeling Central went into WesBanco Arena and won its first West Virginia State Hockey Championship with a 6-3 victory against Morgantown on Wednesday. G.T. Blass finished as the game’s Most Valuable Player, scoring a hat trick to lead the Maroon Knights to the title. Fourth-seeded Wheeling Central took the hard route to claim the title, beating John Marshall in the opening game, followed by upsetting top-seeded Wheeling Park, before defeating the second-seed Mohawks. It was Tuesday’s victory against the Patriots that gave Wheeling Central the confidence it needed. ‘‘Beating Park was a big help, and there’s nothing more you can ask for than beating Park,’’ Blass said. “That’s our city rival, a great team the whole year. ‘‘We just worked hard, played our best, and came out with a W.’’ Much like the game against Park, Wheeling Central wasted no time getting on the scoreboard and letting Morgantown know it was there to win. After a pass across the goalmouth was deflected by a Mohawks defender, Blass found himself all alone and backhanded the puck through the legs of Morgantown goalkeeper Parker Lawrence a little more than two minutes in. Later in the first, with Morgantown on a power play, Shane Garan stuck out his stick and raced down the ice. Teammate Ryan Herron was beside him as the Maroon Knights found themselves on a two-on-none breakaway. Morgantown defenders caught up with Garan, but he was able to get the puck to Herron who finished for the shorthanded goal and a 2-0 Wheeling Central advantage. Morgantown was able to cut the lead in half on its next power play chance as Ryan David picked up a rebound and scored past Wheeling Central netminder Tommy Pie. But much like the first period, Wheeling Central scored early in the second to regain its two-goal advantage as Geno Catalano beat Lawrence gloveside for a 3-1 lead. The Mohawks responded two minutes later with a goal by Alexander Theeke. Theeke took a shot from the blue line that Pie couldn’t see, and the puck trickled past. ‘‘The second goal was rolling on the end, and I didn’t get a good look at it,’’ Pie said. But before Pie could let the goal get into his head, Blass scored his second goal of the game. Wheeling Central immediately went on the power play and Blass backhanded another goal as Wheeling Central went up 4-2 just 48 seconds after Morgantown once again closed the gap. ‘‘They picked me up right away and that was great. I thanked them,’’ Pie said. And in what became a familiar pattern, Wheeling Central scored 31 seconds into the final period as Blass netted his third goal and seemingly the Maroon Knights’ first title. ‘‘After every period, it’s tough coming off and having the zamboni come out,’’ Blass said. ‘‘You get kind of stiff, but you just got to come out with the same intensity every period, and it’s really important to get that first goal in the beginning of every period to set the tone.’’ Morgantown’s best chance to get back in the game came midway through the third period as the Mohawks had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:30. But Pie came up big, and the Maroon Knights defenders laid some big hits to kill off both penalties. Pie, whose nerves were at a high the day before, was more calm and collected and it showed, stopping 30 shots. ‘‘After beating Park, everything went down,’’ Pie said. ‘‘I was able to play my best out there.’’ Herron scored an empty-net goal, and Morgantown’s Ryan Wise scored a late tally to conclude the scoring. “It feels great. I can’t even explain it,’’ Blass said. Added Pie: “It’s the best feeling ever.’’ W.Va. State Hockey Championships Final (at WesBanco Arena) Wheeling Central 6, Morgantown 3 W — Goals: Blass 3, Herron 2, Catalano; Assists: Garan 3, Grubler 2, Herron, Taylor, Stahl. Goalkeeper: Pie (30 saves); M — Goals: David, Theeke, Wise; Assists: Adams, Arthurs, David, Taylor; Goalkeeper: Lawrence (22 saves).