Chartiers Valley Colts - 1986 AA

3/22/04 ~ Serra Eagles do it again… over who else but McCort PITTSBURGH – The year 1999 was only 5 years ago, must seem like eternity for Bishop McCort head coach John Bradley. You see, that was the year that the Crimson Crushers defeated Archbishop Ryan 9-3 at the Grundy Arena in Bristol, Pa. As over 1000 fans traveled over 5 hours by bus to witness the first # 8 seed in playoff history win the Pennsylvania High School Hockey Class A Championship. McCort has 13 straight playoff appearances including 5 State Championships, a 306 – 124 – 15 record over 19 seasons and probably the most staggering statistic is that the Crimson Crushers have been to the Penguins Cup semi-final round 12 out of 13 years and the Penguins Cup finals nine of those years. For most Interscholastic Hockey programs, these figure are in another planet, but for the Red, Gold and White from Johnstown, their measurement is justified in one way and that is the last game of the season is the one they want the most and for Bishop McCort, the last four years have been in the form of a loss to the Serra Catholic Eagles. It all started back in the 1995-96 season, as John and Tom Mooney took the reigns at Serra and played in the WPIHL East Division and took a beating at the hands of the Johnstown teams for a 6-13-0 record. The move to the SHIHL in 1996-97 brought new life to the Serra program as the team moved from the Golden Mile to the Rostraver Ice Garden and a great improvement to 10-10-2. It was the 1998-99 year that the Eagles first started to make their move in Class A with a close battle with defending State Class A champions Seton LaSalle for the SHIHL title and their first playoff appearance in six years. The next season would start one of the most prolific runs in State playoff history as the Eagles would go all the way beating defending State Champions Bishop McCort in the 2000 Penguins Cup finals at the Erie Civic Center and then Flyers Cup champion Pennsbury 3-1 at the Civic Arena for their first Pennsylvania Class A championship. In 2001, Serra defeated Bishop McCort at the War Memorial in a wild affair before over 1500 fans 6-3 and went on to win the State Championship over Springfield, with a 5-4 comeback victory and a coming out of sorts for a freshman goaltender named Timmy Johnson. In 2002, Johnson shut out the Crimson Crushers again at the Mellon Arena 3-0 and then the Eagles defeated a very good Radnor team in my opinion the best Class A finals ever 5-4 at the Rostraver Ice Garden on a late goal by Devon Kane and another outstanding performance by Timmy Johnson, who held Radnor off the board with several spectacular saves. In 2003, Serra made it four years in a row over McCort in the Penguins Cup semi-finals, but fell to Westmont-Hilltop 4-3 in the Class Penguins Cup at Neville Island. So like we haven’t had enough, here we are back again for round 5 of the Serra – Bishop McCort playoff saga. The Crimson Crushers came out stormin in the first period with a 6-0 shot advantage. Serra went on the power play, but McCort’s Joe Delic stripped the Eagle defenseman of the puck and proceeded to move in and beat Timmy Johnson between the legs for a 1-0 Crusher lead at 7:20. The Eagles got their first shot on goal at 6:42 and then Justin Lubasch took advantage of a non-call in the McCort zone, as a Crusher was hauled down, and beat Ron Stenger with a blistering wrist shot high to the glove side to tie the game at one apiece. Serra apparently scored at 5:50 but the goal was waved off due to the net being dislodged as Tony Duco’s goal would not count. On the next shift, Serra would take the lead as Ray Gillis scored on the backhand after some great work down low by Joey Manning and Lubasch at 5:11. The Crimson Crushers would come back at the one- minute mark on the power play as Joe Delic got his own rebound and beat a sprawling Johnson to tie the game at 2-2. On to the second period and McCort had a golden opportunity to take the lead but Ryan Noone made an all-world defensive play knocking the puck off of Chris Grady’s stick at 11:26, who had a wide open net after a great pass from Delic. The teams were jockeying for territorial position and the Crimson Crushers looked to be finding their game. One thing we need to remember is that the Eagles always find a way when it come to Bishop McCort and Timmy Johnson would stop all eight Crusher shots in the second and Justin Lubasch would provide the killer goal. McCort got a little sloppy in their defensive coverage and Lubasch made them pay as he found a loose puck on the doorstep and roofed it up over a fallen Ron Stenger at 6:47 and Serra had the lead 3-2. On the next shift and 13 seconds later it would be a great play by last weeks hero Philip Ivkovich to keep the puck in the zone on a bad Crusher clearing attempt, a great presence by Tony Duco to throw the puck toward the net and a streaking Steve Gruhalla to deposit a shot into the empty net for a 4-2 Serra lead and sending Bishop McCort to the locker room and possibly to the bus back to Johnstown. The third period was an exercise of Serra just holding off McCort, getting the puck deep and frustrating the Crimson Crushers. Although McCort had 10 shots all of the frustration would end at 3:27 when a Crusher shot trickled past Timmy Johnson and laid on the goal line for what seemed like five years probably to the McCort players, fans and head coach John Bradley. ‘No Goal’ said goal judge Paul Plinta, ‘No Goal’ said Referee Dave Donatelli, ‘No Goal’ said PA announcer Bob Sebastian as the McCort players could just sit and watch and Serra and Timmy Johnson just said ‘No Goal’ in a big way and when Joey Manning buried a wrist shot 14 seconds later to make it 5-2 at 3:13, it was a time to celebrate as Serra was off to its 5th consecutive Penguins Cup sending the Crimson Crushers packing for the 5th year in a row. When seldom used players Alex Bulischeck and Matt Radovic hit the ice for Serra in the games final minute, Timmy Johnson took a little victory lap around the Mellon Arena ice and bang his stick on the ice to let McCort know that Serra Catholic will go on to meet Somerset in the 2004 Penguins Cup final on March 28 at noon at the Mellon Arena.

Team Pittsburgh and Team Philadelphia will participate in the 2004 Chicago Showcase celebrating its 20th year. The Showcase will be played April 14-18, 2004 in Chiacgo, Illinois. Team Pittsburgh [ A Pool] Schedule Wed 4/14 ~ North Dakota 4 Pittsburgh 2 Highlights: Peters Twp Chris Clackson and Shady Side's John Mortimer score as Team Pgh loses close one with ENG. Meadville's Danny O'Sharuk stops 31 of 34 North Dakota shots. Thurs 4/15 ~ Minnesota 9 Pittsburgh 2 Highlights: Quaker Valley's Ben Herring & SHady Side's John Mortimer score as Team Pittsburgh falls to Minnesota Fri 4/16 ~ Pittsburgh 11 Indiana 1 Highlights: Team Pittsburgh scores five power play goals as Penn Hill's Ryan Jones, Mt Lebanon's Bill Leckenby, TJ's Luke Wawrzeniak, and Steel Valley's Anthony Bonacorsco each score two goals. Peter's Chris Clackson adds 3 assists and Timmy Johnson stops 19 of 20 shots. North Hill's Tyler Cummings, Central's Eddie Martin and Andrew Wroblewski also score. Sat 4/17 ~ Colorado 7 Pittsburgh 2 Highlights: Ryan Jones and Chad Uddstrom score as Pittsburgh finishes Chicago Showcase 1-3-0 for the first time since 1996 Team Philadelphia [C Pool] Schedule Wed 4/14 ~ Connecticut 8 Philadelphia 2 Highlights: Boyertown's Greg Herneisen and Hempfield's Steve Stack as team Philadelphia drops Game 1 Thurs 4/15 ~ Florida 5 Philadelphia 1 Highlights: Abington's Eric Tufman scores lone Philly goal in loss to Florida Fri 4/16 ~ Philadelphia 10 Team Northwest 0 Highlights: James Santacroce of North Penn turns back 22 shots and Abington's Eric Tufman has a goal and 5 assists in a rout of Northwest. Ian Windle of Downingtown and Christopher Brogan of Hershey add a pair of goals apiece, while Sean Guenther, C.J. Schneider, Stephen Klenk, Tom Mergen and Matt Koelzer add single scores. Sat 4/17 ~ Philadelphia 4 Team South 3 Highlights: Team Philly rallies from 3-1 deficit in the 3rd period as Downingtown's Ian Windle scores at 13:37, Abington's Eric Tufman ties it with 4:44 left and Abington's Justin Schorr scores the game winner with 2:23 left. Tufman assisted on the 2nd goal and the game winner.

In 2004-2005, Robert Morris University will bring the FIRST NCAA Division 1 Hockey program to Western Pennsylvania. Earlier this year, the University purchased the Island Sports Center on Neville Island. The Colonials have joined the NCAA Division 1 CHL. Robert Morris University Head Coach Derek Schooley brings plenty of experience and has made a great committment to development of players from right here in Western Pa.....so we need to show our support for the Robert Morris program by having a big turnout for this event ! Other Junior A and NCAA Collegiate programs attendings will be: Niagara University (CHUMS), UMASS-Lowell (Hockey East), Mercyhurst(Atlantic Hockey), SUNY-Brockport (Division 3), Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL), Youngstown Phantoms (NAHL), Toledo Icediggers (NAHL), Penn State (ACHA Division 1 National Champions) and of course, Robert Morris University. This is a great opportunity for ALL players in Western Pennsylvania to experience an opportunity to see what it takes to advance to a higher level in Junior A or Collegiate Hockey. So don't miss out on this opportunity and click on the Robert Morris logo to see the attached brochure [BY CLICK ON TITLE ABOVE] or contact Derek Schooley at Robert Morris University at 412-269-4477!

Penguins Cup Elite 8 Quarter Finals Results AAA Mt Lebanon 3 Bethel Park 0 Highlights: Chad Uddstrom with a pair & Matt Vaughn with the shutout as # 1 Blue Devils march on ***GAME SUMMARY IS NOW AVAILABLE *** Meadville 3 Butler 2 Highlights: David Moyer scores at 13:12 to break a 1-1 ties & Luke Killmeyer's goal with 12:12 remaining turns out to be the game winner as Meadville staves off rally by Butler and great goaltending performance by Bucky Holt, who stops 34 of 37 Bulldog shots. B.J. Tipton scores both Butler goals. Upper St Clair 8 Fox Chapel 2 Highlights: Davy Crockett scores four goals & Mike Penkrot with a goal & 3 assists as Panthers move on to the Penguins Cup semis for the first time since 2000 Central Catholic 2 North Allegheny 1 Highlights: Matt Urso's goal with :06 left in the 2nd period is the game winner as Central moves on to play Meadville for the 6th time in 7 years. Great crowd on hand at Harmarville in a tremendous playoff hockey game. ***GAME SUMMARY IS NOW AVAILABLE *** AA Thomas Jefferson 7 Greensburg CC 0 Highlights: Luke Wawrzeniak and Brandon School with a pair each as Brock Heinauer, Zach Hanbury & Gary Bucci add singles as Jaguars pummel Jake Genes with 54 shots, while Danny Hartman picks up shutout facing only 15. Peters Twp 4 South Park 1 Highlights: Chris Clackson with a pair and Si Bishop & Jake Della Velle score singles for Indians. Shane Frey is nearly perfect as he stops all but a SP penalty shot for Time Ryan. Kittanning 5 Montour 2 Highlights: Michael Mecurio breaks a 2-2 tie with 8 1/2 left in regulation for the Wildcats. Shane Troup adds a pair for Kittanning, who outshoot Montour 46-17. Ross Polk with a pair for the Spartans. Indiana 2 Pine Richland 1 Highlights: Corey Mills scores with 7:02 remaining in regulation to put Indiana ahead. Mike Mentch stops 24 PR shots for the victory. ***GAME SUMMARY IS NOW AVAILABLE*** A Bishop McCort 7 Richland Cambria 0 Highlights: Matt Belskey with a pair & ROn Stenger with the shutout for the Crimson Crushers Somerset 4 Sewickley Academy 0 Highlights: Matt Rouch, Cullen Eddy, Erik DiLoreto & Jordan Woy score for Somerset & Wes Cramer picks up the shutout with 22 saves as Eagles advance to PC semi-finals for the 1st time ever. Quaker Valley 6 Forest Hills 0 Highlights: Jed Michael stops 33 FH shots and Furman South picks up the heat trick as QV moves on to the Semis for the 1st time Serra Catholic 4 Blackhawk 2 Highlights: Philip Ivkovich scores go ahead goal for Eagles with 8:21 remaining & Timmy Johnson is outstanding stopping 43 shots ***GAME SUMMARY IS NOW AVAILABLE ***

HARMARVILLE – Central Catholic coach Kevin Zielmanski has been preaching to his defensemen to play a little more conservatively over the past month of the regular season. The ability of the Vikings to play simple hockey and let their talented group of forwards decide their fate is a pretty good strategy, but those talented forwards would have to move the puck to their teammates to be effective and score goals. In the opening round victory over McDowell, CC did just that scoring 6 goals on route to a 6-2 win. North Allegheny, on the other hand, is still working on moving to the next level with their program. If you ask Tom Pandolfo what that means, he will probably cite the environment which is now acceptable to be a North Allegheny hockey player, which he has done a marvelous job with across the board and secondly, and more importantly, understanding the process of the five game grind necessary to win the ultimate goal, a Class AAA Pennsylvania State Championship. The intangible in all of this is that close games are won and lost sometimes by a good or bad bounce, a show of discipline or undiscipline or the balance of momentum in a game. NA and Central split their two meetings, with the Tigers defeating the Vikings in the Central Catholic Invitational 4-2 and Central returning the favor a week or so later in the regular season 4-1. North Allegheny was the aggressor in the opening minutes, but was whistled for an undisciplined retaliation penalty at 12:41. With the Vikings on the power play, Chris Urso had a golden opportunity to give CC the lead, but Jeff Kristan made a diving save at 12:27. Joe Smarto had a shorthanded opportunity at 11:28, as Russ Hefner wandered out of his crease, leaving a wide open net for Smarto, but the usually sure handed NA forward watched as his shot fluttered wide and the game remained scoreless. As it always seem to happen, the Vikings stuck shortly thereafter, as Matt Grabowski found a streaking Eddie Martin behind the Tiger defense And Martin buried a wrist shot low to the glove side at 11:08 for a 1-0 Central lead. The game remained a slim one goal advantage for the Vikings and stay that way as Jeff Kristan made a nice glove save on Martin at 10:27 of the 2nd period. Then it was NA’s chance as Billy Weiler walked the puck through the slot and chipped over Russ Hefner and looked like a tie game, but it had a little too much English on it and made a wild right bounce just wide of the open net… welcome to the school of playoff bad bounces 101. Weiler would get a second chance at 5:56 as he gathered a rebound of a Matt Zrebiec shot and beat Russ Hefner and tie the game at one apiece. Central tried to regained the lead as Chris Urso made a nifty move after a great pas by Bill Freyvogal, but the shot sailed just wide at 4:43. The playoffs are sometimes about players seizing the opportunity to change the momentum of the game. Matt Urso found a loose puck along the far boards courtesy of Billy Connelly and walked it to the net and beat Kristan on the forehand with just 6 seconds left in the second period to give Central a big goal and the lead 2-1 at the end of two. North Allegheny had several chances in the third period but Russ Hefner came up big with a glove save on Bryan Maloney at 6:30 and a stop on Joe Smarto in traffic with 4:52 left in regulation. Central would hold on and for the 6th time in seven years the Vikings will face Meadville, where their season started in November and hopes to continue next Wednesday at the Mellon Arena.