When the Zamboni is gassed up and the skates are sharpened, it can only mean one thing -- the high school hockey teams of the PIHL are ready to get back to regular-season action after an array of holiday tournaments and nonconference action.
"We are ready to get going again," said Greensburg Central Catholic coach Joe Dykta, whose team travels to Kittanning on Thursday for Class AA competition. "We are poised to do better in the second half of the season. I think things are coming together."
In Class AA, Indiana Area's Zach Diamond is the leading scorer with 28 points, including 18 goals, while Freeport's Dustin Gaworski is 10th in Class A with 27 points.
In the team standings, Indiana (8-2) is trailing first-place Kittanning (10-1) in the East, while Greensburg Central Catholic (4-5) is holding third in the South.
Key Class AAA matchups this week include Penn-Trafford (5-6) at Connellsville (3-9), Plum (9-2) at Kiski Area (3-9), and Butler (10-2) travels to Hempfield Area (5-5).
With Kiski Area attempting to move out of the cellar in the South, Penn-Trafford looks to bump Hempfield from third place.
"We're up and coming right now," Kiski Area coach Marty Bradley said. "It bodes well for the future."
Hempfield Area's John Zurenski is fifth in scoring in Class AAA with 28 points on 19 goals and nine assists.
"He's good all-around and a great playmaker," said Hempfield coach Bruce Cameron, whose Spartans are 5-5 and took the holiday off. "He has good puck control and very good speed."
In Friday's Class AAA action, Greater Latrobe improved to 3-8-1 overall, defeating Seneca Valley 4-2 as Derek Lutterman had a hat trick and goaltender Josh Gross made 33 saves. Franklin Regional (7-3-1) tied Baldwin 1-1, getting a goal from Joel Sirianni. Panthers goaltender Chris Fonzi stopped 22 of 23 shots.
TOURNEY TIDBITS
In local tournament action last weekend, North Allegheny (8-2-1) captured the Director's Cup at the Pa. Hockey WPHCA Scholastic Showcase Tournament at Center Ice Arena in Delmont, defeating Holy Ghost Prep 3-2 in overtime.
Lenny Ulish led Greensburg Central Catholic, scoring two goals and three assists as it went 1-2 in the tournament, while Greater Latrobe's Justin Fontaine stopped 54 shots. Indiana Area's Zach Diamond scored three, and Franklin Regional's Luke Baughman netted four goals to lead the Panthers.
| Results of the Pa. Hockey Tournament at Center Ice Arena in Delmont |
(Final Standings for the Director's Cup w/tournament record in parentheses)
1. North Allegheny (5-0) Gold
2. Holy Ghost Prep (4-1) Silver
3. Central Catholic (3-1) Bronze
3. Bethel Park (3-1) Bronze
All-Tournament Team: Joe Smarto (North Allegheny), Paul Dittrich (North Allegheny), Bryan Maloney (North Allegheny), Buddy Lawall (Holy Ghost Prep), Andew Golin (Holy Ghost Prep), Paul Worthington (Holy Ghost Prep), Chris Urso (Central Catholic), Matt Urso (Central Catholic), Conner McLean (Bethel Park), Dan Zabkar (Bethel Park), Ian Artim (South Park), Kris McDonough (Upper St. Clair), Travis Senchur (Plum)
Tournament MVP: Joe Smarto (North Allegheny)
