Rams, Falcons set to open PIHL playoffs
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Carrick’s Dane Heckman (21) is unable to stop Connellsville’s Ryan Brown from scoring a goal past goalie Joseph Forster (47) during the PIHL Division 2 game played on Nov. 27, 2018, at The Ice Mine. Brown recently completed his first season with the Trenton Golden Hawks of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
Connellsville goalie Sebastian Skarzenski makes a save in the second period of the Falcons' PIHL Division 2 home finale against Burrell. Connellsville defensemen Luke Wascak (10) closes in as the Bucs' Dylan Zelonka (18) looks for a rebound.
Connellsville's Gregory Hensh (6) carries the puck across the blue line with Carrick's Michael Farkal (43) in pursuit during the PIHL Division 2 game played at The Ice Mine on Nov. 28, 2018. The two teams meet at The Ice Mine on Tuesday in the quarterfinal round of the PIHL playoffs.
Connellsville's Ryan Brown carries the puck through center ice during the first period of the PIHL Division 2 home finale against Burrell at The Ice Mine in Leisenring. Brown and the Falcons open the PIHL Division 2 playoffs at home Tuesday night against Carrick.
The high school hockey season began in the first week of October and two local teams hope their seasons will end the day after St. Patrick’s Day.
Ringgold and Connellsville begin the quest for a PIHL Division 2 championship this week in the quarterfinal round.
The semifinals will be on Monday, March 11, at the RMU Island Sports Center, with the championship on Monday, March 18, at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
The Rams and Falcons tied for third place with 32 points each, though Ringgold got the nod for third place by virtue of its two overtime victories against Connellsville.
Ringgold hosts Central Valley tonight at 7:15 p.m. at the Rostraver Ice Garden, while Connellsville entertains Carrick Tuesday at The Ice Mine with a 7 p.m. start.
Both teams advanced to the semifinals last year. Connellsville lost to top-seeded Moon, 2-1, on a late goal. Ringgold was defeated by Burrell, 6-4.
Moon won the title with a 7-4 victory over Burrell.
Burrell is the top seed, losing only once in the 20-game season. The Bucs’ lone loss came in their season finale at Connellsville, 6-2. Neshannock finished second with 33 points.
Ringgold split the season series with Central Valley, losing 5-3 at home and winning 6-0 on the road.
“We had penalty issues (in the Central Valley game). They had power plays,” said Ringgold coach Rick Kalinowski. “It helps playing at home, but we lost to them at home.”
Kalinowski said one of the big turnarounds from last season was the Rams staying out of the penalty box.
“We were No. 1 in penalties last year. We had a definite change this year,” said Kalinowski, noting the Rams cut down on time spent in the box this season.
Kalinowski said his squad is healthy as they prepare for a playoff run.
“We’re injury free and we’ve been practicing hard as a group,” said Kalinowski, adding the Rams last played on Feb. 18.
The Rams have two scorers in the top 10 with Justin Day ninth and Noah Schroeder in 10th.
Day is fifth in the league with 22 goals, including six power plays goals, second-most in the regular season. He also has 20 assists for 42 points.
Shroeder is close behind with 40 points (14 goals-26 assists).
Evan Eberlein (13), Nathan Todd (14), Bradley Bujdos (14), and Zach Kalinowski (12) have scored at least 10 goals for the Rams.
“We need to continue the chemistry through the first three lines,” explained Kalinowski. “We look to our seniors, Noah Schroeder, Evan Cook, Luke Long and Gage Gazzalie.
“Noah has had a real great year.”
Cook is the last line of defense for the Rams and opponents have had a difficult time slipping the puck past the netminder. Cook has allowed 49 goals for a 2.45 goals against average and has a save percentage of .902 (49 goals on 501 shots).
“We’re a pretty even team. What really helps us is our core defense,” said Kalinowski.
Kalinowski said he can get a read on his team before the drop of the first puck.
“I can see based on the kid’s demeanor. I see the body language. I can see the kids have stepped up,” said Kalinowski. “I can see the attitude on the ice, how the warmups go and see how the practices go.”
Anthony Santilli is the lone Central Valley player with 10 or more goals with 11. Christian Bohon and Matthew Vrankovich share the team lead with 19 points apiece.
Roberto Wilhelm has handled most of the work in goal for the Warriors, posting a 4.60 goals against average.
Kalinowski believes the Rams are poised for a run at the title.
“We had a lack of experience last year against Burrell. We want to get to the end. We started in August with a combined camp with South Park. Our goal is to get to the finals” said Kalinowski. “(The Central Valley game) is all on us. If we come out with smart play, we should win.”
Connellsville is the stingiest team in the playoffs, allowing 42 goals in 20 games. The Falcons allowed a league-low five power play goals to lead the league with a 90.2 percent penalty kill.
The top reason for the stellar penalty kill is goalie Sebastian Skarzenski. The senior leads the league by allowing only 1.99 goals per game with a save percentage of .921.
Skarzenzki was not available for the second game against Carrick, a 5-1 road loss late in the season. He was in net for the 8-0 win at home.
“We had Zak Koskosky, one of our top five defensemen, in the net (for Skarzenski). It had a ripple-down effect. We were compensating for the lack of defense,” Connellsville coach Ray Brown said of the loss. “The first game had a wide goal margin. We didn’t expect it to go that way.”
The Falcons can also put the puck in the net, finishing third with 112 goals scored.
Ryan Brown is second in the league in scoring with 36 goals, including five power play goals, and 63 points in 18 games. Gregory Hensh is sixth in the league with 45 points on 21 goals and 26 assists. He also has five power play goals.
Brown leads the league with five short-handed goals and is able to be on the penalty kill a lot since he’s been penalized only twice.
“Ryan and Gregory have been playing together a long time. They have knack. They thrive on (scoring opportunities on the penalty kill). It’s funny how they do that,” said Ray Brown.
Although the Falcons can score, Ray Brown understands what brings titles.
“We’re third on offense, but defense wins hockey games. We have a strong defensive core and are strong in goal. That’s the key to winning hockey games,” said Brown, adding, “But, we still have to put the puck in the net.”
Carrick finished fifth with a 13-6-0-1 record. Michael Farkal leads Carrick with 14 goals. Gavin McKain tallied 13 goals and leads the team with 25 points.
Joseph Forster and Sean Dugan have basically split goaltending duties, with Forster posting a 2.82 goals against average and Dugan allowing 3.25 goals a game.
Brown said his Falcons want their final game to be in the championship.
“We have eight seniors. They’ve paid their dues. I think they want to finish strong,” said Brown. “We have to stay focused. Play every game, every period, every shift as it comes to us. We’ve been very good at that over the years.”