Ice Hockey News

By: Jared Barton

After getting a win over the rival in mid-October, North Allegheny’s comeback fell short against Pine-Richland Thursday night at the Baierl Ice Complex in the first game of the new year for each team. The Rams took the contest in regulation, 5-3.

Pine-Richland scored the first three goals of the game, with two coming in the first period. Luca Julio scored the opening marker just 53 seconds into the frame, assisted by Noah Taggart. Cullen Campbell scored just under 12 minutes into the game as the Rams led 2-0 at the end of one.

Jackson Naik opened the second period scoring for PR on a goal assisted by Campbell and Carson Verszyla. NA responded with back-to-back goals to pull the Tigers back into the game. Senior Kyle Imm found the back of the net first, assisted by junior Marcus Garcia and freshman Brady Dixon. Towards the end of the period, junior Brady Hornyak lit the lamp, assisted by seniors Joey Mitchell and Alex Costa. A minute later, Campbell put the Rams up by two again, assisted by Verszyla and Pine-Richland carried a 4-2 advantage into the final period.

Alex Costa beat Pine-Richland goalie William Hanner in the middle stages of the third period with an unassisted goal, but the efforts wouldn’t be enough, as Verszyla added an empty net insurance marker with eight seconds remaining to seal the deal.

With a goal and strong effort tonight, Hornyak earned Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors.

Hanner stopped 30 shots in the win, while sophomore Chris Costa made 21 saves.

North Allegheny falls to 6-7 overall on the season. The Tigers hit the road for a matchup against Upper St. Clair next week from the Ice Castle Arena at 9:00 p.m.

ICE HOCKEY SUMMARY VS. PINE-RICHLAND, 1-8-26

SCORE BY PERIODS	1st	2nd	3rd	FINAL
Pine-Richland	2	2	1	5
North Allegheny	0	2	1	3