Tigers Vanquish Vikings In PIHL Quarterfinals, 3-1
The North Allegheny ice hockey team punched its ticket to the Penguins Cup Class AAA semifinals for the 10th consecutive season with a 3-1 victory over the Central Catholic Vikings on Monday night from the Baierl Ice Complex in Warrendale. Senior forward Ryan Jackman had a hand in all three goals for the Tigers, scoring two and assisting on another, to earn Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors. NA has now won four in a row in the head-to-head series and 13 of the last 14 games with the Vikings.
Facing Central Catholic in a postseason game for the first time since beating the Vikings 7-0 in the PIHL quarterfinals in 2015, North Allegheny netted the game’s first goal at the 8:54 mark of the opening stanza when Jackman tallied his first goal of the night for a 1-0 lead. The goal came on the power play and was assisted by Travis Lamark.
Seventh-seeded Central Catholic hung tough with second-seeded North Allegheny and tied the game at 1-1 at the 8:08 mark of the second period courtesy of a goal from Judah Brophy.
The deadlock was short-lived, however, as the Tigers swung the momentum back in their favor with back-to-back goals in the second period that came just eight seconds apart. At the 11:27 mark, Jackman struck for his second goal of the night, assisted by Tyler Bianchin, to vault NA back in front, 2-1. Then just eight seconds later, junior Marc Joyson expanded the lead to 3-1 on a goal that was assisted by Jackman and Alex Costa.
From that point on, the North Allegheny defense suffocated Central Catholic and took the life out of the Vikings’ offense and any hopes of a comeback. Junior goalie Camden Junker got the start and made 27 saves in a strong performance in between the pipes. Central Catholic goalie Ben Balla played well and made 30 saves in a losing effort.
With the quarterfinal round win over Central Catholic, North Allegheny advances to the Penguins Cup semifinals to face Seneca Valley on Monday, March 11, at the RMU Island Sports Center at 9:15 p.m.
Ice Hockey Summary vs. Central Catholic, 3-4-24
| GAME SUMMARY | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCORE BY PERIODS | 1 | 2 | 3 | FINAL |
| Central Catholic | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| North Allegheny | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |