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Welcome to the 2003-04 Winter Sports Season!
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Summaries - 2
Summaries - 3



NORTH ALLEGHENY VARSITY ICE HOCKEY

File Photo by Frank Dittrich

CENTRAL CATHOLIC EDGES TIGERS, 2-1

The Central Catholic Vikings defeated the Tigers, 2-1, in a hard-fought battle in the quarterfinals of the PIHL Penguin Cup at Bladerunners in Harmarville on Thursday night.  Senior Billy Weiler scored the NA goal as the NA season ended.

In the first period, the Tigers were penalized in the early moments giving Central a chance for the lead.  Junior Jeff Kristan made a diving save to rob Chris Urso at the 12:27 mark to keep the game scoreless.  Later in the penalty, senior Joe Smarto had a chance for a shorthanded goal at the 11:28 mark, but his attempt went just wide.  Just seconds later,  Eddie Martin got behind the NA defense and scored a power play goal to give Central a 1-0 advantage after one period.

Early in the second period, Martin had another opportunity to score but Kristan again made a key save at the 10:27 mark to keep it a one-goal game.  Weiler then took over.  The senior winger broke into the slot and beat Central goalie Russ Hefner, but his shot bounced wide of the net.  At the 5:56 mark, Weiler was able to beat Hefner on a rebound of a shot by junior defenseman Matt Zrebiec to tie the game at 1-1.  A little over a minute later, Urso had a chance to regain the lead for Central, but his attempt went wide.  Just when it looked like the period would end in a tie, Urso broke in from the far boards and was able to beat Kristan and give Central a 2-1 advantage after two periods.

 The Tigers continued to pressure the Vikings throughout the third period but could  not tie the game.  Senior captain Bryan Maloney came close with 6:30 remaining, but Hefner made a big save to keep the Vikings in front.  Smarto had another good chance with 4:52 left as he shot the puck through traffic, but Hefner again came up big to stymie the Tigers.  The Vikings were able to hold on for the hard-fought 2-1 victory.  Central outshot NA, 19-18, on the game.

The Tigers ended a successful season with an overall record of 19-5-2.  In addition to the league record, NA won two prestigious tournaments, the St. Margaret's Fall Faceoff Tourney and the Scholastic Showcase Tournament.

(Thanks to Jim Pekins and Jeff Mauro for information in this report!)

GAME SUMMARY
CENTRAL CATHOLIC - 2  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1

SCORE BY PERIODS 1 2 3 FINAL
NORTH ALLEGHENY 0 1 0 1
Central Catholic 1 1 0 2

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

FIRST PERIOD
CENTRAL CATHOLIC Eddie Martin (Matt Grabowski) (PP) 11:08
SECOND PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Billy Weiler (Matt Zrebiec) (PP) 5:56
CENTRAL CATHOLIC Matt Urso (BillyConnelly) 0:06
THIRD PERIOD
NO SCORING

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

PIHL CLASS AAA PLAYOFFS - 2004

FIRST ROUND - Monday through Thursday, March 8-11
Mt. Lebanon - 7  Gateway  - 0
Meadville - 8  Cathedral Prep - 0
Fox Chapel - 3  Shaler - 1
Central Catholic - 6  McDowell - 2
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  Baldwin - 0
Upper St. Clair - 6  Plum - 5
Butler - 2  Franklin Regional - 1 (OT)
Bethel Park - 4  Penn-Trafford - 2
QUARTERFINALS - Monday thorough Thursday, March 15-18
Mt. Lebanon - 3  Bethel Park - 0
Meadville - 3  Butler - 2
Upper St. Clair - 7  Fox Chapel - 2
Central Catholic - 2  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1
SEMIFINALS - at Mellon Arena, 7:00 and 9:00 pm
Mt. Lebanon - 2  Upper St. Clair - 1
Meadville - 4  Central Catholic - 3 (OT)
FINALS - at Mellon Arena, Sunday, March 28 at 5:00 pm
Mt. Lebanon - 3  Meadville - 0

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS BLANK BALDWIN, 3-0, TO ADVANCE TO QUARTERFINALS

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

The Tigers shut out Baldwin, 3-0, on Wednesday night at Bladerunners in Warrendale to advance to the quarterfinal round of the PIHL playoffs.  After a scoreless first period, seniors Ian Fitzpatrick and Joe Williams scored in the second period, while junior Matt Pekins added a third period goal.  Junior Jeff Kristan stopped 18 shots to earn the victory.

Both teams had opportunities early in the first period but were unable to score.  Baldwin picked up a pair of penalties late in the period, but Baldwin goalie Matt King made several outstanding saves to keep the game scoreless.  NA outshot Baldwin, 14-3, in the period.

After the Tigers killed off an early penalty in the second period, NA began to dominate the game territorially.  The Tigers got the all important first goal at the 7:36 mark when junior defenseman Matt Zrebiec blasted a slap shot from the point that Fitzpatrick was able to direct into the net.  The goal energized the Tigers and it paid off when Williams was able to tap in a pass from freshman Wes Waldschmidt just 3:12 later, as NA took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission.

In the final period, the Tigers had to kill off four penalties.  Good penalty killing and outstanding play in goal by Kristan kept the Highlanders off the board.  With just under six minutes remaining, Baldwin pulled goalie King.  After sophomore defenseman Paul Dittrich picked up a roughing penalty, Baldwin had a six-on-three advantage for 17 seconds but could not score.  Pekins put the game away with a clever move on King, scoring on a backhander with just 1:15 remaining as the Tigers wrapped up a 3-0 victory.  

The Tigers outshot Baldwin,  32-18, on the game.  For his efforts in goal, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Jeff Kristan as the Player of the Game.

The win improved the NA record to 19-4-2 and moved them into the quarterfinal round against Central Catholic.  Central defeated NA, 4-1, earlier in the season.  The game will be played at Bladerunners in Harmarville, but the date and time have not been announced. 

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  BALDWIN - 0

SCORE BY PERIODS 1 2 3 FINAL
Baldwin 0 0 0 0
NORTH ALLEGHENY 0 2 1 3

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

FIRST PERIOD
NO SCORING
SECOND PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Ian Fitzpatrick (Matt Zrebiec, Joe Smarto) 7:24
NORTH ALLEGHENY Joe Williams (Wes Waldschmidt, Matt Pekins) 11:36
THIRD PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Pekins (Zrebiec, Jon Bishop) 13:45

PENALTIES

FIRST PERIOD
BALDWIN David Greenberger Interference 11:02
BALDWIN Chris Tihey Holding 13:45
SECOND PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Bill Weiler Holding 3:48
NORTH ALLEGHENY Paul Dittrich Holding 14:02
THIRD PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Brian Maloney High sticking 1:23
NORTH ALLEGHENY Brian Maloney Interference 7:59
NORTH ALLEGHENY Paul Dittrich Roughing 9:43
BALDWIN  Lou DelGreco Slashing 12:09
NORTH ALLEGHENY Ian Fitzpatrick Roughing 13:52

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WES WALDSCHMIDT'S HAT TRICK LEADS TIGERS OVER NORWIN, 9-0

Led by freshman Wes Waldschmidt's three goals, the Tigers overwhelmed Norwin, 9-0, on Monday night at the Center Ice Arena in Delmont.  Junior Matt Pekins had a big night with two goals and three assists as the Tigers completed their regular season play.  

Senior Ian Fitzpatrick got the Tigers off to a good start, on assists from Pekins and sophomore defenseman Paul Dittrich, as NA took a 1-0 lead.  After senior Billy Weiler scored, senior forward Joe Smarto set up Pekins with a great pass and the Tiger lead increased to 3-0.  Waldschmidt scored his first goal before the end of the period and the Tigers took a 4-0 lead into the first intermission.

In the second period, Smarto and Waldschmidt added goals as the NA advantage went to 6-0.  Waldschmidt scored an unassisted goal to open the third period scoring.  Junior forward Brandon Lied made it 8-0, with assists going to Waldschmidt and Sheran.  Pekins put the finishing touches on the victory as he scored the final NA goal on another assist from Smarto.  Junior Jeff Kristan registered the shutout in goal for the Tigers.

With the victory, the Tigers clinched second place in the North Division with a final record of 18-4-2.  They currently rank fifth in the overall PIHL standings.  NA will host a first round playoff game next week.  The North Allegheny Sports Network plans to broadcast first round action LIVE on the internet.  More details later.

(Thanks again to Jim Pekins for information in this report!)

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 9  NORWIN - 0

SCORE BY PERIODS 1 2 3 FINAL
NORTH ALLEGHENY 4 2 3 9
Norwin 0 0 0 0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

FIRST PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Ian Fitpatrick (Matt Pekins, Paul Dittrich)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Billy Weiler (Brandon Lied)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Pekins (Joe Smarto, Ryan Sheran)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Wes Waldschmidt (Pekins, Weiler)
SECOND PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Smarto (Fitzpatrick, Lied)
NORTH ALLEGHENY W. Waldschmidt (Pekins)
THIRD PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Waldschmidt (unassisted)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Lied (W. Waldschmidt, Sheran)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Pekins (Smarto)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS DOWN BUTLER, 4-1, ON SENIOR NIGHT

The Tigers avenged an earlier loss to Butler with a 4-1 victory over the Tornado at Bladerunners in Warrendale on Friday night.  Appropriately, seniors scored all the NA goals with Bill Weiler and Ian Fitzpatrick picking up a pair of goals each.  Senior Bobby Daly allowed only a late Butler goal in earning the victory.

Weiler got the Tigers off and running early in the first period when he converted a pass from junior Matt Pekins.  Three seniors got in on the action later in the period with Fitzpatrick scoring his first goal, on assists from Joe Smarto and captain Bryan Maloney.  NA took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

In the second period, Fitzpatrick tallied the only goal with Maloney assisting.  The Tigers led, 3-0, after two periods.  Weiler scored a power play goal to push the NA advantage to 4-0, with Pekins and Smarto both recording their second assists.  Jared White scored for Butler to break up the shut out.  

Before the game, NA celebrated Senior Night honoring Tiger seniors playing their last regular season home game.  Bryan Maloney, Bill Weiler, Joe Smarto, Bobby Daly, Ian Fitzpatrick, Joe Williams, Rocky Mosquera, Jason Ryan and Jon Bishop were recognized, along with their parents.

  NA will complete the PIHL regular season on Monday night when they travel to the Center Ice Arena in Delmont to meet the Norwin Knights.  Game time on Monday is scheduled for 7:20 pm.

(Thanks to Jim Pekins for information in this report!)

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  BUTLER - 1

SCORE BY PERIODS 1 2 3 FINAL
Butler 0 0 1 1
NORTH ALLEGHENY 2 1 1 4

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

FIRST PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Bill Weiler (Matt Pekins)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Ian Fitzpatrick (Bryan Maloney, Joe Smarto)
SECOND PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Fitzpatrick (Maloney)
THIRD PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Weiler (Smarto, Pekins) PP
BUTLER Jared White

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

TIGERS ROLL OVER HAPLESS WOODLAND HILLS, 17-0

Fourteen Tiger players scored goals as NA rolled over winless Woodland Hills, 17-0, at Bladerunners in Warrendale on Tuesday night.  Seniors Jason Ryan and Bill Weiler had two goals with sophomore Joe Camut also adding a pair.  The win improved the NA record to 16-4-2 with just two league games remaining.

The Tigers got single goals from sophomore Paul Dittrich, senior Jon Bishop, and juniors Brandon Lied and Matt Zrebiec.  Also scoring for NA were seniors Ian Fitzpatrick, Joe Smarto, Rocky Mosquera, Joe Williams and captain Bryan Maloney.  Freshman Danny Gaertner and Wes Waldschmidt also added tallies as NA won easily.  Sophomore Brandon Weidwald stopped four Wolverine shots in earning his first varsity shutout.

The loss dropped Woodland Hills to 0-20-1 on the season while giving up a total of 312 goals.  With the win, NA moved to within three points of Division leader Meadville, but also kept the Tigers within reach of the top four in the final standings.

NA will host the Butler Golden Tornado on Friday night at Bladerunners.  Butler defeated NA, 3-2, earlier in the season.  The Tornado are currently in third place, six points behind the Tigers.  Game time is scheduled for 7:20 pm.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGER PLAYERS, COACH RECOGNIZED IN PA HOCKEY'S TOP 25

Jeff Mauro's PA Hockey website has published its individual rankings of the top players in Western Pennsylvania to this point in the season.  Rated in the top 25 players is senior forward Joe Smarto.  Senior Brian Maloney was among the top 10 "Scholars", underrated smart players in high school hockey, and freshman Wes Waldschmidt was named as one of Western PA's top freshman.  Coach Tom Pandolfo was selected for one of the top five coaching performances in western Pennsylvania.  While the ratings are subjective, it's a nice honor for the NA players and coach to be selected among the elite in western Pennsylvania high school hockey.

JEFF MAURO'S THUMBNAIL SKETCHES 

PA HOCKEY'S - WESTERN PA TOP 25 PLAYERS OF 2003-04
JOE SMARTO
- On a team that stresses team play all the way, Smarto stands out and figures in a lot of big goals for the Tigers, who have had a big turnaround in less than a year.

PA HOCKEY'S - WESTERN PA TOP 10 "SCHOLARS" - 2003-04 (Underrated smart players in HS Hockey who are Unsung Leaders of their respective teams)
BRYAN MALONEY
- This kid has committed every player on his team to being in top physical condition by example and makes plays once he gains the puck with a nice touch and a decent shot

PA HOCKEY'S - WESTERN PA TOP 5 "COACHING PERFORMANCES" - 2003-04
TOM PANDOLFO -
May be the craziest individual coaching today...but understands the process and has commitment of his players to lead a great turnaround long overdue at NA

PA HOCKEY'S - WESTERN PA TOP 5 "FUTURE YOUNG STUDS" - 2003-2004 (Top Freshman)
WES WALDSCHMIDT
- Came out of relative obscurity to score Director's Cup winning goal, but this kid can really play and has watched brothers do the same before him!

(For more info, click here to go to PA Hockey website!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS BLANK PREP, 3-0

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

The Tigers shut out the Cathedral Prep Ramblers, 3-0, in a physical game at Bladerunners in Warrendale on Tuesday night.  Seniors Joe Williams, Billy Weiler, and Bryan Maloney scored as the Tigers outshot the Ramblers, 35-12.  Junior Jeff Kristan was in goal for the shutout.

The Tigers started slowly and Prep had the territorial advantage in a scoreless first period.  NA picked up two early penalities but the Tiger defense and Kristan were able to stymie the Rambler attack.  The best Tiger chance came when junior defenseman Ryan Sheran's hard slap shot was stopped at the last second by the outstanding Prep goalie, junior Ryan Zapolski.

In the second period, the Tigers began to control the game, keeping pressure on the Ramblers for most of the period.  Zadolny kept NA off the board until Williams was able to get a shot past Zapolski with 4:00 remaining.  The Tiger defenseman drove the puck from the left point through a maze of players.  Zapolski got a piece of the puck but it rolled behind him.  With just 20 seconds remaining, senior forward Ian Fitzpatrick had a great chance but his shot hit the post and stayed out.   The Tigers outshot Prep, 19-2, in the period.  NA took a 1-0 lead into the second intermission.

The Tigers came out strong at the beginning of the third period, and it paid off.  Freshman Wes Waldschmidt stripped the puck from defenseman Louis Caracci in the Prep zone.  Waldschmidt then set up Weiler in the slot and the Tiger senior beat Zapolski cleanly to give NA a 2-0 advantage.  Prep try to rally late in the period, but an apparent goal by senior center Andrew Callaghan was waved off as the referee had already blown the play dead.  The Ramblers pulled Zapolsky with a minute to play, and Maloney put the finishing touch to an important NA victory with an open net goal with just one second to go.  The Tigers earned a hard-fought 3-0 victory.

The win improved the NA record to 15-4-2 and put them just one point behind division leader Meadville.  

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  CATHEDRAL PREP - 0

SCORE BY PERIODS 1 2 3 FINAL
Cathedral Prep 0 0 0 0
NORTH ALLEGHENY 0 1 2 3

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

FIRST PERIOD
NO SCORING
SECOND PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Joe Williams (unassisted) 11:00
THIRD PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Billy Weiler (Wes Waldschmidt) 3:07
NORTH ALLEGHENY Bryan Maloney (EN) 14:59

PENALTIES

FIRST PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Joe Smarto Interference 1:48
NORTH ALLEGHENY Paul Dittrich Tripping 3:14
NORTH ALLEGHENY Matt Pekins Roughing 7:30
CATHEDRAL PREP Ryan Halko Roughing 7:30
SECOND PERIOD
CATHEDRAL PREP Matt Burch Misconduct 2:46
NORTH ALLEGHENY Paul Dittrich Tripping 4:58
CATHEDRAL PREP Andrew Fox Tripping 4:58
NORTH ALLEGHENY Bryan Maloney Interference 7:03
CATHEDRAL PREP Frank Foti Slashing 12:01
CATHEDRAL PREP Andrew Callaghan Hooking 13:46
THIRD PERIOD
CATHEDRAL PREP Andrew Fox  Elbowing 11:29
NORTH ALLEGHENY Ian Fitzpatrick Slashing 11:29
NORTH ALLEGHENY Joe Williams Elbowing 12:10
CATHEDRAL PREP Ross Budacki Holding 12:47

SHOTS ON GOAL

TEAM 1 2 3 TOTAL
Cathedral Prep 6 2 4 12
NORTH ALLEGHENY 4 19 8 35

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGER RALLY FALL SHORT AS MEADVILLE WINS, 6-4

The Tigers rallied for three goals in the third period but Meadville was able to hold on to defeat NA, 6-4, in the battle for first place at Meadville on Monday night.  NA fell behind, 3-1, after one period and 6-1 after two.  Seniors Joe Smarto and Billy Weiler, junior Ryan Sheran and freshman Wes Waldschmidt scored the Tiger goals.

Meadville jumped out to a 3-0 in the first period before Smarto put NA on the board with a great individual effort.  The Bulldogs took a 3-1 advantage into the first intermission.  In the second period, the Tigers hurt their cause with a number of penalties that allowed Meadville to build a 6-1 after two.

In the third period, NA mounted a furious rally.   Sheran scored on an assist from junior Matt Zrebiec cutting the lead to 6-2.  Weiler took advantage of a Meadville penalty to score a power play goal to make it 6-3.  Sophomore defenseman Paul Dittrich set up Wes Waldschmidt to make it a two-goal game with under a minute to go.  The Tigers pulled the goalie and applied pressure, but it was too little, too late, as the Bulldogs held on for the 6-4 victory.

The loss dropped the NA record in PIHL play to 14-4-2 while Meadville went to 16-1-1 as the Tigers dropped three points behind the Bulldogs in the North Division standings.  The Tigers will face Erie Cathedral Prep tonight in a makeup of the contest that was postponed back on January 27.   The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 8:50 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 9:00 pm in Warrendale.

(Thanks to Jim Pekins for information in this report!)

GAME SUMMARY
MEADVILLE - 6  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4

SCORE BY PERIODS 1 2 3 FINAL
NORTH ALLEGHENY 1 0 3 4
Meadville 3 3 0 6

INDIVIDUAL SCORING (NA only)

FIRST PERIOD
MEADVILLE
MEADVILLE
MEADVILLE
NORTH ALLEGHENY Joe Smarto
SECOND PERIOD
MEADVILLE
MEADVILLE
MEADVILLE
THIRD PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Ryan Sheran (Matt Zrebiec)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Billy Weiler (Smarto, Ian Fitzpatrick) PP
NORTH ALLEGHENY Wes Waldschmidt (Paul Dittrich)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

HEMPFIELD NO MATCH FOR TIGERS, 10-3

The Tigers overwhelmed the Hempfield Spartans, 10-3, at Bladerunners in Warrendale on Friday night.  Junior Garrett Waldschmidt, senior Ian Fitzpatrick, and senior Billy Weiler had two goals each to pace the Tigers.  NA built a 5-1 lead after one period and never looked back.

Garrett Waldschmidt got the Tigers off and running with a pair of goals as NA jumped off to a 2-0 lead.  Senior Joe Smarto set up Fitzpatrick for his first goal as the Tigers increased the margin to 3-0.  After Hempfield scored, Weiler then picked up his first goal, on assists from junior Matt Pekins and Smarto to make it 4-1.  The Tigers weren't finished as freshman Wes Waldschmidt lit the lamp on assists from sophomore Ian McGlumphy and senior Rocky Mosquera.  NA took a commanding 5-1 lead after one period.

In the second period, Weiler tallied his second goal, and senior captain Bryan Maloney found the net to push the NA advantage to 7-1.  The Spartans scored before the end of the period, but the Tigers maintained a 7-2 lead going into the final period.

The Tigers continued to work hard in the third period.  Weiler, Smarto, and Pekins all scored before Hempfield managed the final goal of the period.  Fitzpatrick and Smarto had four-point games, while Weiler and Pekins added three points to their personal point total.

The win improved the NA record to 14-3-2 on the season.  The Tigers remain in second place, just one point behind Meadville, a 5-1 winner over Franklin Regional on Friday night.  The Tigers will travel to Meadville on Monday in a battle for first place.  The teams tied at 2-2 earlier in the year at Bladerunners.  Game time on Monday is set for 7:30 pm at the Meadville Recreation Center.

 

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 10  HEMPFIELD - 3

SCORE BY PERIODS 1 2 3 FINAL
Hempfield 1 1 1 3
NORTH ALLEGHENY 5 2 3 10

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

FIRST PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Garrett Waldschmidt (Billy Weiler, Matt Pekins)
NORTH ALLEGHENY G. Waldschmidt (Weiler)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Ian Fitzpatrick (Joe Smarto)
HEMPFIELD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Weiler (Pekins, Smarto)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Wes Waldschmidt (Ian McGlumphy, Rocky Mosquera)
SECOND PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Weiler (W. Waldschmidt)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Bryan Maloney (Fitzpatrick, Smarto)
HEMPFIELD
THIRD PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Fitzpatrick (Maloney)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Smarto (Maloney, Fitzpatrick)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Pekins (Paul Dittrich, Matt Zrebiec)
HEMPFIELD

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS BLANK KISKI AREA, 6-0

by Ron Zrebiec

The Tigers traveled to Center Ice in Delmont to take on the Cavaliers of Kiski on Monday night.  The Tigers opened the scoring when junior Brandon Lied cleaned up on a shot by senior Joe Smarto and found the back of the twine just over two minutes into the contest.  The pressure continued when junior Ryan Sheran fired a slap shot from the right point.  The shot was slightly wide but hit the skate of a Kiski defender and traveled past goaltender Brian McLaughlin for the second goal of the game.  Senior Bill Weiler ended the first period scoring by chipping one in on a power play.  Weiler was assisted on the play with a feed from freshman Wes Waldschmidt and junior Matt Pekins.  The Tigers closed out the first period with a 3-0 advantage on the scoreboard and a 23-1 advantage in shots.

Lied opened the scoring in the second by collecting a pass from senior Captain Bryan Maloney and senior defenseman Jason Ryan and weaving in through traffic to sail one past the netminder.  Assistant Captain Joe Smarto collected a dump-in that came back off the boards and lasered one past McLaughlin to extend the Tiger lead.  The team played exceptionally well, killing off a number of penalties in the second, including a two-man deficit where they actually managed a shot on goal on a steal in the defensive zone.  The second period ended with the Tigers leading 5-0.

The third period was also marked by a number of penalties on both sides.  The final tally came on a slap shot from the left point by sophomore blueliner Paul Dittrich after taking a feed from Smarto.  The contest ended with Tigers ahead 6-0.  Kiski goaltender Brian McLaughlin did a commendable job of keeping the game from becoming a rout as he saw a total of 68 shots and allowed only 6 to get behind him.  The Tiger aggressive defensive tactics held Kiski to a total of 5 shots for the entire evening.

NA will return home on Friday when they host the Hempfield Spartans at Bladerunners in Warrendale.  Game time is scheduled for 7:20 pm.  Please plan to attend!

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 6  KISKI AREA - 0

SCORE BY PERIODS 1 2 3 FINAL
NORTH ALLEGHENY 3 2 1 6
Kiski Area 0 0 0 0

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

FIRST PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Brandon Lied (Joe Smarto)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Ryan Sheran
NORTH ALLEGHENY Bill Weiler (Wes Waldschmidt, Matt Pekins)
SECOND PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Lied (Bryan Maloney, Jason Ryan)
NORTH ALLEGHENY Smarto
THIRD PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Paul Dittrich (Smarto)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

NORTHEAST ALL-STARS FALL TO SOUTHWEST, 2-1

The Southwest All-Stars edged the Northeast All-Stars, 2-1, at Mellon Arena on Saturday night.  Tiger seniors Joe Smarto and Bryan Maloney played for the Northeast in the annual All-Star game. 

The Northeast jumped ahead, 1-0, in the first period.  Junior forward Spencer Crouse of Butler scored on an assist from Seneca Valley's Matt Cummings at the 5:53 mark.  The goal held up and the Northeast took a one-goal lead into the second period.

The Southwest team tied the game just 52 seconds into the second period.  Junior defenseman Matt Grabowski from Central Catholic got the goal.  The Northeast had a pair of power plays but could not score, and the teams went to the second intermission with a 1-1 tie.  Two sophomores combined to score the winning goal for the Southwest in the third period.  Late in the period, sophomore Chris Cerutti of Penn-Trafford  poked in a rebound of a shot by Kris McDonough of Upper St. Clair at the 12:52 mark.  The goal held up and the Southwest took a 2-1 victory.

The Tigers will be back in action tomorrow night when they travel to the Center Ice Arena in Delmont to meet the Kiski Area Cavaliers.  Game time is scheduled for 7:20 pm as the Tigers try to get back on the winning track.

GAME SUMMARY
SOUTHWEST ALL-STARS - 2  NORTHEAST ALL-STARS - 1

SCORE BY PERIODS 1 2 3 FINAL
Southwest All-Stars 0 1 1 2
NORTHEAST ALL-STARS 1 0 0 1

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

FIRST PERIOD
NORTHEAST Spencer Crouse (Matt Cummings) 5:53
SECOND PERIOD
SOUTHWEST Matt Grabowski (Conner McLean) 0:52
THIRD PERIOD
SOUTHWEST Chris Cerutti (Kris McDonough) 12:52

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MT. LEBANON DOWNS TIGERS, 8-1

The Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils ended the Tigers eight-game unbeaten streak with an 8-1 victory over NA at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center on Thursday night.  Senior Bryan Maloney scored the NA goal.  Chad Uddstrom scored four times and Bill Leckenby added three as Lebo dominated.

The Tigers kept it close in the first period.  After Leckenby and Uddstrom had given Mt. Lebanon an early 2-0 lead, Maloney scored on assists from senior Joe Smarto and freshman Wes Waldschmidt to cut the advantage in half at the end of the first period.  It was all Mt. Lebanon in the second and third periods.  The Blue Devils scored three times in each of the final two periods to walk away with the easy 8-1 victory.

The Tigers had not lost since dropping a 4-1 decision to Central Catholic on December 12.  The loss dropped the NA record to 12-3-2 and back into a second-place tie with Butler.  Meadville won and Butler lost last night in the battle for the North Division title.  Mt. Lebanon improved their record to 16-1-1 on the season.  

GAME SUMMARY
MT. LEBANON - 8  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1

SCORE BY PERIODS 1 2 3 FINAL
NORTH ALLEGHENY 1 0 0 1
Mt. Lebanon 2 3 3 8

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

FIRST PERIOD
MT. LEBANON Bill Leckenby
MT. LEBANON Chad Uddstrom
NORTH ALLEGHENY Bryan Maloney (Joe Smarto, Wes Waldschmidt)
SECOND PERIOD
MT. LEBANON Uddstrom
MT. LEBANON Uddstrom
MT. LEBANON Leckenby
THIRD PERIOD
MT. LEBANON Leckenby
MT. LEBANON Uddstrom
MT. LEBANON Ron Valerino

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS POUND SENECA VALLEY, 11-3

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

Led by junior forward Brandon Lied's hat trick, the Tigers scored five goals in both the second and third periods on their way to an 11-3 victory over Seneca Valley at Bladerunners on Friday night.  Sophomore defenseman Paul Dittrich had four assists while senior forward Joe Smarto scored twice and added an assist.  Senior captain Bryan Maloney recorded a goal and three assists as NA improved their PIHL record to 12-2-2.

The Tigers dominated play in the first period, but Seneca Valley scored first.  Chad Melberg got loose on a breakaway and beat senior Tiger goalie Bobby Daly to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead just 2:20 into the first period.  Peet Pouillon got loose on another breakaway at the 4:10 mark, but Daly made the save.  Maloney almost tied the game just 44 seconds later as he stole the puck at center ice and skated in alone but was unable to beat Raider goal Nick Miller.  After the Tigers came close on a power play, Lied scored his first goal to tie the game at the 9:18 mark.  The period ended with the teams tied at 1-1.

Seneca Valley continued to play well for the first four minutes of the second period as the game remained tied.  Junior defenseman Ryan Sheran broke the tie with a hard slap shot from the point as NA took a 2-1 lead 4:18 into the period.  The goal opened the gates for NA as they scored four more goals in the next four minutes and five seconds.  Sophomore Ian McGlumphy scored from in front of the net at the 7:54 mark, senior Billy Weiler got on the board just 2 minutes later, and Smarto made it 5-1 when he converted on a pass from Maloney.  The Raiders threatened to get back in the game when Kevin Raynovich put in a rebound to score a power play goal with just 43 seconds left in the period.  Smarto matched that goal, however, when he skated in from the left side and beat Miller to make it 6-2 NA just 12 seconds later.  The Tigers took a four-goal lead into the second intermission.

The intensity picked up in the third period with a total  of seven penalties called.  Junior Garrett Waldschmidt got NA on the board quickly when he picked up the puck at center ice and skated in from the right side and scored just nine seconds into the period.  Raider captain Matthew Cummings poked in a rebound  30 seconds later as Seneca cut the lead to 7-3.  It was all NA for the remainder of the period.  Maloney scored at the 6:38 mark and Lied got his second goal just eleven seconds later.  The Tigers picked up a power play goal at the 10:34 mark when freshman Wes Waldschmidt poked in a pass from Dittrich.  Lied closed out the scoring 19 seconds later when he converted a pass from senior Rocky Mosquera.  The Tigers closed out Seneca for the remainder of the game as they; went on to an 11-3 victory.

With the win, NA moved into a first place tie with Butler with both teams having a total of 26 points.  The Tigers have played one game less than the Tornado.  Meadville is just one point behind as the three teams battle for the lead in the North Division.  For his outstanding play, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected Brandon Lied as the Player of the Game.  The Tigers will be at home again on Tuesday when they host the Ramblers from Cathedral Prep in Erie.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be on hand again to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 7:40 pm.  Game time is slated for 7:50 pm at Bladerunners in Warrendale.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 11  SENECA VALLEY - 3

SCORE BY PERIODS 1 2 3 FINAL
Seneca Valley 1 1 1 3
NORTH ALLEGHENY 1 5 5 11

  INDIVIDUAL SCORING

FIRST PERIOD
Seneca Valley Chad Melberg (Shawn Cross) 2:20
NORTH ALLEGHENY Brandon Lied (Joe Williams, Paul Dittrich) 9:18
SECOND PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Ryan Sheran (Bryan Maloney, Dittrich) 4:18
NORTH ALLEGHENY Ian McGlumphy (Lied) 5:40
NORTH ALLEGHENY Billy Weiler (Matt Zrebiec, Matt Pekins) 7:54
NORTH ALLEGHENY Joe Smarto (Maloney, Wes Waldschmidt) 9:45
SENECA VALLEY Kevin Raynovich (Peet Poillon) PP 14:17
NORTH ALLEGHENY Smarto (Maloney) 14:29
THIRD PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Garrett Waldschmidt (Pekins, Dittrich) 0:09
SENECA VALLEY Matthew Cummings (Cross, Sean Raub) 0:39
NORTH ALLEGHENY Maloney (Smarto) 6:38
NORTH ALLEGHENY Lied (McGlumphy, Rocky Mosquera) 6:49
NORTH ALLEGHENY W. Waldschmidt (Dittrich, Pekins) PP 11:34
NORTH ALLEGHENY Lied (Mosquera) 11:53

PENALTIES

FIRST PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY  Matt Zrebiec (Hooking) 5:04
SENECA VALLEY Peet Poillen (High Sticking) 7:15
SENECA VALLEY Justin Ball (Interference) 9:42
SECOND PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Bryan Maloney (Roughing) 1:08
NORTH ALLEGHENY Brandon Lied (Roughing) 4:10
SENECA VALLEY Jason Ball (Roughing) 4:10
NORTH ALLEGHENY Ryan Sheran (Interference) 11:33
NORTH ALLEGHENY Paul Dittrich (Holding) 13:49
THIRD PERIOD
NORTH ALLEGHENY Billy Weiler (Interference) 4:33
NORTH ALLEGHENY Ryan Sheran (Roughing) 5:54
SENECA VALLEY Chad Melberg (Roughing) 5:54
SENECA VALLEY Rick Kaiser (Interference) 8:05
SENECA VALLEY Peet Poillen (High Sticking) 11:01
SENECA VALLEY Justin Ball (Holding) 13:53
SENECA VALLEY Too many men 14:59

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

NORTHEAST CONFERENCE
NORTH DIVISION STANDINGS
FINAL STANDINGS

TEAM WON  LOST TIED STREAK PCT. GF GA PTS.
Meadville 21 2 1 Won 3 .896 121 36 43
NORTH ALLEGHENY 18 4 2 Won 4 .792 146 37 38
Butler 16 8 0 Won 1 .667 146 66 32
McDowell 11 12 1 Won 1 .479 111 60 23
Cathedral Prep 10 13 1 Lost 2 .438 61 66 21
Seneca Valley 7 17 0 Won 1 .292 91 138 14

NSN SPORTS RANKINGS
PIHL CLASS AAA
as of
2/5/04

PL TEAM RECORD
1. Meadville 14-1-1
2. Mt. Lebanon 17-1-1
3. Fox Chapel 16-2-1
4. Central Catholic 15-3-0
5. Baldwin 10-5-3
6. NORTH ALLEGHENY 13-3-2
7. Upper St. Clair 13-5-1
8. Bethel Park 12-5-1
9. Franklin Regional 11-6-1
10. Butler 13-6-0

  ELITE "8" - WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
as of
3/11/04

RANK TEAM CLASS DIVISION
1. Mt. Lebanon (22-1-1) AAA West
2. Meadville (21-2-1) AAA North
3. Fox Chapel (20-2-2) AAA East
4. Central Catholic (20-4-0) AAA West
5. NORTH ALLEGHENY (18-4-2) AAA North
6. Upper St. Clair (17-6-1) AAA West
7. Butler (16-8-0) AAA North
8. Penn-Trafford (16-8-0) AAA South
8. Bethel Park (15-8-1) AAA West

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE RANKINGS
CLASS AAA
as of
3/2/04

PL TEAM RECORD
1. Mt. Lebanon 22-1-1
2. Meadville 21-2-1
3. Fox Chapel 20-2-2
4. Central Catholic 20-4-0
5. NORTH ALLEGHENY 18-4-2

ELITE "8" - PENNSYLVANIA
as of 3/11/04

PL TEAM RECORD REGION LEAGUE
1. Mt. Lebanon 22-1-1 West PIHL
2. Malvern Prep 13-0-0 East ICSHL
3. Meadville 21-2-1 West PIHL
4. Fox Chapel 20-2-2 West PIHL
5. LaSalle 7-3-2 East SHSHL
6. Abington 19-9-2 West SHSHL
7. Germantown Academy 8-2-2 East SHSHL
8. Holy Ghost Prep 20-3-0 East LBCSHL
8. Central Catholic 20-4-0 West PIHL

 

Any questions or comments should be directed to Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto at:  bbozzuto@northallegheny.org

 

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