Quaker Valley, Mars hockey teams set for rematch of Penguins Cup final
Section rivals Mars and Quaker Valley will play the first of two scheduled games this season tonight at 8:30 at the Airport Ice Arena.
But it wouldn’t be surprising if the teams met more than just two times.
Quaker Valley is the defending Penguins Cup and state title winner in Class A. Mars has been to the Penguins Cup final five straight seasons — winning three — and won the state title in 2011.
The two met three times last season, with Quaker Valley winning all three times, including a 4-2 win in the Penguins Cup final.
Both teams lost significant pieces from last season’s teams.
The Quakers lost goaltender Doug Revak to graduation and star defenseman John Pilewicz to an amateur team. Mars lost its four top scorers.
But the Quakers return Ryan Dickson and Clayton Bouchard, who combined for 83 points last season. Bouchard had two goals and two assists in the team’s only game this season, a 10-0 win over Bishop McCort. Jimmy Perkins had a hat trick in the game for the Quakers, while Adam Pilewicz and Connor Quinn both had two goals.
Mars returns goaltenders Christian Knapp and Alex Stepke back, who combined to 16-2 last season. Stepke has gotten the start in all three games this season, going 2-1 and stopping 48-of-56 shots.
Offensively, Mars has five players with at least three points, led by Trevor Tisdale and Craig Mazzotta’s five points.
The teams will meet again on Feb. 12 at Blade Runners in Warrendale.
But it wouldn’t be surprising if the teams met more than just two times.
Quaker Valley is the defending Penguins Cup and state title winner in Class A. Mars has been to the Penguins Cup final five straight seasons — winning three — and won the state title in 2011.
The two met three times last season, with Quaker Valley winning all three times, including a 4-2 win in the Penguins Cup final.
Both teams lost significant pieces from last season’s teams.
The Quakers lost goaltender Doug Revak to graduation and star defenseman John Pilewicz to an amateur team. Mars lost its four top scorers.
But the Quakers return Ryan Dickson and Clayton Bouchard, who combined for 83 points last season. Bouchard had two goals and two assists in the team’s only game this season, a 10-0 win over Bishop McCort. Jimmy Perkins had a hat trick in the game for the Quakers, while Adam Pilewicz and Connor Quinn both had two goals.
Mars returns goaltenders Christian Knapp and Alex Stepke back, who combined to 16-2 last season. Stepke has gotten the start in all three games this season, going 2-1 and stopping 48-of-56 shots.
Offensively, Mars has five players with at least three points, led by Trevor Tisdale and Craig Mazzotta’s five points.
The teams will meet again on Feb. 12 at Blade Runners in Warrendale.
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