Mars hockey team looking to reload
There has been one guarantee in the PIHL Class A over the past half-decade — Mars would be in the Penguins Cup final.
The Planets have made five straight championship games, winning the title in 2009-11.
Last year, Mars lost to Quaker Valley in the championship game and must replace its top four scorers, including 64-point scorer Austin Heakins. Heakins decided to play amateur hockey.
“The team this season is young but shows lots of promise,” Mars coach Steven Meyers said. “We are a work in progress but are getting better everyday and will lean heavily on our goaltending this season. We definitely have the skill to be one of the top teams in Class A, but are still perfecting many areas of our game.”
Mars has two goalies coming back with experience in Christian Knapp and Alex Stepke. So far, Stepke has gotten all the minutes, stopping 48-of-56 shots in winning two of three games. The Planets only loss came Tuesday against another perennial Class A contender, Kittanning.
Many players have chipped in so far in scoring, with 10 players notching at least two points so far. Craig Mazzotta, the team’s leading returning scorer, and Trevor Tisdale lead the way with five points each.
Sophomore Ian Houk-Graves, who has three points in three games, is the team’s top defenseman.
The Planets next game will be their toughest to date, as they will face the Quakers on Nov. 15.
The Planets have made five straight championship games, winning the title in 2009-11.
Last year, Mars lost to Quaker Valley in the championship game and must replace its top four scorers, including 64-point scorer Austin Heakins. Heakins decided to play amateur hockey.
“The team this season is young but shows lots of promise,” Mars coach Steven Meyers said. “We are a work in progress but are getting better everyday and will lean heavily on our goaltending this season. We definitely have the skill to be one of the top teams in Class A, but are still perfecting many areas of our game.”
Mars has two goalies coming back with experience in Christian Knapp and Alex Stepke. So far, Stepke has gotten all the minutes, stopping 48-of-56 shots in winning two of three games. The Planets only loss came Tuesday against another perennial Class A contender, Kittanning.
Many players have chipped in so far in scoring, with 10 players notching at least two points so far. Craig Mazzotta, the team’s leading returning scorer, and Trevor Tisdale lead the way with five points each.
Sophomore Ian Houk-Graves, who has three points in three games, is the team’s top defenseman.
The Planets next game will be their toughest to date, as they will face the Quakers on Nov. 15.
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