River Hawks Win Fourth Straight Behind Short-Handers
The Armstrong River Hawks are tops in PIHL Class AA after their win last night vs. Fox Chapel at the Belmont Complex.
by Jonathan Weaver and Dalton Bowser
Whether playing five-on-five or sitting in the penalty box, the River Hawks are getting the job done.
With four short-handed goals in last night’s 10-4 win against Fox Chapel, Armstrong’s hockey team has risen to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
The team led by Captain Luke Gross also has the most goals scored, wins and points in Class AA hockey heading into the five six games of the regular season.
But, Coach Doug Anthony knew the team’s hard work on special teams would pay off eventually.
“We’ve been close all year – communication has been the issue. (Thursday), we got the turnovers, (the River Hawks) went down the ice and (with) open communication, it worked!
It’s a simple game if you communicate,” Coach Anthony said.
Even a 5-on-3 disadvantage midway through the third period only sparked Armstrong to score a pair of goals past Seniior Goaltender Chad Veltri – who Coach Anthony called “the best goaltender in the league.”
The short-handed goals began with less than two minutes left in the first period while Tanner Stivason was serving two minutes for interference. Zach Kutch scored 20 seconds into the Fox Chapel power play opportunity.
“We came down on a break-away and (Nicholas Long) just threw a perfect pass, and I finished it off,” Kutch said. “We all worked the puck well together the whole (game).
“We’re a team right now, and we’re feeling confident together.”
The four short-handed goals were Armstrong’s first since a November 19 win versus Bishop Canevin.
Nicholas Benvenuti scored the first goal of the game, and Winger Jace Rearic’s next three goals got Armstrong off to a hot start.
Rearic credited Gross with the smooth passes that led to his first hat trick of the season. This is only the second game both have played together on the top line.
“I just made a couple moves and tapped it in,” Rearic said.
“It’s easy to put points up when guys are moving for ya,” Gross responded.
Rearic said next week’s game “could decide the season.”
“We have to play hard and see if we can get the outcome we’re looking for,” Rearic said.
Gross said the team has to keep improving before the PIHL playoffs.
In addition to Rearic’s first-period hat trick, Gross registered four points (a goal and three assists) and Kooltyn Livengood had three assists – two of which on short-handed goals.
Fox Chapel fell to 7-9 on the season.
Captain Ben Friedland scored three of Fox Chapel’s four goals, and commented that the lack of healthy players hurt their game last night.
“A little short bench hurt us,” he said.
Included among the inactive players was the team’s best defenseman, Jonny Rice. There were also some forwards missing which added to the team’s deficit.
Friedland was optimistic about the rest of the team’s season, noting health as a primary factor.
“If we can get healthy again, and get all our guys back I think we can do well moving forward,” Friedland concluded.
Armstrong recorded their highest shot total of the season – 65 – and registered the third-most goals -10.
Armstrong’s next game against second-place Greater Latrobe will be played Thursday at Kirk S. Nevin Arena in Greensburg.
Local Sports | jweaver January 15, 2016
By carlbroPA, January 15, 2016 @ 11:37 PM
what can you possibly say except “AWESOME!!!!!”?