Armstrong, Freeport Host Playoff Hockey Games Tomorrow
The Armstrong River Hawks surround Goaltender Jacob Lorigan during last week’s game versus Plum. The team hopes to learn from their mistakes before this Thursday’s home playoff game versus Quaker Valley (KP File Photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
Both the Armstrong River Hawks and the Freeport Yellow Jackets will start their chase for the Penguins Cup on their home ice.
Armstrong – who topped the Class AA Eastern Conference after the regular season despite a senior night loss to the Plum Mustangs last week – will host the Quaker Valley Quakers tomorrow night at 7PM at the Belmont Complex in East Franklin Township.
An old rival since Quaker Valley cast aside former Kittanning hockey squads on their way to three straight Penguins Cup championships (in 2012, 2013 and 2014), Armstrong may have the upper hand this year as Quaker Valley had to outlast Fox Chapel in a play-in game Monday evening at the Baierl Ice Complex in Warrendale.
Both teams did not meet in the post season last year, either, as Armstrong moved to Class AA after Kittanning and Ford City merged while Quaker Valley remained in Class A.
Both Armstrong and Quaker Valley lost in their respective Penguins Cup Final games March 14 at Consol Energy Center.
Last week, Armstrong Head Coach Doug Anthony said he hopes his players come into tomorrow night’s game with a team attitude.
Senior Defensemen Zane and Donovan Wichowski looked forward to moving on from the Senior Night loss and the first-round matchup.
Armstrong beat Quaker Valley 8-6 in their only regular season matchup at the beginning of January – with Team Captain Luke Gross leading the `Hawks with four goals and two assists at that matchup at the Belmont Complex.
Following Armstrong’s game, the Freeport Yellow Jackets will then take the Belmont ice at 9PM for a matchup with South Fayette.
Winners of eight straight games, the Yellow Jackets – led by Senior Forward Robert Reichenbaugh – will look to avenge their first-round playoff loss to last season’s eventual Penguins Cup Champion Mars.
Tickets for each game are $5 each, with children 11-and-under entering the arena for free.
Local Sports | jweaver March 2, 2016
