Gross Scores Lone Goal in Playoff Loss to Mars

by Jonathan Weaver

Senior Team Captain Luke Gross scored his last goal in an Armstrong River Hawks jersey last night.

Gross’ 31st goal of the season in the second period tied the playoff game at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center and Jace Rearic added a goal late in the third period, but it was not enough for the River Hawks to get past the Mars Planets and into the Class AA Penguins Cup Finals.

Armstrong, who was considered the home team, lost 5-2.

Seniors Zane and Donovan Wichowski assisted Gross on the power play goal about two minutes into the second period and Gross assisted Rearic late in the game.

Armstrong Goaltender Jacob Lorigan was bested by Mars’ Noah Raymundo twice, Senior Owen Vasbinder twice and Keaton Hanna.

Mars now faces Bishop Canevin for the Class AA crown at 8:30PM Monday, March 14 at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township.

Bishop Canevin, a Catholic high school based in the Oakwood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, beat Baldwin 4-2 in their playoff matchup earlier Monday evening

Mars won the Class A Penguins Cup last March against Quaker Valley at Consol Energy Center

Armstrong won their first-round game 7-0 against Quaker Valley at the hometown-Belmont Complex in East Franklin Township March 3 to advance to last night’s matchup on neutral ice.