Mixed reviews for PIHL overtime format, but Mars is prepared
Tri-State Sports & News Services
Mars incorporated quite a bit of its practice time to prepare for the new overtime shootout format instituted by the PIHL this season.
So far the Planets are also the only team that has had any success. On Monday, Mars won its second game this season in the shootout with a 5-4 victory over North Hills. Earlier in the year, the Planets won the first-ever regular season shootout in a 1-0 win against Hampton.
Mars has not gone beyond its three initial shooters, Zach Koerbel, Will Scurci and Patrick Roach to get the job done in those situations. What also helps is that sophomore goaltender Danny Mitchell has been up to the task when called upon in those situations.
“It’s something that e work on quite a bit,” Mars coach Steve Meyers said. “We have three guys that are really good at it and our goaltender is real solid as well, so I think we’re going to be tough to beat in those.”
Prior to the season the PIHL adapted the NHL overtime format with a fiveminute 3-on- 3 followed by a best-of- 3 shootout. If the teams remain tied after the first three shooters, they must expend their entire bench before a shooter can have a second crack.
Last season the league decided to implement the format for the PIHL All-Star games in the eventuality any of the four games went to overtime. As it turned out, the Class 3A game went to a 3-on- 2 and then a shootout when North Allegheny’s Erik Chidester beat Tigers teammate Ryan Heil with the winning goal.
Though the league has approved the overtime-shootout format for this season, it has so far had mixed reviews.
“It wasn’t because we lost a game, but I don’t like the format, I don’t like the 3-on- 3 overtime at the varsity hockey level,” Hampton coach Dave Anderson said. “Honestly we have a game like we played with Mars that was so even all the way down to the penalties and, honestly, I think the best way that game could have ended was a tie, because that’s what both teams earned.”
Though Mars has been the biggest beneficiary of the new system, even the Planets see the potential for flaws.
“I think it’s better than ties, but I’m not real crazy about the 3-on-3 because I think that it really plays into some teams’ advantages more than others,” Meyers said.
“I think it’s very exciting and, as coach, I don’t like playing the whole game and have it decided by a 3-on-3. Over 82 games like the NHL that’s one thing, but when you only play so many games, to have your season potentially decided by that kind of format, I’m not real crazy about it, but it is exciting.”
Upper St. Clair
It was only six years ago that Upper St. Clair won both the PIHL Class 3A Penguins Cup as well as the state championship.
Now, after a couple of subpar seasons, the Panthers dropped down to Class 2A this season for the first time. And so far, the team is flourishing.
Heading into its game Thursday against reigning two-time Class 1A champion Franklin Regional, Upper St. Clair is 3-0- 0 and tied with Hempfield for first place in the South/East Division. But considering that the team is playing down for the first time ever, there are still quite a few bugs that need to be worked out when it comes to getting to know its opponents. “We talk to a few other coaches and talk to some of our players who know some of the other kids from different teams,” Upper St. Clair coach Ray Conway said. “We just have to try to get some tape on some of these upcoming teams and rely on some other players and coaches that we know to give up some more information.”
Upper St. Clair also has something of a chip on its shoulder after getting dropped in classification.
“We had two very challenging seasons and that’s where we are right now is where we deserve to be,” Conway said. “We’re not concerned with triple, or double or single right now. We’re just concerned about our next game.”