Pitt headed back to national tournament
every day and not look confidence right now.” ahead in a single elimination Pitt, which is riding a sixgame tournament.” winning streak, closes
In 2017, Pitt lost in the first the regular season on home round to Oklahoma, 3-2, in ice Friday (9:20 p.m.) against overtime at the national John Carroll at the Alpha Ice tournament, which is played Complex in Harmarville. It at Nationwide Arena, home will then move on to the ice of the NHL’s Blue Jackets. CHA playoffs and, ultimately, The loss stung, but it also the ACHA national served as a teaching moment tournament. for Pitt’s braintrust. When asked if his team
“We got a chance to see had a legitimate shot at winning the best teams and what it it all, Rulnick answered was like to play at a big in the affirmative. event,” said J.D. Oddi, a senior He also offered a gentle reminder captain from Canonthat some programs McMillan High. “We have at nationals do not face the more knowledge and a better strict academic requirements idea of what it takes to his program does. win there now.” Others, meanwhile, feature
The Pitt roster is veritable everything from a large who’s who of former PIHL number of Canadian imports stars. The team’s top four (Central Oklahoma) to scorers hail from the region. older rosters with 21- and 22That group includes Dan year-old freshmen (Ohio Merz (27 points, Norwin), Jacob University). Tepe (22, Central Catholic), Rulnick, a former coach Oddi (22) and Craig Mazzotta at Plum High, said he has (20, Mars). pretty much seen it all.
“We don’t have a dominating “I’ll never forget the time player that has 50 or when a guy walked into the 60 points, but we have a lot of rink with his wife and he kids who step up when we was holding a baby,” Rulnick need them to,” Rulnick said. said. “One of my players
Like all contenders, Pitt said to me, ‘Is that the features a talented goalie in coach you were just talking sophomore Matthewto?’ I said, ‘No, that’s one of Snader, who is 15-5 with a the defensemen you’ll be 2.44 goals-against average. A playing in a couple minutes.’” native of Pottstown, his experience in the national Rulnick let out a laugh. tournament last season Then he re-focused on his could be invaluable next smart and talented team. month. “These guys are all great
“He’s one of the top goaltenders leaders, guys who have figured in the ACHA,” Rulnick out how to balance athletics said. “He has a lot of and academics,” said Rulnick, whose team sports the old-school mustard and blue Pitt colors, down to the script lettering. “They’ve established a winning culture here. When I first started, no one even knew Pitt had a hockey team. Now, people are starting to talk about us. That’s a big deal for this program.”
One of the WPIAL’s most dynamic talents is taking the junior-college route.
Jeannette’s Robert Kennedy, who was presented the Small School Mr. PA Football award over the weekend,
Freeport’s Jenna Manke (Allegheny), Seton LaSalle’s Layni Ziegler (Mount Union).
Soccer commitment
Chartiers Valley’s Nate Wood (Slippery Rock).