Pine-Richland to Face Peters Township in PIHL Quarterfinals

Did you really think it would be anyone else other than Pine-Richland who will play Peters Township tonight in the PIHL Penguins Cup quarterfinals?

The matchup between the Peters Township Indians and the Pine-Richland Rams was confirmed Tuesday night, when Elizabeth Forward defeated Moon, 6-2, at the Rostraver Ice Arena.

The Elizabeth Forward win, coupled with Pine-Richland’s 5-3 win over Erie Cathedral Prep, sets up the 8:50 p.m. game at the Iceoplex at Southpointe, for a chance to win a trip to the Penguins Cup semifinals next week at Consol Energy Center.

It also sets up what has become a tradition in springtime high school hockey.

Heck, a meeting between the two schools is almost as inevitable as the Pittsburgh Penguins playing the Washington Capitals somewhere on the road to the Stanley Cup.

This will be the third time the traditional rivals have played each other this season. Peters Township won the Outdoor Winter Classic 6-0 back on Jan. 28, and the Indians won the second encounter 8-3 on Feb. 7 at the Iceoplex.

The Rams have had to claw their way into the playoffs, while the Indians have coasted to finishing first overall in the PIHL AA division. Peters Township has been off since last Friday night after a win over Thomas Jefferson.

Playoff hockey, with only one game separating a chance to move on or go home, brings out the best in teams, and the traditional playoff rivalry between the two schools makes Wednesday night's game particularly intriguing.

Prior to Wednesday night's game between Peters Township and Pine-Richland, Canon-McMillan, who also had a bye in the first round, will meet Shaler at 6:50 p.m.