CRANBERRY TWP., Pa. — Peters Township entered Tuesday night’s game looking to defend its 2017 championship. Seneca Valley wanted to play spoiler. Some thought they wouldn’t be up to the challenge.
Hard hits, hard shots and a 4-2 final proved that the Raiders were.
The game looked evenly matched on paper, but it was clear that the Raiders of Seneca Valley had the advantage on the ice, at least in terms of physicality. They cashed in on one of their many chances just over the midway point of the first with a goal by Jackson Blucher. The Indians evened the game at one apiece with a power play goal early in the second by Cal Raymore.
Still, Seneca would not be denied. Two goals within 13 seconds of each other by Tyler Draper and Michael Spokane gave the Raiders a two-goal advantage. Jack Underwood got one back to bring Peters within a goal as the teams headed into the intermission.
The final period of the 2017-18 PIHL season brought two teams that were determined to pull out on top. Peters Township matched the physicality of the Raiders, but couldn’t find the equalizer.
As the Indians pulled the goaltender with a minute to go, Seneca Valley’s Giovanni Sarachine put the empty-netter in to seal the victory and a trip to the state finals. They will face the Flyers Cup champion on Saturday.
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