Dagnal leads PT into PIHL finals
Jonathan Dagnal fired in three goals and added an assist as Peters Township (18-4) breezed by Penn-Trafford, 6-1, in a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League Class AAA semifinal game played at the RMU Island Sports Center.
With the win, the Indians advanced to the Penguins Cup final where they will face off at 9 p.m. March 17 against Bethel Park (19-3) at the Consol Energy Center. The Indians have competed in the past two PIHL finals, falling to North Allegheny in 2013 and to Bethel Park in 2012.
Dagnal started the scoring 77 seconds into the contest. He tacked on his second tally 33 seconds later at 1:50. Adam Alavi assisted the first goal while Sam Barnes dished up the puck on the second score.
In the second stanza, PT extended its lead, 4-0, when Carter Ekberg scored on the power play at 3:32 and Gavin Rebholz registered a tally at 12:04. Alavi and Dagnal assisted Ekberg while Jacob Dachille and Zachery Gielarowski were credited with assists on Rebholz’s goal.
Though Cameron Williams prevented Brian Baker from recording the shutout with his tally 44 seconds prior to intermission, the Warriors would not come back as PT tacked on two more goals in the third period.
Dagnal recorded the hat trick at the 2:52 mark in the frame. Alavi and Ekberg assisted.
Matt Amelio got on the scoreboard with a goal 16 seconds later at 3:08. Gielarowski and Brady Cochrane assisted.
The Indians put 34 shots on goal. Baker turned away 35 of 36 by the Warriors, who finished the season at 13-9-1 overall.