Monday Playoff Preview

Pittsburgh Central Catholic (2-4, 10-8) @ Peters Township (2-4, 11-7)
When PCC made it's last trip out to Peters over 2 months ago, the Vikings pummeled the host by a 15-4 score. That would be the Vikings last section win before finishing out the regular season with loses to top-seed Mt. Lebanon and both Bethel Park and Sewickley Academy in overtime. However, since the win over Peters Township, PCC has gone 7-5 and offensively averaged over 12 goals per game. The Vikings arsenal has put up big numbers all season, having scored nine or more goals in 13 of 18 games. But in games where the margin of victory or defeat is three goals or less, the Vikings are 0-6 including an 0-4 overtime record. PCC is 5-4 on the road this season.
Peters Township has had a bit of a topsy-turvy season since the loss to the Vikings. The Indians have gone 5-5 and 2-2 in the section with loses to Sewickley in overtime and at Upper St. Clair in triple OT. Peters will need a big night from senior attackman Angelo Toscano who leads the team in goals, 24, and assists, 17. Toscano's fellow attackmen have also put up solid numbers with junior Nico Summaria responsible for 28 points with 16 goals and 12 assists and senior Dan Milavec with 16 goals and 10 assists. Peters is 8-3 at home this season including three consecutive wins heading into the Monday night playoff game.

Bethel Park (2-4, 7-10) @ Shady Side Academy (2-3, 8-8)
The Indians ended the regular season with an identical section record as Pine Richland but thanks to a thrilling double overtime win against the Rams, Shady Side advanced into the WPIAL playoffs based on the head-to-head advantage. Because the Indians took fourth in the D-I North outright, Bethel will make the trip to Shady Side Monday night for the first meeting between the two sides this season. The last time the Blackhawks traveled out to Shady Side was back in 2006 when Bethel lost by an 8-5 score.
Shady Side is 4-2 at home this season against WPIAL opponents including a 15-0 shutout of Taylor Alderdice. The Indians have won its last two straight and in overtime games, Shady Side is 3-0.
Bethel Park dropped five in a row early in the season but since the skid, the Blackhawks finished 5-5 and 2-2 in section play. But Bethel's season can ultimately be summed up in one game, it's overtime win at home over a solid Pittsburgh Central Catholic side. The win for the Vikings would guarantee a spot in the playoffs and eliminate both Bethel's and Peters Township's hopes of competing for the WPIAL championship. But Bethel held the Vikings to seven goals for what would be the second of only three times PCC would be held to such few scores. The Blackhawks are 4-5 on the road this season and 0-3 against teams from the North section of D-I.