This year’s Class A title matchup features two teams that have been to the big game in the last two years. No. 3 seed Pittsford returns to finals looking to capture a second title in the last three years after just missing out last year. No. 4 seed Portside Royals returns to the sectional finals for a second year in a row in search of their first Class A title. Here’s what you need to know:
No. 3 seed PITTSFORD PANTHERS (17-3-2/MCPSAC Division)
vs.
No. 4 seed PORTSIDE ROYALS (14-8-0/MCPSAC Division)
How they arrived here: Pittsford (No. 4 NYSSWA Division I) got themselves a first-round bye to the quarterfinals and picked up a 6-1 victory over No. 6 seed Greece Storm and then earned a 1-0 double overtime victory over No. 2 seed McQuaid in the semifinals. Portside also received a first-round bye to the quarterfinals and collected a 3-0 victory over No. 5 seed Spartan Hockey and then defeated top-seed Hilton 2-1 in the semifinals.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM LAURA ACCIAIO.
Trends: Pittsford has won 11 of its last 12 contests. The Panthers have five shutouts during that span. Portside is currently on a six-game winning streak. The Royals have scored three-plus goals in five of those contests.
Players to watch for Pittsford: David Pollard So. F 16 goals, 15 assists, 31 points; Keegan Ahern Sr. F 21 goals, 10 assists, 31 points; Peter Yarovinsky So. F 12 goals, nine assists, 21 points; Drew Ricketts Sr. D seven goals, 13 assists, 20 points; Aden Brown Sr. G 9-1-1, three shutouts, 1.67 goals against average, .926 save percentage
Portside Royals: Landen Christ Sr. F 15 goals, 19 assists, 34 points; Justin Pastorella Sr. F 16 goals, 12 assists, 28 points; Wyatt Pentz Fr. F five goals, 14 assists, 19 points; Zachary Haines Jr. F four goals, 12 assists, 16 points; Danny Kucmerowski Sr. G 9-8-0, three shutout, 2.65 goals against average, .920 save percentage.
Coaches: Rory Foster (Pittsford), William McGrath (Portside)
History 101: Pittsford is seeking to win its third sectional title in five seasons. Portside is looking to capture its first Class A championship since Brockport and Spencerport merged to create the Royal team for the 2021-22 season. The two teams met in last year’s Class A semifinals. The fifth seeded Royals defeated the top-seeded Panthers 4-1.
What’s next: The winner will move onto the 2025 NYSPHSAA quarterfinal on March 8.
Puck drop is scheduled for Monday at 5:00 p.m. at Gene Polisseni Center on the campus of RIT.
Leave a Reply