There will be a first Monday in the PIHL Class 2A Pens Cup final.
Either No. 1 seed Hempfield or No. 3 Penn-Trafford will win its Pens Cup title.
It will also be the first Westmoreland County team since Latrobe in 2013 to win the Pens Cup in Class 2A.
Both come into the finals riding similar styles: potent offenses, solid defense and outstanding goalies.
Both are coming off 6-2 victories in the semifinals. Hempfield defeated No. 4 Bethel Park, and Penn-Trafford handled No. 7 Latrobe.
“You never know what to expect in the playoffs,” Penn-Trafford coach Brian Zagarac said. “Both teams can play different styles.
“This is the healthiest we have been a lot season. We have gotten back from injuries and other reasons. The players are excited about the game.”
Penn-Trafford held the top spot in Class 2A or much of the season before Hempfield and Armstrong overtook it.
Now the Warriors have turned things around.
Jordan Tucek had a hat trick against Latrobe. Zach Grkman added two goals and one assist, Ben Zierski had five assists and Brock Bienemann had four assists.
“I am excited for the seniors,” Zagorac said. “They are an excellent group, and they are feeling it. They are ready to step up.”
The Warriors got a solid effort from goalie Tyler Funk.
Hempfield goalie Evan Saltzgiver is a big reason the Spartans are in the finals.
He made 34 saves, many in the first two periods when Bethel Park controlled the play but not the scoreboard.
Nino DiPietro scored on a wrist shot from inside the blue line and added a short-handed goal to push the lead to 4-1.
Hempfield also killed numerous penalties, including a two-man disadvantage.
“We have been getting stronger all season,” Hempfield coach Mike Albright said. “We have been playing well. This team has jelled.”
The Spartans have gotten solid offensive performances from three different lines.
DiPietro is their top goal scorer with 18. J.J. Williams has 17, Guerin Gardner 16 and Jonathan Holtzman 14.
The Spartans have been scoring a lot of goals down the stretch.
“It should be an exciting game,” Albright said. “The key is staying focused and playing our game.
“Penn-Trafford is good. We must make sure we keep Brock, Sean and Ben in check.”
Class 2A Pens Cup Championship
1-Hempfield (18-3) vs. 3-Penn-Trafford (17-5)
When: 6:15 p.m., Monday
Where: UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, Cranberry
Titles: Hempfield 0, Penn-Trafford 0
How they reached the finals: Hempfield defeated Erie Prep, 4-2, (Nino DiPietro 2 assists) and Bethel Park, 6-2, (DiPietro 2 goals; Nick Crupie 2 goals, 1 assist; J.J. Williams 3 assists). Penn-Trafford defeated Shaler, 6-3, (Brock Bienemann 2 goals and 2 assists; Sean Goodman had 2 goals and 2 assists) and Latrobe, 6-2 (Jordan Tucek 3 goals; Zach Grkman 2 goals, 1 assist; Ben Zierski 5 assists, Brock Bienemann 4 assists).
Coaches: Hempfield: Mike Albright (first season); Penn-Trafford: Brian Zagorac (second season).
Season matchups: Penn-Trafford 6-4, on Nov. 10; Hempfield, 7-3, on Dec. 22.
Goal leaders: Hempfield: Nino DiPietro 18, J.J. Williams 17, Guerin Gardner 16, Jonathan Holtzman 14. Penn-Trafford: Sean Goodman 23, Brock Bienemann 12.
Points leaders: Hempfield: Guerin Gardner 42, J.J. Williams 33, Nino DiPietro 31, Nick Crupie 30, Colby Herron 30, Mats Martz 29; Penn-Trafford: Sean Goodman 38, Ben Zierski 29, Zach Grkman 19, Brock Bienemann 18.
Expected starting goalies: Hempfield: Evan Saltzgiver; Penn-Trafford: Tyler Funk.