In the 1996 NCAA hockey tournament, Michigan forward Mike Legg successfully executed a trick play. From behind the net, he picked the puck up on his stick blade and scored on a lacrosse-style wraparound.
The play became known as ‘The Michigan.”
Penn-Trafford coach Brian Zagorac saw a similar play where the team faked the “Michigan,” and it got him thinking.
“When I saw that, I felt we could do that, but better,” Zagorac said. “So we worked on it at practice against goalie Tyler Funk. When it worked on him, it would work on any goalie.
“We called it ‘Friday’ for ‘Fake Michigan.’”
(Courtesy Tenband.TV)
With Penn-Trafford leading 1-0 in the Class 2A Penguins Cup championship game against Hempfield on Monday, Zagorac called his team over to the bench and called “Friday.”
“When I called it, they looked at each other and were excited to run it,” Zagorac said. “Brock (Bienemann) set up behind the goalie. Sean Goodman took a shot, and the rebound came to Jordan (Tucek), who passed to Brock.
“Jordan started yelling ‘Michigan,’ and Brock faked like he was going to the right to attempt a Michigan.
“Meanwhile, Ben (Zierski) swept in from the right to pick up the puck that Brock left behind and scored into an open net.”
Zagorac said Hempfield’s defenders and goalies went with Bienemann because of his puck-handling skills.
“We executed it to perfection,” Zagorac said. “It deflated Hempfield.”
The play has gone viral on the internet and was shown on Pittsburgh Sports Net prior to the Penguins game Wednesday.
Penn-Trafford went on to win its first Pens Cup title, 4-3.
The win puts the Warriors in the state finals at 2 p.m. Saturday against Flyers Cup champion North Penn, the returning 2A champions, at Ice Line in West Chester.
Will the play work again?
“You better get it right the first time because it might be the only time it works,” Zagorac said. “That play gave us confidence. We already lost, according to the experts outside the room.”
The Warriors will a face North Penn (26-1) team that is strong in all phases: scoring, defending and goaltending.
North Penn defeated Boyertown, 3-1, in the Flyers Cup final.
James Boyle was named MVP for the Knights. North Penn has a 47-4 record over the past two years.
North Penn goalie Andy Norton was solid, stopping 16 shots. Declan Leahy and Boyle scored.
“Job is not finished,” Kevin Vaitis told reporters. “We’ve got one more game Saturday. We are going to have to expect another dogfight from the team from Pittsburgh. They’re going to be a good hockey team, and we must come ready to play.”
Penn-Trafford finished third in the Class 2A standings during the regular season.
Zagorac said his team has fought through injuries all season, but now the Warriors are as healthy as they have been all year.
Zagorac said the team came together during a game against Baldwin when the Warriors were down to 10 players.
Forward Max Tamborski, forward Brendan Probola, forward Roman Catello, defenseman Mason Driskill and forward Nico Castelli came up big.
“The entire team played well,” Zagorac said. “We got big goals and made big plays. It brought the team together.
“It gave them confidence. They took advantage of their opportunity and have not looked back.”
Zagorac said Goodman also made move to benefit the team, switching from forward to defense to strengthen the lineup.