🏒 2024/25 PIHA Minor Division Finals Preview

The 2024/25 PIHA Minor Division Finals hit the floor on Friday, March 28th, with six teams—each a champion of their division—set to battle for the league’s most coveted trophy. These teams represent the best from across the country and will first compete in a round-robin format, playing three games each to determine seeding.

The top two seeds will earn byes into the Saturday semifinals, while seeds 3–6 face off in single-elimination quarterfinals. The winners move on, and by Saturday evening, the championship series begins—a best-of-three format concluding on Sunday, March 30th.

📅 Full Tournament Schedule

🟩 Mach 1 Moustache

Division: Metropolitan
Season Record: 14-3-3
Playoff Record: 4-1
Notable Wins: Champion Impact (2x), Empire State Legends Gold (3x)
Previous Matchups: Lost to Marple (8-4), Lost to Empire Black (2-1)

🔑 Key to Victory:

Balanced scoring. With Greg and Tom Cartwright leading the offense and steady production from Tyler Rifice and Tom Palermo, Mach 1 can hurt teams from multiple lines. They also have playoff experience, playing tight games in elimination settings.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:

Goaltending has been inconsistent, with three different netminders splitting duties in the playoffs and an average GAA over 2.50. In a tight playoff setting, they’ll need a hot hand to emerge.

🔵 Empire State Legends Black

Division: Atlantic
Season Record: 19-0-1
Playoff Record: 4-0
Notable Wins: Champion Trash Pandas (3x), Mach 1 (2-1), Empire State Gold (6-0)
Previous Matchups: Beat Mach 1 Moustache (2-1), Beat Marple (4-1)

🔑 Key to Victory:

Defensive lockdown. With Sean Connolly posting a perfect GAA in playoffs and a deep blueline in front of him, Empire Black can shut teams down. They also have a top penalty kill, allowing few quality looks.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:

Scoring depth. Outside of Bailey Sparacio and Matt Russo, secondary scoring could be a concern if games turn high-scoring. They win with structure but might struggle in shootouts.

🔴 Marple SK Labeda Gladiators

Division: Keystone
Season Record: 12-8-0
Playoff Record: 4-1
Notable Wins: Steel City (4x), Susquehanna Scream (3x), Mach 1 (8-4)
Previous Matchups: Beat Mach 1 (8-4), Lost to Empire Black (4-1)

🔑 Key to Victory:

Offensive depth. With five players over a point-per-game pace in the playoffs, Marple’s forward group—led by Don Susini —can dictate games with puck possession and creative zone entries.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:

Penalty troubles. The Gladiators can be drawn into physical scrums and took too many penalties during tight divisional games. That could cost them against disciplined teams like Empire State.  It is rumored they will be short a few key players.

🟡 Apex Title Wave Mops

Division: Southeast
Season Record: 17-3-0
Playoff Record: 4-1
Notable Wins: Jacksonville Citrus Kings (4x), Asheville Aces (2x)
Previous Matchups: No prior games vs Finals opponents

🔑 Key to Victory:

Goaltending and special teams. Bradley McHugh has posted a 1.33 GAA in the postseason, and the Mops boast one of the top power plays in the Southeast Division. Chris Martinez and Colton Henley lead a balanced scoring attack.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:

Lack of crossover experience. Apex has not played any of the other five finalists this season. Adapting quickly to the elevated tempo and physicality of northern and western teams will be crucial.

🟣 Lambs Grove Leaf Ray

Division: Rocky Mountain East
Season Record: 12-7-1
Playoff Record: 4-1
Notable Wins: Monument Thunder (4x), Falcon Vikings (4x)
Previous Matchups: Split series vs Mile High Tugboats (2-2)

🔑 Key to Victory:

Elite top line. Justin Humphrey (15 pts) and Caiden Anderson (12 pts) are the most dangerous duo entering the Finals. If they get time and space, Lambs Grove can outscore just about anyone.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:

High-event games. While explosive, their games tend to be chaotic. If their defense and goaltending falter, it could open the door for more structured teams to control the pace.

🟠 Mile High Mavin Tugboats

Division: Rocky Mountain West
Season Record: 17-2-1
Playoff Record: 4-0
Notable Wins: Manitou Vikings (4x), Pikes Peak Thunder (4x)
Previous Matchups: Split series vs Lambs Grove Leaf Ray (2-2)

🔑 Key to Victory:

Two-way discipline. Matt Clift leads both the power play and defensive zone with confidence, and goaltender Kyle Williams has allowed just 2 goals in 3 playoff starts. Mile High plays smart, structured roller hockey.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:

Limited experience outside the West. Like Apex, they haven't faced the eastern powerhouses this season. How they handle faster, high-skill offenses like Marple or Mach 1 will determine their ceiling.

🔚 What to Expect

This year’s Finals field is diverse and deeply competitive. Each team brings a distinct identity—whether it’s the scoring punch of Lambs Grove, the defensive might of Empire State, or the balanced structure of Marple. The round robin will be key in establishing rhythm and seeding, especially for teams like Apex and Mile High, who have limited exposure to other regional champions.

Expect fast-paced, physical hockey with special teams playing a big role, especially given the tournament format’s intensity. Teams with strong goaltending tandems and discipline will have the edge over those relying solely on offense.

Who has the edge?
The Atlantic and Keystone divisions come in battle-hardened with deeper benches, while the Rocky Mountain teams bring speed and volume scoring. Expect tight matchups, surprises in the elimination rounds, and a championship series that could easily go three games.