🏒 2024/25 PIHA Pro Division Finals Preview

The 2024/25 PIHA Pro Division Finals are set to deliver one of the most anticipated championship matchups in the league’s 24-year history. The defending dynasty—the Suffolk Sting—face off against the league’s newest juggernaut—the Naples Labeda Kaos—in a best-of-seven showdown for the PIHA Pro Founder's Cup.

The series will unfold over three intense days at the Pepsi Roller Sports Arena in Colorado Springs. The first two games drop on Friday, March 28th, followed by Games 3 and 4 on Saturday. If needed, Games 5 through 7 will be played on Sunday, March 30th.

Both teams bring firepower, pedigree, and plenty of drama—especially after their two regular season meetings were each decided in overtime.

📅 Full Championship Series Schedule

• Game 1 & 2: Friday, March 28

• Game 3 & 4: Saturday, March 29

• Games 5–7 (if necessary): Sunday, March 30

🔴 Suffolk Sting

Division:East
Season Record: 16-3-1
Playoff Record: 4-0
Previous Matchups: 2-0 vs Naples (both in OT)

🔑 Key to Victory:
Championship experience. The Sting are no strangers to the pressure of Finals weekend—this is their seventh appearance in the last eight seasons. With elite puck movement, smart defensive structure, and playoff-tested depth, Suffolk’s advantage is their ability to win in any style of game.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:
Missing pieces. The absence of last year’s league MVD Jordan Mula is significant, and without top netminder Keith Johnson, the Sting will rely on Brandi or Perepezko between the pipes. While capable, they’ll be tested early and often by Kaos’ high-octane offense.

🔵 Naples Labeda Kaos
Division: Southeast
Season Record: 16-2-2
Playoff Record: 4-2
Previous Matchups: 0-2 vs Suffolk (both OT losses)

🔑 Key to Victory:
Explosive power play. Naples led the league with a 42.5% conversion rate with the man advantage. Their offense is fluid, creative, and dangerous from all angles—especially with their stretch passes and zone entries.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:
No Schiavo, no spark? The league’s top scorer and power play quarterback, John Schiavo, is out for the Finals. His absence dramatically changes the complexion of the Kaos’ attack, forcing secondary scorers into bigger roles and disrupting their lethal special teams setup.

🧊 Regular Season Head-to-Head

• 🟦 Nov 2: Naples Kaos 5 – 6 OT Suffolk Sting

• 🟥 Nov 2: Suffolk Sting 8 – 7 OT Naples Kaos

🔚 What to Expect
This series has everything—an established dynasty defending its crown, and a high-flying expansion team trying to crash the party. Every game in this series is expected to be tight, physical, and fast. Both regular season contests went to overtime, and there’s little reason to expect anything different this weekend.

Look for Suffolk to lean on its system and depth, while Naples will try to push pace and test the Sting’s goaltending early without Schiavo in the lineup. Special teams could be the decider—especially if Naples can adjust their power play without its centerpiece.

Who has the edge?
On paper, this is as even as it gets. The Sting bring the rings and the system, while Kaos brings the firepower and hunger. With seven games in three days, depth, goaltending, and adaptability will decide who lifts the PIHA Pro Cup.