🏒 2024/25 PIHA Semi-Pro Division Finals Preview

Location: Pepsi Roller Sports Arena, Colorado Springs
Round Robin Begins: Friday, March 28
Championship Series: Saturday, March 29 – Sunday, March 30
Full Schedule: View Here

🔁 Tournament Format

Six teams have emerged from the grind of their divisional playoff brackets to reach the ultimate stage: the 2024/25 PIHA Semi-Pro Finals. These squads represent the elite of their respective regions and will clash in a high-stakes, fast-paced format.

• Round Robin (March 28–29 AM): Each team will play three games against other finalists to establish seeding for the elimination bracket.

• Quarterfinals (March 29 PM): The 3rd–6th seeds face off in single elimination.

• Semifinals (March 29 PM): The top two seeds await the quarterfinal winners.

• Championship (March 29–30): The last two standing will compete in a best-of-three series to determine the PIHA Semi-Pro Champion.

🔍 Team Previews

🟩 Long Island Empire Snipers
Division: Metropolitan
Season Record: 17-1-2
Playoff Record: 4-1
Notable Wins: Empire State Legends (4-3), Suffolk Sting (5-1), Champion Impact (3x)
Previous Matchups: Beat Empire State Legends (4-3)

🔑 Key to Victory:
Offensive chemistry. Led by skilled forwards and a mobile blue line, Long Island thrives on puck possession and tempo. They can overwhelm opponents with extended zone time and quick strike ability.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:
Overaggressive gaps. In tight games, their defensemen have been caught too deep, leading to breakaway chances the other way. Composure in transition will be critical.  Rumors of a major piece of their team could miss the trip.

🔵 Empire State Labeda Legends
Division: Atlantic
Season Record: 10-8-2
Playoff Record: 4-1
Notable Wins: Suffolk Sting (2x), Champion Trash Pandas (5-2)
Previous Matchups: Lost to Long Island Snipers (4-3), BEat Propel MG 5-3

🔑 Key to Victory:
Two-way depth. This team rolls three steady lines and wears down opponents with smart, disciplined hockey. Their penalty kill has been strong all season, and they don’t give up many high-danger chances.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:
Lack of offensive punch in high-event games. If forced to chase a game or play outside their structure, the offense can go quiet.  

🔴 Propel MG
Division: Keystone
Season Record: 15-5-0
Playoff Record: 4-0
Notable Wins: Steel City Shockwave (3x), Empire State Labeda Legends (4-3), Marple (4-2)
Previous Matchups: Lost to Propel (3-5)

🔑 Key to Victory:
Defensive efficiency. Propel MG slows games down and dictates the pace in the neutral zone. They excel at collapsing to protect the net and are patient on breakouts.

⚠️ Potential Weakness: Very little weakness, but only one goaltender could come back to bite them as the event progresses.

🟡 Raleigh Titlewave Mops
Division: Southeast
Season Record: 17-3-0
Playoff Record: 4-0
Notable Wins: Swept Broadway Blades in Division Final
Previous Matchups: No regular season matchups vs Finals teams

🔑 Key to Victory:
Speed and special teams. Raleigh is dynamic in transition and lethal on the power play. They stretch the floor well and have multiple forwards with breakout speed.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:
Inexperience vs out-of-division opponents. Having not played against the other five finalists this season, adjusting to unfamiliar pace and structure could be challenging early.

🟣 Mile High Blizzard
Division: Rocky Mountain North
Season Record: 16-3-1
Playoff Record: 4-0
Notable Wins: Des Moines Leaf Ray (x4), Denver Stallions, Monument Thunder
Previous Matchups: Lost twice to the Arizona Yotes 

🔑 Key to Victory:
Physicality and possession. The Blizzard are tough on the boards, dominate puck battles, and thrive when cycling low. Their forecheck sets the tone early.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:
Undisciplined penalties. Their aggressive style sometimes leads to shorthanded situations, which could hurt them against elite powerplays like Raleigh or Long Island.

🟠 Arizona Yotes
Division: Rocky Mountain South
Season Record: 17-3-0
Playoff Record: 4-0
Notable Wins: Mile High Blizzard (2x), Arvada Fire (4x), Aurora Royals (x6)
Previous Matchups: Swept season series with Mile High Blizzard (4-3 & 4-3)

🔑 Key to Victory:
Balanced attack. Arizona brings a mix of top-line skill and grinding depth. Their top unit can match anyone in the tournament, and their goaltending is battle-tested.

⚠️ Potential Weakness:
Late-game legs. In longer tournament formats, Arizona has shown signs of fading in third periods. Rotating lines smartly and staying disciplined will be key.

🔚 What to Expect
This year’s Semi-Pro Finals offer an exciting blend of styles and strategies. The east brings structured, tactical roller hockey with smart defensive systems, while the west and south feature bruising forechecks, physicality, and creativity off the rush.

Expect razor-thin margins, big performances from special teams, and breakout stars in net. The round robin will tell us who adapts quickly—especially teams like Raleigh and Arizona, who have little crossover experience.

Who has the edge?
The Atlantic and Metropolitan champs arrive well-tested and balanced, while Rocky Mountain squads boast raw scoring and grit. If speed, depth, and composure matter most in late rounds, look for teams that can blend all three into one complete package.