Apex, Scenic City Shine as PIHA Returns to the Palmetto State

The PIHA made a long-awaited return to South Carolina on Saturday, January 10, as The Pavilion Recreation Complex in Greenville hosted its first-ever PIHA Minor festival and the league’s first Palmetto State event in nearly two decades. All six Piedmont Division teams were on hand, each playing four games in a tightly packed schedule that served as the regular-season finale for the division. Apex Title Wave Mops and the Edge Konixx Scenic City Snipers both delivered perfect 4-0 days, while Champion Asheville Aces showcased explosive firepower to secure a winning record. Cary Title Wave Mops, Mavin Puff Puff Passers, and Hendersonville Broadway Blades each had their moments but ultimately found themselves chasing the leaders. The festival also served as the opening half of a Greenville doubleheader, with the Semi-Pro division following immediately afterward, setting the stage for a playoff return to The Pavilion in February.

Game-by-Game Recaps

Apex Title Wave Mops 4, Cary Title Wave Mops 0 – Apex sets the early tone

The day opened with an all-Title Wave matchup, and Apex wasted no time staking its claim as the team to beat. Apex controlled possession and generated steady pressure, building a 2–0 lead in the first half and never looking back. Goaltender Tyler Bartle was sharp, turning aside all 16 shots he faced to record the shutout. Cary pushed for a response in the second half, but Apex’s structure and depth up front closed out a convincing 4–0 victory.

Edge Konixx Scenic City Snipers 4, Champion Asheville Aces 3 (OT) – Scenic City survives first thriller

Game two produced the first dramatic finish of the day as Scenic City edged Asheville in overtime. Asheville carried much of the early play, but Scenic City clawed back, with Nick King and Ethan Williams sparking the offense and forcing the game past regulation. In overtime, King buried the winner on a feed from Williams to complete the comeback and give Scenic City its first win of what would become a perfect day. Asheville still came away with an important point from the overtime loss, thanks to a strong effort led by forwards like Dustin Disbro and Logan Garst.

Mavin Puff Puff Passers 5, Hendersonville Broadway Blades 2 – Mavin starts strong

Mavin opened its festival schedule with a solid 5–2 win over Hendersonville. After a cautious start by both clubs, Mavin’s transition game began to tilt the ice, turning neutral-zone turnovers into quality chances. Hendersonville responded with sporadic pressure but could not solve Mavin’s goaltending often enough to close the gap. A late push by the Blades narrowed the scoreline, but Mavin’s early finishing and special teams proved the difference.

Apex Title Wave Mops 6, Champion Asheville Aces 0 – Apex statement shutout

Apex made its first true statement of the day with a dominant 6–0 win over Asheville. The Title Wave were relentless on the forecheck, forcing turnovers and converting quickly off the rush; several multi-point efforts powered them to a comfortable lead. Asheville generated chances but ran into a hot goaltender and could not find a way to break the shutout. The win moved Apex to 2–0 and underscored their depth across all four games.

Cary Title Wave Mops 3, Hendersonville Broadway Blades 2 – Cary grinds out first win

Cary earned its first win of the day in a tight 3–2 decision over Hendersonville. The Mops built a lead through hard work along the walls and quick puck movement in the offensive zone, with the blue line contributing offensively. Hendersonville showed resilience, twice cutting into the deficit and generating late pressure. Cary’s defensive structure held in the closing minutes, with key clears and timely goaltending preserving the one-goal victory.

Edge Konixx Scenic City Snipers 5, Mavin Puff Puff Passers 4 (OT) – Scenic City’s second overtime escape

Scenic City and Mavin delivered another thriller as the Snipers prevailed 5–4 in overtime. Mavin pushed the pace early and traded goals with Scenic City in a back-and-forth contest that saw momentum swing multiple times. Scenic City’s attack, led by Caden Gersky and Nick King, kept finding answers, forcing extra time yet again. In overtime, the Snipers capitalized on a rush opportunity to secure their second OT victory of the day, while Mavin settled for a hard-earned point.  This marks Puff Puff's sixth overtime loss of the season, a PIHA record.

Champion Asheville Aces 2, Cary Title Wave Mops 1 – Aces win a defensive battle

Asheville and Cary squared off in a low-scoring, defensive affair that contrasted sharply with some of the day’s earlier shootouts. Asheville found the opener and then leaned on disciplined structure through the neutral zone to frustrate Cary’s attack. Cary did break through to tie the game, but the Aces capitalized on a late opportunity to reclaim the lead. Goaltender Brandon Shirley provided steady work in net, and Asheville locked down the final minutes to secure a 2–1 win.

Apex Title Wave Mops 5, Mavin Puff Puff Passers 1 – Apex stays perfect

In their third outing, Apex again imposed its will, this time in a 5–1 win over Mavin. Apex’s speed through the middle of the rink created matchup problems, generating odd-man rushes and extended offensive-zone time. Mavin managed to break the shutout bid but could not slow Apex’s rolling attack. The victory pushed Apex to 3–0 on the day and continued a run in which they allowed just a single goal across those three contests.

Edge Konixx Scenic City Snipers 4, Hendersonville Broadway Blades 2 – Scenic City finds its stride

Scenic City’s only regulation win came in a 4–2 decision over Hendersonville. The Snipers were fueled by a breakout performance from Caden Gersky, who recorded a hat trick while Nick King and Blaine Ennis added key contributions. Hendersonville actually struck first and stayed within a goal deep into the game, but Scenic City’s power play and puck movement eventually pulled them clear. Goaltender Ethan Williams was strong, turning away 25 of 27 shots to keep the Blades at bay.

Champion Asheville Aces 11, Mavin Puff Puff Passers 4 – Aces unleash offensive explosion

The most lopsided game of the festival saw Asheville erupt for 11 goals against Mavin. Led by standout efforts from forwards like Dustin Disbro and Logan Garst, the Aces piled up scoring chances off the rush and on the cycle. Mavin battled and found the net four times, but every push was answered by another Asheville surge. The win showcased the Aces’ high-end offensive ceiling and secured a winning day in Greenville.

Apex Title Wave Mops 7, Hendersonville Broadway Blades 1 – Apex closes with authority

Apex capped its perfect festival with a 7–1 win over Hendersonville in the late afternoon. The Title Wave once again combined tight defensive zone coverage with ruthless finishing in transition, quickly building a multi-goal lead. Hendersonville continued to work but struggled to generate sustained pressure against Apex’s organized defensive core. The result completed a 4–0 sweep for Apex and further cemented their status as one of the division’s most balanced lineups.

Edge Konixx Scenic City Snipers 2, Cary Title Wave Mops 1 (OT) – Scenic City’s OT magic, part three

The final game of the day delivered one more dose of drama as Scenic City edged Cary 2–1 in overtime. Cary struck first on a goal from defender Connor McCabe, and goaltender Donovan McCullough was outstanding, stopping 21 of 23 shots to keep his team in front for much of the game. Scenic City eventually equalized on a second-period tally, then once again turned to Nick King in overtime; King buried the winner for his second goal of the night, with Blaine Ennis adding another assist. The OT victory delivered Scenic City a 4–0 festival record, with three of those wins coming after regulation.

Team-by-Team Breakdown (Piedmont Division)

Apex Title Wave Mops

Apex authored a statement day in Greenville, finishing 4–0 with wins over Cary, Asheville, Mavin, and Hendersonville while outscoring opponents by a wide margin and allowing only two total goals. Their combination of structured defending, reliable goaltending from Tyler Bartle, and a deep forward group gave them control in virtually every matchup.
In the updated Piedmont standings, Apex’s festival sweep solidifies them as one of the division’s pace-setters heading into the playoffs, putting them firmly in the mix for top seeding on the path to Colorado Springs.

Edge Konixx Scenic City Snipers

Scenic City matched Apex win for win, going 4–0 with three overtime victories and one convincing regulation win over Hendersonville. The Snipers showed resilience all day, repeatedly finding late equalizers and OT winners behind standout performances from Nick King, Caden Gersky, and goaltender Ethan Williams.
Their perfect record in Greenville positions Scenic City as a legitimate contender near the top of the Piedmont table, with their ability to win tight, one-goal games giving them a dangerous profile for playoff hockey.

Champion Asheville Aces

Asheville’s 2–1–1 festival record was highlighted by the 11-goal outburst against Mavin and a gritty 2–1 win over Cary, offset by a shutout loss to Apex and an overtime defeat to Scenic City. When their offense is rolling, the Aces look like one of the most explosive teams in the division, with players such as Dustin Disbro and Logan Garst leading the way.
In the final Piedmont standings, Asheville’s steady body of work throughout the season keeps them solidly in the playoff picture, likely in the middle of the pack but with enough firepower to threaten any higher seed in a short series.

Cary Title Wave Mops

Cary’s day was a study in narrow margins: a shutout loss to Apex, a one-goal win over Hendersonville, and one-goal defeats to both Asheville and Scenic City (the latter in overtime). Their 1–2–1 record does not fully reflect how competitive they were, particularly considering Donovan McCullough’s strong goaltending performance and contributions from skaters like Connor McCabe and Nicholas Johnson.
In the standings, Cary ends the regular season in the middle tier of the Piedmont division, lining them up as a dangerous spoiler that can push any of the top teams if they convert more of these one-goal games in the postseason.

Mavin Puff Puff Passers

Mavin opened with promise in a 5–2 win over Hendersonville and pushed Scenic City to overtime, but later losses to Apex and Asheville produced a 1–2–1 line on the day. Offensively, they showed flashes—particularly early in the schedule—but struggled to contain the division’s top attacks as the day wore on.
Despite the up-and-down festival, Mavin closes out the regular season still in the mix in the Piedmont standings, likely slotted in the lower half but with enough offensive punch to threaten an upset if they find consistency in Greenville next month.

Hendersonville Broadway Blades

Hendersonville’s 0–4 record does not fully capture their effort level; the Blades were within a goal or two in several contests before late pushes by their opponents pulled games out of reach. Goaltender Daniel Keaton saw heavy shot volumes, and players like Tucker Keen and Adrian Bullard provided some of the offensive highlights in otherwise challenging matchups.
In the final Piedmont standings, Hendersonville will enter the playoffs as an underdog seed, but their experience battling the division’s top teams all season could make them a pesky opponent for whichever favorite draws them in the first round.

Individual Standouts

• Nick King, Edge Konixx Scenic City Snipers – Delivered multiple clutch performances, including OT winners against both Asheville and Cary, and added key goals in the win over Hendersonville. King’s knack for scoring in critical moments was a defining storyline of Scenic City’s 4–0 day.

• Caden Gersky & Ethan Williams, Edge Konixx Scenic City Snipers – Gersky’s hat trick against Hendersonville and consistent production across four games, combined with Williams’ calm goaltending and heavy workload, gave Scenic City the balance needed to keep winning tight contests.

• Apex Title Wave leadership group – Apex’s top skaters and goaltending tandem collectively drove a 4–0 day, mixing shutouts, stifling defense, and multi-goal performances in wins over every other top contender in Greenville.

• Dustin Disbro & Logan Garst, Champion Asheville Aces – Sparked the Aces’ explosive 11-goal performance against Mavin and were central figures in the win over Cary, giving Asheville a dynamic one-two punch up front.

• Connor McCabe & Donovan McCullough, Cary Title Wave Mops – McCabe’s timely goal against Scenic City and McCullough’s 21-save performance in that same contest kept Cary in games against top opponents and underlined their ability to hang with the division’s best.

• Tucker Keen & Adrian Bullard, Hendersonville Broadway Blades – Provided key offensive sparks for Hendersonville, including both goals in the loss to Scenic City, and continued to compete in every game despite tough matchups.

What’s Next

With the Greenville festival in the books, the Piedmont Division’s regular season is officially complete and the standings are locked, as reflected on the PIHA stats page.   All eyes now turn back to The Pavilion Recreation Complex, which will again host these six Minor teams for the division playoffs on February 21–22 in Greenville. There, Apex, Scenic City, and Asheville will try to convert strong regular-season finishes into hardware, while Cary, Mavin, and Hendersonville look to flip the script and engineer upsets. At stake is not only a divisional crown, but also the opportunity to advance one step closer to Colorado Springs and the PIHA Finals at the end of March.