Arizona Yotes Sweep Empire State Legends to Capture 2024-25 PIHA Semi-Pro Championship

The Arizona Yotes completed a dominant playoff run by sweeping the Empire State Legends in the 2024-25 PIHA Semi-Pro Championship, capping the series with a commanding 7-2 win in Game 2. The victory marks Arizona’s first Semi-Pro title in franchise history, achieved with a perfect combination of defensive depth, goaltending consistency, and explosive scoring.

Series Recap: Yotes Over Legends, 2-0

Arizona set the tone in Game 1 with a fast-paced, structured performance, taking control early and never allowing the Legends to find their rhythm. They followed it up in Game 2 with an offensive explosion in front of a raucous home crowd. The Yotes outscored the Empire State Legends 13-4 across two games, showcasing their offensive depth and stout blue line.

The Empire State Legends—largely carried by their top-end skill throughout the playoffs—found themselves stifled by Arizona’s relentless puck pressure and high-IQ defensive coverage. While their goaltending kept them in it early, Arizona’s second-period surges in both games proved too much to overcome.

Game 2 Breakdown: Arizona Yotes 7, Empire State Legends 2

After a tightly contested opening frame, Arizona blew the game wide open in the second period with five unanswered goals, turning a 2-1 lead into a full-on rout.

First Period: Tight Battle Early

The first period saw both teams settle in cautiously, with only three total goals scored. Arizona got on the board first with a powerplay goal from Ruben Gonzalez (07:33), assisted by Aydin Schwetz. Gonzalez added another at 4:45, this time at even strength, to give the Yotes a 2-0 lead.

Empire State responded at 2:38 with a goal from Eric Rieger, assisted by Ryan Sheflin and Stephen Falkowski, cutting the deficit in half before the break.

Second Period: Arizona Takes Over

The second period was all Arizona. Forward Zach Hoffman exploded for a natural hat trick, scoring at 9:31 (PP), 8:54, and 2:15, with Brydon Frisk assisting on two of those goals. Frisk added a goal of his own at 6:14, making it a four-point night for the blue-liner.

Aydin Schwetz added a goal to his earlier assist at 5:39, finishing with two points. Arizona scored five goals in just over seven minutes, leaving the Legends reeling.

Empire State’s lone second-period tally came from Will Lalor at 7:30, offering a brief moment of life—but it was quickly drowned out by the Yotes’ barrage.

Goaltending Duel: Hernandez vs. Eoviero

Arizona’s Eric Hernandez was steady once again, stopping 14 of 16 shots to anchor the win. He played all 24 minutes, maintaining composure even during Empire State’s few strong pushes.

Empire State’s Brett Eoviero faced a storm of offense, turning away 18 of 25 shots. Despite the final stat line, he made several key saves early to keep the Legends within reach—before the Yotes’ second-period onslaught overwhelmed his crease.

Stars of the Game

• 1st Star: Zach Hoffman (ARI) – 3 Goals (Natural Hat Trick), 1 Assist

• 2nd Star: Ruben Gonzalez (ARI) – 2 Goals

• 3rd Star: Eric Rieger (NY) – 1 Goal

Arizona’s Core Shines Bright

Championships are won with depth, and the Yotes proved they had it in spades. Hoffman, Gonzalez, Schwetz, and Frisk led the way, but it was the team’s ability to roll all lines and apply structured defensive pressure that earned them the title.

Their powerplay converted twice in Game 2, and they limited the Legends’ chances through disciplined puck management and smart neutral zone play.